Louisville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

If you suspect your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the Louisville nursing home abuse lawyers at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers can help you hold the responsible party liable. Our team fights for the rights of abused and neglected nursing home residents in Kentucky, helping them and their loved ones get the compensation they deserve.

To set up a free case evaluation with one of our dedicated attorneys, call our Louisville office at 800-800-4600.

Are you aware of the many different types of nursing home abuse? If you are not aware of what they are, it can be difficult to recognize the signs and to take action. However, by learning the most common forms of the abuse and the signs of each, you can protect your vulnerable loved ones.

Here are the most common types of nursing home abuse:

Physical Abuse

While physical contact is sometimes necessary in assisted living facilities, caregivers must never handle a resident more roughly than is needed to ensure the safety of both parties in a given situation. For instance, a caregiver might need to physically restrain a confused resident who is lashing out, but they must do so in a gentle and nonviolent way.

Abuse happens when physical contact between a caregiver and a resident is excessive or unnecessary. This can mean:

• Kicking
• Punching
• Pinching
• Excessive restraining
• Burning
• Hair pulling
• Any other type of rough or violent physical interaction

Emotional Abuse

Caregivers have a duty to treat the older adults under their care with respect and dignity. Any behavior that humiliates, demeans, or intentionally upsets a nursing home resident might qualify as emotional abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse does not require physical contact. Inappropriate propositions, indecent exposure, crude comments, and even sexual jokes can qualify as abusive behavior.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse happens when a caregiver uses deceitful tactics to get money from a resident. This could mean outright stealing, or it could be more subtle deception, such as asking for gifts or to be added as an authorized user on a credit card.

Neglect

Nursing home caregivers are responsible for always meeting the needs of their residents. If a caregiver fails to feed, bathe, or clothe a resident, or does not ensure they take their medicine at the proper times, they can be liable for neglect.

Now that you know the many forms of nursing home abuse, you should be aware of the signs of each. That way you can remain vigilant and can take immediate action the moment you suspect something inappropriate might be taking place.

Signs of Physical Abuse

• Unexplained physical injuries (e.g., cuts, bruises, broken bones);
• Bruises on thighs or inner arms, indicating excessive restraint;
• Frequent unexplained illnesses;
• Pain or sensitivity to touch;
• Sudden lack of control of bodily functions;
• Medication changes;
• Fear or nervousness.

Signs of Emotional Abuse

• Unexplained changes in personality (e.g., anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of activities);
• Excessive shyness;
• Fear around a particular caregiver;
• Trembling or shaking;
• Disorientation;
• Crying or emotional outbursts.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

• Injuries to the genital region;
• Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases;
• Aversion to bathing;
• Discomfort or apprehension around a certain caregiver.

Signs of Financial Abuse

• Unexplained bank or credit card charges;
• Unexplained ATM fees;
• Changes to a will or trust;
• Unpaid or unexplained bills;
• Missing money or personal belongings.

Recognizing Neglect

• Hunger or malnutrition;
• Dehydration or extreme thirst;
• Unkempt or disheveled appearance;
• Excessive bodily odor;
• Dirty, torn, or ill-fitting clothing;
• Missing eyewear, dentures, or hearing devices;
• Unexplained and unintentional weight loss;
• Bedsores;
• Unsanitary living space;
• Spoiled, moldy, or otherwise inedible food.

If you suspect your loved one is or has been a victim of nursing home abuse, you should act immediately, even if you are not sure or you have no proof of your suspicions. It is better to be wrong than to stay silent and later discover that your suspicions were right all along.

Call 911

First, and most important, call 911 right away if you have any reason to believe that your loved one or another nursing home resident is in immediate danger.

Report Your Concerns

Next, take your concerns directly to the manager or supervisor of the person you suspect is responsible. If that person is a manager or supervisor, then go directly to the owner of the facility. If you suspect the owner is also complicit, then skip this step and file a police report.

After you do that, report your suspicions to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Adult Protection Branch. You can reach the branch at 1-800-752-6200.

Call a Louisville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Finally, call a Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers to discuss your options for filing an injury lawsuit. Our personal injury lawyers have helped many Louisville victims and their families hold their abusers liable and receive compensation for the harm they suffered.