YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

Portland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If your family member is a resident in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you may be concerned about how to monitor the quality of care they receive. Unfortunately, this is a valid concern. It is not uncommon for nursing homes to be short-staffed, and pressure on staff can lead to neglect and abuse of residents if proper protocols are not in place to prevent mistreatment.

A Portland nursing home abuse lawyer could help you take legal action if you suspect your loved one is suffering mistreatment at a care facility. A seasoned injury attorney could investigate, contact the facility, and if necessary, bring a negligence action in court.

Types of Abuse in Portland Nursing Homes

Many nursing home residents cannot advocate for themselves, making them vulnerable to all kinds of mistreatment. Family members and other loved ones should monitor their loved one’s condition and raise questions whenever they notice something concerning. Anyone who suspects that their loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect at a care facility should get in touch with a Portland nursing home abuse attorney as quickly as possible to review their legal options.

Neglect

Indicators of nursing home neglect include the resident displaying poor hygiene or the facility being unsanitary. Medication errors, irregular meals, and infrequent visits from a doctor may be additional signs of neglect. An absence of opportunities to socialize or engage in enrichment activities could also indicate neglect, as well as unexplained falls, wandering, or leaving the premises unsupervised.

Physical Abuse

Residents subject to physical abuse might have cuts, bruises, or broken bones, and the explanations for these injuries are not convincing. Physical or medical restraint is a form of abuse, except in the instance when necessary to prevent an agitated resident from hurting themselves or others. Over-medicating a resident, especially with sedatives, is a form of physical abuse. Failing to provide prompt medical treatment for an illness or injury constitutes physical abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Bullying, mocking, or humiliating a resident, isolating them from others, and preventing them from engaging in activities they enjoy are all forms of emotional abuse. Loved ones who notice a resident developing increased agitation, fearfulness, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, or other concerning personality changes should investigate whether the resident is suffering from emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Inappropriate sexual conduct directed toward nursing home residents from staff and other residents is surprisingly common. Loved ones should raise concerns if they notice bloody or torn bedsheets or underwear, injuries to a loved one’s breasts, buttocks, or genitals, or if the resident is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. Intentionally mocking or shaming a resident in a sexual manner is also sexual abuse.

Financial Abuse

As local nursing home abuse attorneys understand all too well, financial exploitation is a prevalent type of nursing home abuse. Staff might steal property or money from residents or manipulate them into providing them cash. Loved ones should be vigilant about overseeing a loved one’s finances to ensure they do not become victims of financial abuse.

Responding to Nursing Home Abuse

It is crucial for family members to contact a Portland attorney immediately if they suspect nursing home abuse. If a resident is being physically or sexually abused or if theft is occurring, police involvement might be necessary. In other cases, a legal professional could contact the facility and investigate the concerns.

If necessary, the resident or their family member could bring a lawsuit against the facility in civil court. If the facility is found to be negligent, they could be held liable to pay the resident’s medical expenses and provide compensation for their emotional trauma, pain, humiliation, and other effects of the abuse.

Share Your Concerns with a Portland Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If your loved one is suffering mistreatment in a care facility, you are not without legal options. Yet, taking effective action may be difficult without the right legal help.

A Portland nursing home abuse lawyer has the experience needed to guide your family through this situation and pursue the compensation and justice your loved one deserves. Schedule a consultation with a dedicated attorney to learn more.