Abuse of residents living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, sometimes called elder abuse, is any intentional act or failure to provide adequate care, leading to harm or distress. The liable parties may be caregivers, medical professionals, staff, or anyone in close contact with residents.
In addition to directly abusive behavior that inflicts physical or emotional pain, residents can also suffer harm due to understaffing, lack of training, caregiver burnout, or systemic issues in centers and facilities. Contact our office today to speak to a skilled New Orleans nursing home abuse lawyer and learn more. Our medical negligence attorneys are available to help clients living in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
What Are the Different Types of Abuse?
Different types of abuse and neglect may occur in nursing home centers and care facilities, including:
Physical
Physical abuse is the intentional use of force against residents, causing them pain or injury. It includes actions such as smacking, hitting, pinching, kicking, rough handling, or restraining.
Emotional and Psychological
Emotional and psychological or mental abuse are actions that cause residents to suffer anguish and distress. It may include threats, verbal assaults, intimidation, isolation, or humiliation.
Sexual
Abuse of a sexual nature includes any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation. Some examples include unwanted touching, sexual assault, harassment, or exposure to explicit material.
Financial
Financial abuse and exploitation involve unauthorized and improper use of a resident’s money or property by a caregiver or staff member. Actions include misuse of credit cards, theft, fraud, and coercion into changing a Last Will and Testament.
Neglect and Abandonment
Neglect and abandonment occur when the facility or caregivers fail to provide residents with their basic needs, leading to harm. It includes ignoring their medical needs, leaving them with poor hygiene, a lack of food or water, and unsafe living conditions. It can also mean leaving a resident alone for extended periods or in hazardous conditions.
If you suspect a loved one has suffered nursing home abuse in New Orleans, contact an attorney today to review your case and take the first step toward justice.
Potential Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect
To protect a loved one living in a nursing home, it is essential to recognize the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and take prompt action, even if you only have a suspicion. Some residents cannot report abuse, such as those with dementia and other debilitating disabilities, and others may not report because of fear or embarrassment.
Physical signs may include cuts, burns, unexplained bruises, pressure ulcers, or restraint marks. A resident may also have infections, display symptoms of malnutrition or dehydration, or unexplained weight loss. Noticing abrupt changes in your loved one’s actions or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, or being more withdrawn than usual, may also be signs of trouble.
When financial abuse is occurring, there may be large and unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, missing property, or unpaid bills. Also, stay alert to environmental signs, such as poor facility hygiene, visiting restrictions, understaffing, or lack of personal care items.
World Health Organization Nursing Home Abuse Data
Nursing homes, long-term assisted living facilities, and other residential care settings are highly regulated and must ensure all residents receive a professional standard of care. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect are still a problem and a significant global public health concern.
Studies conducted by the World Health Organization show that as many as one in six older adults experience abuse in a care center or facility. A proactive lawyer from Sangisetty Law Firm could thoroughly investigate your loved one’s case to review the evidence, determine liability, and build a claim to establish the neglect or abuse of a New Orleans nursing home and collect a fair settlement.
Talk to a Compassionate Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in New Orleans About Your Loved One’s Rights
Learning or suspecting that your loved one is suffering abuse while in the care of a residential facility can be infuriating and devastating. It is crucial to take prompt action.
At Sangisetty Law Firm, we serve clients throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Contact our New Orleans nursing home abuse lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards protecting your loved one’s rights.