Nursing Home Physical Abuse Attorney in Greenville
We Speak up for Those who Cannot Speak for Themselves
When you trust a loved one into someone else’s care, you put your faith in their ability to care for them as diligently and kindly as you would. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. A study conducted by The National Center on Elder Abuse found 44% of nursing home residents had suffered some type of abuse, and 95% had either been neglected or seen someone else neglected. Additionally, a staggering one third of all nursing homes have been cited for abuse violations that directly put patients at risk for physical harm.
If you or a loved one has suffered physical abuse while in a nursing home, you have legal options to defend your rights. At Jordan Law Center, our compassionate personal injury attorney is dedicated to advocating for victim’s rights and want to help you seek compensation.
To request a free consultation, contact Jordan Law Center at (864) 642-0367.
What Constitutes Physical Abuse of an Elderly Person?
In nursing homes, certain types of abuse occur more frequently than others. Because elderly patients are typically weaker and frailer, any kind of physical abuse can prove dangerous and sometimes deadly, and even something as minor as pinching or hair-pulling is inappropriate.
Common types of physical nursing home abuse include:
- Pinching
- Burning
- Pushing or shoving the resident
- Hitting with or without an object
- Shaking or grabbing roughly
- Force-feeding or drinking
- Pulling the resident’s hair
- Using unnecessary physical restraints
- Throwing the resident into his or her bed, wheelchair, or other furniture
These actions, and others, are usually committed out of frustration and impatience. For example, if a patient is eating slowly and poorly, the caretaker may pinch the patient to hurry him or her along, and proceed to force-feed if the patient is still not quick enough. This sort of behavior, even if it does not leave a physical mark, is still considered abusive and should be dealt with immediately.
Know the Signs of Physical Abuse
Just like with any other type of abuse, a nursing home patient suffering mistreatment will usually show physical signs from their abuser. In general, if your loved one is exhibiting strange or abnormal behavior, ask them if anything is wrong. Additionally, if you notice that the facility is prohibiting you from visiting your loved one, this could be a warning sign.
Symptoms of physical abuse include:
- Weight loss
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Unexplainable bruises
- Bedsores
- Marks of forced restraint
- Broken bones
- Overmedication
- Unexplained hair loss
What To Do If Your Elderly Loved One Is Being Abused
If you ever recognize symptoms of abuse in your loved one, try to talk with them and find out what is happening. When a person admits to their abuse, you should take them to a doctor for a medical check-up both to ensure their health and to keep a record of their physical injuries. Sometimes, for various reasons, a person being abused will be hesitant to tell the truth, and may lie or avoid explaining. Do what you can to convince them to seek medical attention, if possible.
Next, try to find evidence to support the truth of the alleged victim’s story. Discuss the issue, take pictures of the injuries, gather medical records, and talk to other residents about whether or not they’ve seen the abuse happen. In order to ensure your loved one’s safety, move them to another facility, and inform the authorities. In addition to telling the police about the issue, you can also file a complaint with your state’s social services department, adult protective services or elder protective services. After you’ve taken measures to protect your loved one, contact an attorney at Jordan Law Center for help.
Protect Your Loved One, Call Us at (864) 642-0367
Our Greenville, SC nursing home abuse lawyer has a track record of success helping families who have experienced nursing home abuse. Don’t wait to protect your parent or family member against nursing home abuse, take legal action today.
Contact Jordan Law Center to begin working on your nursing home abuse case. Your first consultation is free of charge -- contact us right away!
