How to Recognize the Signs of Abuse
Nursing home abuse often goes unreported because seniors feel threatened by their abusers. When asked about abuse around their abuser, they might make excuses or deny the abuse altogether. It may be up to you to recognize the signs. Some indications of nursing home abuse are:
- Unexplained bruises or other injuries
- Changes in their personality or mood
- Withdrawn behavior and fear
- Feelings of depression or hopelessness
- Missing belongings or strange purchases on bank statements
Common Causes of Nursing Home Injuries
Unqualified Staff
Unqualified staff may not be able to administer the complex care your loved one needs. They may not have been properly trained on how to respond to common senior behaviors. However, a lack of awareness is no excuse for elder abuse.
Understaffing
Understaffing in a nursing home is a common problem with serious consequences. Understaffing can lead to overworked medical professionals who fail to deliver the care nursing home residents need. With understaffing often comes medical errors and neglect.
Deliberate Abuse
Deliberate nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. This intentional abuse will have signs like bruises or changes in your loved one's personality or mood.
Protect Your Loved One
With Help From an Abuse Attorney
According to the National Council on Aging, up to 5 million elderly Americans are abused every year. Many of these cases occur in nursing homes and other caregiving facilities. While you may not be able to keep an eye on your loved one 24/7, simply keeping an eye out for the signs of abuse and contacting an attorney when you notice them can make a difference for your loved one.
Do you think you have a case? Reach out to Hoge Law Firm for a free consultation. Our San Diego personal injury office can put you in touch with a nursing home abuse attorney to protect your loved one and hold abusive nursing home personnel accountable for their actions.
(619) 304-7558
Our San Diego law firm can put you in touch with a credible nursing home abuse lawyer who can take care of the legal aspects of your case while you make other arrangements for your loved one.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse
Our senior loved ones are particularly vulnerable. When they experience elder abuse, it may be on us to protect them from it.
You Have 2 Years to File
In the state of California, personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of two years. Nursing home abuse cases are considered personal injury cases, so the statute of limitations applies to them. Taking legal action for nursing home abuse or neglect must happen within this time period or you could risk your case being thrown out. Protect your loved one, protect other seniors, and obtain just compensation for elder abuse by contacting Hoge Law Firm in San Diego.
What You Can Recover With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
In a nursing home abuse case, you could recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Medical bills
Give yourself the best chances of recovering just compensation for your elderly loved one. Put a nursing home abuse lawyer on your side.
Filing for Wrongful Death if the Worst Happens
If your family member has passed as a result of the neglect they experienced or the injuries they sustained in a nursing home, Hoge Law Firm can connect you with a San Diego wrongful death attorney. We hope that they can help your family focus on grieving in the aftermath of your loved one's passing and secure compensation for their funeral costs, pain and suffering, and more.
Like personal injury cases, wrongful death cases have a statute of limitations. This means you have two years from the date of your loved one's passing to file a claim.
"Your case could be what exposes the facility and saves other nursing home residents from elder abuse."