Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Nursing home abuse is an outrage. Nevertheless, it is a silent problem that affects countless Seattle nursing homes. Too many vulnerable nursing home residents are being physically, emotionally, and sexually abused. These vulnerable seniors are often unable to protest, and you might not know what is happening. If you suspect abuse, or if you’ve seen abuse, contact Emerald Law Group. Our lawyer can step in to protect your or a loved one.
Nursing Home Abuse is Widespread
Residents are vulnerable to all types of abuse and exploitation inside care facilities, including:
- Physical abuse. This is often the most obvious abuse because it leaves scars, bruises, burns, or other visible signs. Residents can be punched, kicked, suffocated, strangled, stabbed, or pushed. In other situations, a nursing home might deny food or water to a resident, which results in dehydration or malnutrition.
- Chemical abuse. Nursing homes can give residents medication which they don’t need as a way of controlling them. This is called “chemical restraint,” and it’s a big problem.
- Emotional abuse. Residents can suffer emotional abuse when they are denied visitation, ignored, isolated, or harassed. Residents are just as vulnerable to emotional abuse as physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse. An alarmingly high number of residents are sexually abused, which can include groping, sexual assault, or rape. Other seniors are humiliated by being videotaped while naked or forced to watch sexual activity.
- Financial exploitation. Seniors are especially vulnerable to financial abuse. Many adults might steal money or assets, or else they use a senior’s personal information to take out loans or open credit cards.
Many residents cannot report their abuse, for fear of retaliation or because cognitive decline makes communication difficult. Concerned friends and family must be vigilant and raise anything suspicious with the nursing home.
For example, signs of abuse include:
- Unexplained trips to the hospital
- Bruises, cuts, or fractures
- Dramatic weight loss
- Sudden changes in a resident’s personality
- Bruising or bleeding in the anus or genital area
- Fear of a specific resident or staff member
- Emotional withdrawal or child-like in behavior
- Calls from creditors for unpaid bills
Anyone with suspicions should speak with the nursing home management. You might also visit the home at a different time during the week. For example, abusive staff might anticipate you showing up every Sunday morning, so they lay off the abuse at that time. If you show up unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon, you might catch them abusing your loved one.
Help is Available, Contact our Seattle Premises Liability Lawyers
Emerald Law Group has helped vulnerable seniors and their families seek a measure of justice for nursing home abuse. In many situations, the nursing home is legally liable for the abuse. Many fail to properly investigate new employees or supervise them. They also fail to protect residents from other residents who are violent.
Contact us today. Our Seattle nursing home abuse lawyer can discuss your options, including moving your loved one and possibly suing. We have sought compensation for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
