Entrusting a nursing home with your loved one’s care can be difficult. However, you make this choice in hopes that your family member will receive the aid they need. Therefore, when a nursing facility breaks your trust and harms your loved one instead, you may be feeling devastated and betrayed.
If you believe your family member is being mistreated or neglected at their care facility, contact a Bangor nursing home abuse lawyer immediately to schedule a consultation. You do not have to pursue legal action alone. A compassionate attorney at Gideon Asen LLC can help you hold the facility accountable.
Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
If someone suspects their loved one is being abused, there are a few common signs of mistreatment they can look for. These may include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Bed sores
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Fatigue or insomnia
- Illness or infection
- The lack of personal hygiene
- Sudden weight loss
- Sudden changes in mental well-being such as anxiety and depression
A Bangor attorney can investigate the facts of a case and help determine if an elderly party is showing symptoms of abuse from their nursing home.
Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse
It is important to note that a nursing home resident may be subject to several forms of abuse. The most common types of abuse that occur in care facilities include:
Physical Abuse and Injuries
Physical abuse occurs when long-term care facility staff members intentionally cause physical harm to the residents. Abuse may include kicking, pushing, or hitting the residents.
Emotional Abuse
When staff members and caregivers purposefully cause harm to the residents’ emotional well-being, they are committing emotional abuse. This could include yelling, ignoring, or taunting residents to control them.
Neglect
Neglect in nursing homes occurs when residents are alone without care for extended periods. Negligence can lead to malnutrition, bedsores, and infections.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when staff members steal things from the resident, such as money or objects. Some frequently stolen items include checks, credit card numbers, or expensive items from the resident’s room.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse happens if any form of unwanted sexual activity takes place, such as sexual battery or inappropriate touching.
If a loved one is experiencing any form of abuse at the hands of their care facility, a Bangor attorney can help them pursue legal action against those responsible.
The Rights of Nursing Home Residents
According to Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A, § 6227, nursing home and long-term care facility residents have unique legal rights. Residents are legally permitted to seek outside advice and find representation for any matters involving medical care and financial issues. Additionally, residents have the right to engage in activities of their choice, dignity, independence, and a home-like environment.
Every nursing home or long-term care facility resident has the right to freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. A nursing home abuse attorney in Bangor can investigate the cause of injuries or mistreatment and help hold the facility accountable.
Meet With a Seasoned Bangor Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
While a settlement will not reverse the harm suffered at the hands of a care facility, compensation could help you hold the home accountable for its actions. Strict laws mandate how nursing homes must care for and treat residents. When they do not follow such regulations, you have the right to pursue legal action against them.
You must act fast if you suspect your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect. Stop the harm today by calling a Bangor nursing home abuse lawyer. If you need help with a civil case for damages, a skilled attorney at Gideon Asen LLC is here to assist. Contact us today.
