Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys
in New York
Nursing home negligence and abuse as the causes of personal injury and wrongful death among senior citizens have become an ever-growing concern to those elderly Americans and their families who are dependent on extended health care institutions for their care.
As the general population of the United States ages, the demands placed on our medical system to care for our elderly loved ones have grown considerably. At the current time in this country, there are approximately 34 million people over the age of 65, and nearly one in twenty of those elderly Americans will eventually require some form of assisted living.
Because these numbers are so high, our senior citizens are much too frequently becoming the victims of intentional abuse and neglect in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities, especially when those places are understaffed or poorly staff with uncaring, untrained healthcare professionals.
What Types of Abuse Occur?
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is the term used to refer to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm to a vulnerable adult.
Abuse of an elderly person's finances is the most common form of elder abuse; however, there are many other kinds including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the use of physical force resulting in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment. Acts of physical abuse may include striking with a hand or object, beating, pushing, shaking, slapping, kicking, and burning. Force-feeding an elder adult is also considered physical abuse as is the inappropriate use of physical restraints.
Signs of physical abuse:
- Bruises, abrasions, burns, or broken bones
- Open wounds or cuts
- Broken eyeglass and other signs of being subjected to punishment
- Sudden change in behavior
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is non-consensual contact with an elderly person that can include unwanted touching, sexual assault or battery such as rape, sodomy and sexually explicit photographing.
Signs of sexual abuse:
- Bruises around breasts and genital area
- Unexplained venereal disease or infection
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn or bloody undergarments
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the infliction of pain or distress through verbal and nonverbal acts such as insults, threats, humiliation, intimidation and harassment.
Signs of emotional abuse:
- Being upset or agitated
- Being withdrawn and non-communicative
- Unusual behavior
Neglect
Neglect is the failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations to take care of the elder.
Signs of neglect:
- Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, or poor hygiene
- Untreated health problems
- Unsanitary living conditions
Abandonment
Abandonment is the desertion of the elder adult by an individual who is supposed to be taking care of him or her.
Signs of abandonment:
- The elder is left at the hospital or nursing facility
- The elder is left at a public place such as a shopping mall or church
Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation is the most common type of abuse found in older adults and is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets. Checks may be cashed that belong to the elder adult, signatures may be forged, and possessions may be stolen.
Signs of financial exploitation:
- Sudden changes in financial situation
- Additional names found on the elder's accounts
- Unauthorized withdrawals of money
- Disappearance of possessions
- Unexplained transfers of funds
- Evidence of forged signatures
If you suspect your loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, you should document your observations and take immediate steps to secure your loved one’s safety. An experienced New York nursing home neglect/abuse lawyer can investigate your situation and advise you on what your next steps should be.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of elderly abuse or neglect New York, please contact a New York Personal Injury Lawyer today to schedule an initial consultation.
