If you’re dealing with mistreatment in a nursing home or suspect a loved one is suffering due to abuse or neglect, it’s time to get help from an Arizona nursing home abuse lawyer. Sadly, elder abuse is very common. More than a million cases are reported each year, and statistics show that one out of every 10 elderly people will experience abuse in some form.
Many nursing homes are understaffed, and plenty of workers are both improperly trained and underpaid, resulting in poor morale within the workplace. This happens when management attempts to cut corners to save money, which occurs more often than you might think. In some cases, the abuse isn’t intentional, but patients may end up forgotten due to exhausted or overworked staff.
Abusive individuals crave power over others. A nursing home represents a place where they can exert themselves, sometimes with little oversight. Sick or elderly patients may be too weak to face their abuser. They can also be shamed or scared into keep the abuse a secret.
We represent abuse victims and do everything legally within our power to bring these monsters to justice. We also hold the nursing homes accountable for bringing in evil staff members to care for your loved one.
According to NORS data from 2010, 29 percent of complaints involve physical abuse at the hands of a nursing home staff member. Another 21 percent of reports were about psychological abuse. And 14 percent of cases involved neglect, while much smaller percentages were about issues with financial or sexual abuse.
There’s another issue as well – A startling 22 percent of cases involved abuse at the hands of other residents. At a nursing home, the staff needs to ensure that everyone remains safe. If they’re neglecting to do so, it’s possible for aggressive or psychotic patients to become abusive.
This is a distressing situation to find yourself in, and you might be going back and forth between wanting to make the call and worrying that you’re overreacting. How do you know if abuse is taking place?
Signs of abuse include:
If you notice anything strange, the first thing you should do is attempt to talk to your loved one. However, elderly people with dementia or those who’ve suffered strokes or other serious health problems might be unable to communicate or remember clearly. If that’s the situation, you’ll need to use your own judgment.
Schedule your free case consultation with one of Arizona’s most experienced personal injury attorneys.
Book Free Consultation (866)-499-8989If you think abuse or neglect might be taking place, it’s important to take immediate action.
Call for Help:
If the signs of abuse are severe, or you think your loved one is in immediate danger, it’s best to call the police.
Talk to the Management:
If you suspect abuse but aren’t sure, talking to the home’s administrators should be your first move. Remember to stay calm. It’s normal to be upset, but staying calm and communicating clearly will help you figure out what’s going on.
Get to a Safe Place:
If the situation is uncertain, the best thing you can do is remove your loved one from the home. This might mean providing them a place to stay for a while or moving them to a different home. If you don’t have time to locate a new home immediately, an in-home nurse can be an option in the meantime.
Make the Report:
You’ve likely heard of Child Protective Services, but did you know there’s also a similar agency designed to protect adults from abuse? The number will differ depending on your state, but you can find more information by calling the Eldercare Locator hotline at 1-800-677-1116.
Your next step is to contact an attorney who specializes in elderly abuse in Arizona. This is a very difficult situation to find yourself in, and you need expert help and support. An experienced lawyer will know the details of the laws in your state and how you can best move forward to ensure your loved one is safe and cared for.
If you’re ready to get help from an Arizona nursing home attorney, please give the team at Zanes Law a call today. We understand how frightening this situation can be, and we’re ready to use our expertise to help you through this.
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