Nursing Home Abuse
Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect is a common occurrence. Abuse of residents in a nursing home facility is often referred to as a hidden crime because it can be hard to recognize, has been concealed by nursing home staff, or the victim is too frightened or is unable to report the abuse. Approximately 84 percent of nursing home abuse cases are unreported or unrecognized. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of abuse in a Phoenix nursing facility, you may want to consider taking legal action to stop the abuse and protect your loved one from further incidences. At Phillips Law Group, we are committed to fighting for the rights of all Arizona residents, including nursing home residents who have been victims of abuse. For more information on the legal rights which may be available to abuse victims or to schedule a no obligation consultation with a member of our team, please complete the free case evaluation form on this page.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Types of nursing home abuse can generally be classified in four different categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse or psychological/mental trauma. Regardless of the type of abuse your loved one has experienced, you may have legal recourse.
- Neglect: Nursing home negligence is the most common form of abuse. It is defined as a caretaker or medical professional who does not meet the standard of care deemed necessary or appropriate for their position.
- Physical Abuse: Although the definition of physical abuse in a nursing facility varies depending on location, it is generally defined as a caretaker using excessive force that results in bodily harm, pain and suffering in the nursing home resident.
- Sexual Abuse: Nursing home sexual abuse and assault happens when an individual engages in a non-consensual sexual act with a resident. In many instances, the resident is unable to communicate so they become a prime target.
- Psychological or Mental Trauma: This type of abuse can happen through both verbal and nonverbal behavior. Any action that knowingly causes emotional anguish of a resident can be considered psychological abuse, including verbal assaults, bullying and subjecting a resident to isolation and silent treatment.
Risk Factors of Nursing Home Abuse
There are several risk factors that can determine the likelihood a resident will experience some form of nursing home abuse. A high number of risk factors increases the chance of resident abuse in Phoenix nursing facilities. Risk factors can be classified as employee-related or facility-related.
Employees who are most likely to abuse residents may be suffering from any of the following:
- Alcohol or drug dependency
- Poor mental health
- Financial instability
- Isolation from society
It is important to find out a facility’s screening process when hiring staff before placing your loved one in a nursing home.
Additionally, the facility itself may increase the chances of nursing home abuse. Facility risks include overcrowding of residents, undertrained staff, inadequate or excessively absent personnel and lack of communication among staff members.
Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is important that you contact an experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorney right away. At Phillips Law Group, our nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting our seniors and ensuring that they receive justice for their suffering. Complete the free case evaluation form on this page to contact one of our nursing home negligence attorneys. Contact us to schedule a no obligation consultation in order to determine the best course of action in pursuing your legal options.
