Lafayette Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Placing a loved one in a care facility can be heart wrenching and emotional, but when a family member becomes unable to take care of themselves a nursing home can be the best and safest option. The amount of trust we place in nursing facilities is immense. Often, due to frail health, dementia and other age-related conditions, residents of nursing homes are completely dependent on staff and medical personnel for their most basic needs. When a nursing home meets or exceeds the standard of care, residents and their families can enjoy their time together and have peace of mind concerning the move. Tragically, nursing homes don’t always live up to the trust we place in them.

Instances of nursing home abuse occur at a shockingly high rate in care centers. According to the World Health Organization, 64 percent of nursing home and care center staff admit to abusing residents. The National Council on Aging has estimated that as many as 5 million seniors experience abuse every year. These disturbing statistics are overshadowed by an even more sobering number. It is estimated that only one out of every 24 instances of elder abuse are ever reported. Injury lawyers help victims and their families hold care centers accountable for abuse and neglect.

If you or a family member have experienced nursing home neglect or abuse, you don’t have to fight alone. Hensley Legal Group is a personal injury law firm with experience in litigating Lafayette nursing home abuse claims. Discovering a loved one has been abused or neglected can be extremely upsetting and taking a negligent facility to court can feel overwhelming. The Hensley Legal Group attorneys understand the sensitive issues surrounding nursing home abuse. In order to facilitate the legal process, the attorneys at Hensley Legal Group offer a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lafayette Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse in nursing homes and care centers occurs when a resident is injured by a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, or any other staff member of the facility. In addition, fellow residents can also abuse and cause injuries. If facility staff know or suspect that a resident is being abused by another patient and do nothing to prevent it and fail to report it, the facility is liable for damages.

There are many types of abuse and unfortunately, all types are found in the nursing home population. Observant families are the key to preventing and stopping nursing home abuse. Visiting frequently and being open about any concerns regarding loved ones in a facility is key to preventing and stopping nursing home abuse.

If you suspect your elderly family member is being mistreated or abused, get medical help if needed, make arrangements to keep your loved one safe, report your suspicions immediately to the proper authorities and contact a personal injury attorney with experience in Lafayette nursing home abuse cases.

For questions regarding Lafayette nursing home abuse personal injury claims, contact the nursing home abuse lawyers at the Hensley Legal Group by calling (317) 472-3333 to arrange a free consultation. The lawyers at Hensley are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to discuss your case.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

It is hard to imagine anyone abusing the elderly, but unfortunately, abuse in nursing homes is a harsh reality that needs to be faced. It is important to be familiar with the different kinds of abuse that occur in nursing homes so it can be reported and stopped.

Physical Abuse

Hitting, shoving, kicking, pinching, inappropriate use of restraints, underdosing or overdosing a resident’s medication, are all examples of physical abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Anything that makes a nursing home resident feel threatened, humiliated, isolated or controlled is considered emotional abuse. Some examples include: Name calling, yelling, teasing or mocking, shaming, demeaning the resident in front of others, threatening physical or sexual violence, and giving the silent treatment.

Sexual Abuse

Any unwelcome or non-consensual sexual contact is considered sexual abuse. Due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other medical conditions that necessitate placing a loved one in a care center, as well as the power and influence the staff at a nursing home have over patients, it is unlikely that any sexual contact occurred with a resident’s consent.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home residents often don’t report abuse due to fear, confusion, memory loss, shame, guilt etc. They may even deny that abuse is happening when questioned. It is critical that family members know the signs of abuse so they can take action if they suspect their loved one is being mistreated.

Physical Abuse Signs

• Unexplained bruises
• Head trauma
• Cuts
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Increased confusion indicating over/under medication
• Other unexplained injuries

Emotional Abuse Signs

• Fear
• Depression
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Uncomfortableness around certain staff members
• Anxiety
• Reluctance to join in activities

Sexual Abuse Signs

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pelvic pain and injuries
• Bruising
• Problems walking
• Urinary tract infections
• Fear
• Withdrawal
• Anxiety

Any sign of injuries or abuse is cause for alarm and requires action. Immediately make sure your loved one is safe and get medical treatment if needed. Report the suspected abuse to the proper authorities and contact a lawyer. Injury lawyers with experience in nursing home abuse are aware of the sensitive nature of these cases. They are also aware that getting justice for your loved one is important to the whole family. Nursing home abuse lawyers can help you gather evidence, file paperwork and hold the responsible party accountable for the abuse of your loved one. Financial compensation can ease the burden placed on families and victims and sends a message to care facilities that nursing home abuse will not be tolerated. A nursing home injury attorney can help families fight for justice.

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect refers to a negligence of care that results in harm. Correctly caring for the elderly requires that facilities uphold a reasonable standard of care. Anything less than this standard is considered negligence.

Examples of nursing home neglect include:

• Failing to provide medical, dental, or mental health care
• Lack of personal hygiene care
• Inadequate supervision
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Ignoring symptoms of illness
• Not providing enough food or water
• Ignoring requests for help
• Deactivating call lights

Signs of Neglect

• Unexplained weight loss
• Unkempt appearance
• Body odor
• Broken bones, bruises, or cuts from falling
• Depression
• Deteriorating health
• Dirty clothes

A nursing home abuse lawyer can help victims of abuse or neglect and their families receive compensation for the damages and financial losses that have occurred. Personal injury lawyers can assist families in getting justice.

Hensley Legal Group is composed of injury lawyers who care. They understand how traumatic nursing home abuse is and how important it is to hold staff accountable for their actions. The injury lawyers at Hensley offer a free consultation and require no up-front fees. Call (317) 472-3333