Personal Injury
Defective ProductsAbuse of the Elderly
According to pbs.org, in 2008 the average cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $5,448 per month ($65,385 a year). What kind of care, respect and attention would you expect for yourself or your beloved grandparent, parent, aunt, or uncle if you are spending $179 per day for care? The last thing you would expect would be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, but unfortunately that is exactly what is happening to many seniors in nursing homes throughout the state. According to a recent report from the American Association for Justice, entitled "Standing Up for Seniors: How the Civil Justice System Protects Elderly Americans," instead of receiving the loving care and attention you'd expect from these nursing homes, seniors are often ending up victims of nursing home abuse.
The abuse facing seniors is often the result of nursing homes negligent staff hiring. Many nursing homes fail to properly check the criminal records of its staff, or they run checks and ignore the results. This negligent hiring or employees with criminal records has devastating consequences leading to abuse for seniors.
In the case of one Arkansas nursing home, run by the corporate Beverly chain, a quadriplegic patient was sodomized by a mail orderly. When the patient complained, the orderly was suspended and eventually fired. The nursing home failed to check the employee's background prior to hiring him. It was only after the abuse that they discovered that the orderly had a criminal record, including a felony conviction. He had never completed his training to be a nurse's aide and had lied about his previous employment. The traumatized patient sued the nursing home, at which point Beverly Enterprises claimed that the sodomy had been consensual.
Various forms of abuse against the elderly are an unfortunately common experience. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that as many as 1.5 million seniors are abused every year! Most of these instances of abuse are never reported, and the regulatory oversight has been lax. Nursing home abuse attorneys are holding corporate nursing homes to account however and helping those who have been abused to find justice. In the case of Beverly Enterprises, the jury found that the nursing home had negligently hired the employee and awarded the abused patient compensatory and punitive damages.
What to Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse or Neglect:
Call the police or 9-1-1 immediately if someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger. If the danger is not immediate, but you see warning signs that one of your loved ones is currently or has been the victim of abuse in a nursing home, you should seek the advice of an experienced elder abuse lawyer. You will not only be able to help your loved one, but you will also help other vulnerable seniors who are also in the home. Contact our offices for a free IMMEDIATE case evaluation. Call 800-849-4905 to speak with our elder abuse lawyers. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
How to Spot Elder Abuse:
The National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) website lists several warning signs to look out for to detect signs of elder abuse or neglect. These include:
- Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns
- Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change of alertness, and unusual depression
- Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss
- Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregivers and the elderly person.
Do not assume that if abuse is happening to your loved one they will let you know. The elderly will often suffer in silence because they may be afraid or ashamed to discuss the abuse or neglect. So be alert for these signs, and if you notice these or any other signs that cause you worry, seek help immediately.
Call the personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles at Bisnar | Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing victims of medical malpractice and senior abuse since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
(click on icons for more information)
SLS Consulting
