CALL NOW
When families entrust a nursing home to care for their loved ones, they expect dignity, safety, and respect. Unfortunately, abuse in nursing homes is more common than many realize. Abuse can take many forms, including:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Financial
While these are common examples, many other forms of abuse can put elders at risk and leave them seeking answers. Understanding the types of abuse in nursing homes is the first step to protecting yourself or a loved one.
Of course, just recognizing the abuse isn’t enough. Working with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help you pursue justice for your loved one and maximize compensation for the harm they may have endured.
Below, we cover the six most common types of nursing home abuse cases and how an attorney can help.
Physical Abuse in the Nursing Home
Physical abuse is one of the most recognizable forms of mistreatment. It can include hitting, shoving, kicking, or using unnecessary restraints. Signs of physical abuse may include unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, broken bones, or frequent trips to the emergency room.
Many people aren’t sure when the right time is to take legal action. If you or your loved one suspect physical harm was caused by nursing home staff or neglectful supervision, a lawsuit may be possible. A skilled nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate, gather medical evidence, and hold the facility accountable.
Neglect by the Nursing Home
Neglect occurs when residents do not receive proper care, such as assistance with eating, bathing, medications, or mobility. This is one of the most common types of abuse in nursing homes and can lead to:
- Bedsores
- Infections
- Dehydration
- Other serious medical issues
While you may feel powerless facing nursing home neglect, an attorney can hold the facility accountable for failing to meet its legal duty of care and fight for both justice and compensation.
Emotional Abuse
Abuse isn’t always physical. Emotional abuse often appears in forms such as:
- Insults
- Humiliation
- Intimidation
- Isolation
Elders may withdraw, appear depressed, or show sudden changes in mood or personality. Because these cases are harder to prove, working with a nursing home abuse attorney can make the difference.
An attorney can gather testimony, medical records, and expert evaluations to demonstrate the emotional harm caused by the nursing home.
Financial Abuse and Exploitation
Sadly, elders are often targets of financial exploitation in nursing homes. Staff or caregivers may pressure residents to give money, forge signatures, or misuse credit cards and bank accounts. Warning signs include missing funds, unusual account activity, or sudden changes to wills or financial documents.
A knowledgeable attorney can take swift action to stop the exploitation, recover stolen assets, and pursue damages for you or your family.
Abandonment
Abandonment is a lesser-known type of mistreatment but can be just as dangerous. It happens when residents are left without necessary care, supervision, or assistance—similar to neglect but more extreme. Abandoned elders may be left alone for hours or even days without access to food, water, or medical support.
With the help of a nursing home neglect lawyer, families can hold the facility responsible for putting their loved one’s life at risk.
Sexual Abuse
One of the most devastating forms of abuse in nursing homes is sexual abuse. This can occur when staff, caregivers, or even other residents take advantage of a vulnerable elder. Signs may include unexplained injuries, difficulty walking or sitting, withdrawn behavior, or fear of being left alone with certain staff.
Sexual abuse in a nursing home is a deeply traumatic experience for both the residents and their families. Contacting an attorney can help you receive compensation for medical care, emotional support, and other impacts, providing some peace of mind during this difficult time.
Contact Our Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
If you or your loved one has been mistreated, neglected, or abused in a nursing home, you don’t have to face this battle alone. The attorneys at The Gatti Law Firm have the experience and compassion to handle these sensitive cases with the care they deserve.
Our team will stand by your side, investigate the abuse, and fight for maximum compensation for your family. Contact our Oregon nursing home abuse attorneys today for a free consultation.