Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a highly disturbing and angering form of medical malpractice against individuals who lack the physical means of helping or defending themselves. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect, are all forms of nursing home mistreatment. Victims may suffer injuries such as bedsores, dehydration, broken bones, bruises and lacerations, malnutrition, or even death.
The High Frequency of Abuse
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a fairly common phenomenon here in the United States. Statistics have shown that an alarming 30% of nursing home facilities nationwide have had reported incidences of abuse. Even more upsetting is the fact that most incidents of abuse or neglect are not reported to officials. A study conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse revealed that five cases of abuse go unreported for every one that is cited.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
If someone you love is exhibiting the following symptoms, then he or she may be a victim of nursing home abuse:
- Uncovered, open cuts, welts, or lacerations
- Unexplained bruises
- Infections
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
- Lack of personal hygiene – unchanged clothes, unbathed
- Gets easily emotionally upset
- Behaving abnormally and/or unresponsively
- Desire for isolation
- Reports of abuse
Nursing home abuse is a very serious and intentional form of medical malpractice. If someone close to you has been a victim of this type of mistreatment, then you deserve to press charges against the responsible party.
Contact Us
If someone you love has been a victim of nursing home abuse, then you have a right to take action against the individual or institution at fault. Contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today at 215-238-1130 to learn more about how we can help you.