More than one million people currently reside in nursing homes in the United States. However, as the need for assisted living facilities increases, so does the potential for abuse and neglect. Although physical abuse is common, different types of abuse and neglect also frequently occur in nursing homes. This could include emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
If you have discovered that your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect, you may want to talk to a compassionate personal injury attorney for advice. A Gautier Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer could help you seek justice for your loved one.
Nursing home residents may not always be forthcoming about abuse or neglect that they may be suffering. Whether they fear retribution or are ashamed, family members and friends should learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of potential abuse. Some typical signs that a nursing home resident might be suffering from abuse or neglect may include:
Some older individuals may be particularly vulnerable to abuse or neglect in a nursing home setting. A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Gautier may be able to help families whose loved ones have fallen victim to institutional abuse or neglect.
The Vulnerable Adults Act is the Mississippi law that dictates standards for the welfare of nursing home residents in the state. Under this Act, the Mississippi Department of Human Services has the power to investigate and remedy reports of abuse or neglect of any vulnerable adults, as well as those who reside in institutional settings.
The Act provides broad definitions of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which can be useful in holding nursing homes responsible for abuse and neglect that residents experience on their watch. Any physical pain, mental anguish, or deprivation of needs falls within these expansive definitions. The Act provides a source of liability for nursing homes whose standards fall below the requisite levels.
Injured nursing home residents or their families may be eligible to seek various forms of damages in nursing home negligence or wrongful death claims. They may be able to claim economic damages, such as the costs of medical care necessitated by the injuries, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. In extreme cases, punitive damages also may be a possibility.
Family members of abused adults may be able to seek legal recourse with the assistance of a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Gautier. As there are strict timeframes for bringing these personal injury claims, however, individuals should not hesitate to contact legal counsel for more information about their options. Failure to do so may prevent individuals from holding nursing homes accountable for their wrongful actions and possibly result in harm to other residents.
Nursing home abuse cases fall under the medical malpractice statute in the state of Mississippi. Even though these are rarely deemed medical-type cases, the statute has an umbrella statute of limitations for nursing homes for two years from the date of injury or the date that there should have been the discovery of an injury.
Nursing home abuse and neglect affect some of the most vulnerable members of American society. These individuals often are powerless to stop the cycle of abuse once it begins. With the help of family members, friends, and a Gautier Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, abuse victims may be able to hold nursing homes accountable for failing to protect them.
Whether the abuse or neglect involved staff members, third parties, or other residents, nursing homes must keep their residents safe from harm. These facilities also must treat residents with the dignity and respect that they deserve, which includes reasonably meeting all their essential and medical needs. Failure of nursing homes to ensure proper care of residences may make them liable in a nursing home abuse claim. Call today to discuss your legal rights and options.