Lexington Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse Lawyers
Our Lexington nursing home negligence attorneys protect your loved one’s rights
Are you concerned about the well-being and care of your loved ones in nursing homes? At Wilt Injury Lawyers, we understand the importance of ensuring that our elderly relatives receive the respect, attention, and quality care they deserve in their later years. If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse, you do not have to go through it alone. Our dedicated team of Lexington nursing home negligence lawyers is here to provide compassionate support and legal expertise to help you seek justice. We have a deep understanding of elder law and years of experience advocating for victims of nursing home neglect, and our attorneys are committed to holding negligent facilities and staff accountable for their actions.
How can we help today?
- What is nursing home negligence and abuse?
- Statistics on nursing home abuse and neglect
- What are the types of elder abuse and neglect?
- What resources are available to abused Lexington seniors?
- What are nursing home resident rights?
- Do you have a Lexington nursing home negligence and abuse lawyer near me?
What is nursing home negligence and abuse?
Nursing home negligence and abuse refer to a range of mistreatment and substandard care that elderly residents may experience in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
Negligence in nursing homes can encompass various forms of misconduct or failure to provide adequate care, including neglecting basic needs such as food, water, hygiene, and medical attention. It can also involve inadequate supervision, which may lead to accidents, injuries, or medical complications due to falls, medication errors, or untreated medical conditions. Neglect may also occur in emotional or social isolation, lack of social activities, or abandonment by staff members, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness and depression among residents. Bed sores are one of the most common results of prolonged nursing home neglect, and these injuries can cause extreme suffering and even death.
On the other hand, nursing home abuse involves intentional harm or mistreatment inflicted on elderly residents by caregivers, staff members, or other residents. This can include physical abuse, such as hitting, pushing, or restraining residents, as well as emotional or psychological abuse, such as verbal threats, humiliation, or manipulation. Sexual abuse is another form of egregious misconduct that may occur in nursing homes, where vulnerable residents may be subjected to unwanted sexual advances, assault, or exploitation. Because many inhabitants of nursing homes are unable to properly express their feelings and observations due to physical and mental limitations, it is critical to look for signs of abuse and properly monitor the status of your loved ones in any nursing home.
Statistics on nursing home abuse and neglect
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that “Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year.” They also report that two out of every three nursing home staff members admitted to committing abuse in the past year. These are alarming statistics that show how serious of an issue elder abuse and neglect has become in nursing homes.
The National Institute of Health reports that only one out of every 14 cases of elder abuse is reported to authorities. They also state that “Studies have shown that victims of abuse are almost three times as likely to suffer hospitalizations than their counterparts; victims of abuse have also been shown to have significantly higher mortality rates.”
What are the types of elder abuse and neglect?
Elder abuse and neglect can take various forms, each presenting serious risks to the health, safety, and well-being of older adults. Here are the main types of elder abuse and neglect:
- Physical abuse: This involves the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, pain, impairment, or even death. Physical abuse can include hitting, punching, kicking, burning, or any other form of physical harm.
- Emotional or psychological abuse: Emotional abuse involves behaviors that inflict mental anguish, distress, or emotional pain on an older adult. This can include verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, isolation, or other forms of psychological manipulation.
- Financial exploitation: Financial exploitation involves unauthorized or improper use of an older adult's funds, assets, or property. This can include theft, fraud, coercion, forgery, misuse of power of attorney, or deceptive practices to exploit an older person financially.
- Neglect: Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide the necessary care, assistance, or supervision that an older adult needs to maintain their health, safety, and well-being. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional and may involve withholding food, water, medication, personal hygiene assistance, or necessary medical care. Hygiene is one of the most neglected aspects of care for nursing home inhabitants, and this can lead to many more serious issues.
- Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse involves any form of non-consensual sexual contact or activity perpetrated against an older adult. This can include unwanted touching, sexual assault, coercion, or any other form of sexual exploitation.
Each type of elder abuse and neglect is serious and can have devastating consequences for older adults, including physical injuries like bed sores, emotional trauma, financial loss, social isolation, and deterioration of health and well-being. Everyone needs to recognize the signs of elder abuse and neglect and take appropriate action to protect older adults from harm. If you suspect elder abuse or neglect, it's important to report your concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as adult protective services or law enforcement, for investigation and intervention. Our Lexington nursing home negligence lawyers can help with this.
What resources are available to abused Lexington seniors?
Abused seniors in Lexington, Kentucky, have access to various resources and support services to help them address and escape situations of abuse or neglect. Here are some resources available:
- Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Kentucky Adult Protective Services
- Kentucky Attorney General
- Medicare Find and Compare Nursing Homes
You can also talk to our Lexington nursing home abuse lawyers to find out the right steps to take. We are here to protect you or your loved one, and also work to secure compensation for the injuries and abuse you’ve suffered.
What are nursing home resident rights?
Nursing home residents have a wide variety of rights under federal and state law, including the right to:
- Be treated with consideration, respect, and dignity.
- Be addressed how they want to be addressed (e.g. using a resident’s preferred pronoun) and the right to be clothed and groomed consistent with their gender identity.
- Be free from mental and physical abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and physical and chemical restraints.
- Self-determination.
- Share a room with your spouse when married residents live in the same facility and both spouses consent to the arrangement.
- Share a room with your roommate of choice when practicable, when both residents live in the same facility and both residents consent to the arrangement.
- Interact with members of the community and participate in community activities both inside and outside the facility.
- Security of your possessions.
Do you have a Lexington nursing home negligence and abuse lawyer near me?
Wilt Injury Lawyers serves clients out of their offices at 196 W. Lowry Lane, Suite 1, Lexington, KY 40503. We offer plenty of on-site parking. If you are too ill or injured to come to our offices, we can schedule a phone or video consultation.
Lexington nursing home negligence and abuse lawyers protecting our senior citizens
If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, don't hesitate to seek help from a qualified attorney with experience in this area. At Wilt Injury Lawyers, our Lexington nursing home negligence attorneys can provide the legal support you need to hold responsible parties accountable and ensure justice is served. Take action today to protect the rights and well-being of our seniors in care facilities. Please call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve clients in Lexington and throughout Kentucky.