There is no excuse for nursing home abuse. No matter how you look at it, this is something that should never happen. Unfortunately, it is a problem that rears its ugly head time and time again.

From one side of the country to the next, there are thousands of nursing homes that share the same goal of caring for patients in need. However, some employees are not cut out for this line of work. For this reason, they begin to abuse patients in some way, shape, or form.

An Increase in Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Even though the number of reported nursing home abuse cases is on the rise, there are just as many instances that are never brought to the attention of the appropriate party. By visiting our Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect page, you can learn more about pinpointing the signs of abuse as well as tips on how to get help.

Here are a few numbers that you should know regarding nursing home abuse and neglect:

  • As many as five million elders are abused or neglected each year.
  • An estimated one in 10 seniors has been abused.
  • Abuse can include more than physical abuse. It can also include physical, emotional, or even financial.
  • Current statistics actually estimate the numbers to be much higher when accounting for victims who are unable, or unwilling, to report.
  • It is estimated that physical abuse is the most common type of elder abuse, with estimates as high as 10% of all abused elders.
  • Adult Protective Services (APS) has reported an increase in cases of elder abuse year after year.
  • Some studies estimate that for every one reported case, there are an estimated 24 unreported cases.
  • Studies estimate that seniors with dementia are at an increased risk of abuse, with as much as 50% experiencing some type of elder abuse.

Many people are unaware of the surprising numbers of nursing home and elder abuse. This number may be even more surprising if you have a loved one in a nursing home.

How Can I Deal With Nursing Home Abuse?

If you suspect that a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, the first thing you should do is remove them from the situation. Call 911 if the situation is immediate.

From there, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in nursing home abuse and neglect. Reporting the abuse or neglect is also important in protecting your loved one, as well as other seniors. As soon as you are sure that your loved one is safe, report the abuse or neglect to the state’s Department of Health. You also want to notify the management at the nursing home, so they can take the appropriate steps to correct the problem. Your lawyer can also help you report the abuse or neglect to the right parties.

Soon enough, you will have an experienced professional who is willing to hear your case and provide advice on how to move forward. Nursing home abuse is a serious problem. Contact us to learn more about your rights.

Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible for compensation to cover medical bills, rehabilitative fees, relocation fees, and pain and suffering.