When you trust an Indiana nursing home to take care of your elderly loved one, you expect them to be treated with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes live up to this expectation. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you may be able to file a claim against the facility.
Defining nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many different forms. It can be physical, emotional, financial, or sexual in nature. It can also involve nursing home neglect. Elderly adults are particularly vulnerable to abuse because they may be unable to defend themselves or speak up for themselves.
The signs of nursing home abuse can include anything from bruises to social withdrawal to dehydration. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action. You should contact the police. Depending on the situation, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the nursing facility.
Establishing liability for nursing home abuse
To succeed in a nursing home abuse claim, you’ll need to show that the facility was negligent, which means that they failed to provide a reasonable standard of care and that this failure led to the abuse of your loved one.
There are many different ways in which a nursing home can be held liable for the abuse of a resident. In some cases, the facility may have failed to properly screen or train its employees. In others, there may be a problem with the way the facility is run. For example, if there is insufficient staff on hand, it’s more likely that abuse will occur.
Nursing home abuse can have catastrophic effects on a senior’s well-being. Understanding what constitutes abuse provides you with the power to be their advocate.
