According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), an estimated 7.6% to 10% of elders in America experience some form of abuse, whether it be intentional harm or neglect that causes injury. Although the problem seems to be upsettingly common, not too many people know how to handle it, or are even aware of it. This could be due in large part to the fact that elders may be too embarrassed to report any abuse; they might also be unable to communicate clearly that there is a problem.
If you believe you are noticing signs of nursing home abuse against your elder loved one, it may be up to you to step up and take action to stop it. Signs you should keep an eye out for include:
- Bruises
- Bedsores
- Sudden changes in mood
- Malnutrition
- Generally unsafe living conditions
Retain the Help of a Professional Personal Injury Attorney
Trying to deal with nursing home abuse alone can be a daunting experience, and you might not know where to begin. The good news is that there are professionals out there who can help you. Personal injury lawyers with a history in the field will be able to spot critical pieces of evidence to use in your favor.
Perhaps staff records show that the nursing home is understaffed and therefore cannot physically give the care and attention that your loved one requires, or the words or actions of a staff member was incriminating or suspicious. Whatever it may be, when you have an attorney in your corner, you can rest assured that there is another set of eyes on the issue.
In addition to being able to identify concerns you could potentially use to your advantage in your case, a personal injury attorney can handle the legwork and paperwork for you. Nursing home abuse cases are rarely straightforward, and you may be going up against individual staff members or the organization as a whole. Rather than trying to sort all of that on your own, let a legal advocate make sense of it for you.
At Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, our Dothan injury attorneys have been standing up for the rights of the wrongfully injured for years. Through our hard work and dedication, we have been able to win millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including victories for victims of nursing home abuse. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
