According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 80 percent of the 1.7 million nursing home beds are filled in the United States each year, while the baby boomer generation will provoke a substantial increase in nursing home use in the next 20 to 30 years.
Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse is a common occurrence across our nation, while there is a great threat that this abuse may become more common as the baby boomer generation grows older. The following includes the four basic categories of nursing home abuse covered by our firm:
- Neglect
- Physical Abuse
- Emotional & Psychological Trauma
- Sexual Abuse
At The Edwards Law Firm, our nursing home abuse attorneys have great sympathy for the victims of nursing home abuse and are prepared to fight for the maximum compensation for all losses and damages. Our firm welcomes you to give us a call at 1-800-304-9246, or complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page, to learn how we can begin helping you today.
Nursing Home Neglect
Of all four nursing home abuse categories, nursing home neglect occurs most often. This is simply defined as the medical professional, or caregiver, failing to meet the expectations of the residents, or providing a standard level of care required by all residence. The following includes some signs of nursing home neglect:
- Bad Hygiene
- Bed Sores
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Restraint marks
- Signs of strangulation
- Unexplained injuries
Nursing Home Physical Abuse
Nursing home physical abuse is described as the caregiver or medical professional using intentional physical force to inflict pain or injury. When this occurs to a nursing home resident, it may be very serious, as elderly people are extremely fragile. Some common signs of nursing home physical abuse include:
- Black eyes
- Broken bones
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Internal injuries
- Private visitors not allowed
- Rope or belt marks
- Sprains
- Unexplained hair loss
- Unexplained injuries
Nursing Home Emotional & Psychological Trauma
Residence of nursing homes often experienced emotional and psychological trauma, as a result of physiological and environmental factors. These factors may also lead to anxiety or depression, therefore caregivers and medical professionals must provide adequate attention to each individual residing within the nursing home. Some types of nursing home emotional and psychological trauma include:
- Bad news about health
- Death of a close friend
- Death of family members
- Improper administration of medications
- Inadequate air quality
- Inadequate diet
- Inadequate sunlight
- Isolation
- Lack of exercise
- Malnutrition
- Verbal abuse
- Verbal harassment
- Wrong medication dosage
Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Nursing home sexual abuse is a common form of nursing home abuse, as elderly residents are vulnerable to sexual predators. Unfortunately, many victims of sexual abuse have previously had a stroke or another medical condition which caused them to lose their motor skills or speech. Nursing home residence may experience sexual abuse from other residence, strangers, and even family members. Some signs of sexual abuse include:
- Bloody or stained sheets
- Bruising on buttocks, genital area, inner thighs, or breasts
- Genital irritation or injury
- Signs of stress or anxiety near nursing home staff member
- Sperm present in vagina or anus
- Underclothing stained, bloody, or torn
- Unexplained problems sitting or standing
- Vaginal or anal bleeding
Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today
Over the years, our firm has represented dozens of nursing home abuse victims and have discovered, the sooner the victim, or victims family, seeks legal counsel, the better. By doing so, it enables our attorneys to gather crucial evidence, documents, and testimonies needed to formulate a robust case against the negligent caregiver or entity.
With offices in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, our attorneys are proud to provide our legal counsel to several areas including:
- Dallas
- Little Rock
- McAlester
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
For more information about The Edwards Law Firm, call us at 1-800-304-9246, or complete the Free Case Evaluation form at the top of this page today.
