Learn the Facts Behind Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Neglect
While many families turn to nursing homes and elder care communities to provide for their aging loved ones, a number of these facilities end up abusing or neglecting the individuals they are charged with protecting. In fact, one CBS news report showed that approximately 1,600 nursing homes, or one-third of the available facilities, have been cited for elder abuse and neglect. When you or a loved one is suffering from elder abuse or nursing home neglect, it may be time to consult with a personal injury attorney.
Types of Abuse
Nursing home abuse refers to both physical and emotional abuse. Physical abuse may be as extreme as battery, choking, forced or unreasonable restraint, and sexual assault—while emotional abuse can include but is not limited to threats, insults, and humiliation. Other types of elder neglect include wrongful or inappropriate care, staff failure to administer medications properly, failure to provide food, and overall lack of sufficient care and attention.
In some cases, nursing home abuse may also materialize in the form of financial exploitation.
Signs of Abuse
Some common signs of nursing home abuse and elder neglect include:
- Bedsores
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, or abrasions
- Malnutrition and changes in weight
- Unexplained fractures or falls
- Sepsis
- Poor hygiene or soiling
- Infections
- Loss of hair
The Illinois nursing Home Care Act provides nursing home residents with a wide array of rights when it comes to nursing home abuse and elder neglect. Victims do not need to prove medical malpractice, but rather need to show that the facility did not provide the proper treatment or that the treatment given was unreasonable or dangerous.
With over 17 years of experience, the personal injury lawyers with Malman Law provide free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights. Let us defend your legal rights and help put an end to elder abuse by contacting us directly at (312) 983-6193.
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