Misconduct can Lead to Serious Injuries for Virginia Nursing Home Resident

When you help a loved one choose an assisted living center in Virginia, you trust the facility to comply with its legal and contractual duties. Unfortunately, some facilities may not meet your expectations in providing proper protection, safety, and care. Nursing home abuse and neglect are common, and they put all residents at risk of serious harm. It is difficult to track the trends and quantify the frequency of misconduct. The National Center on Elder Abuse reveals that reporting can be inaccurate and inconclusive, largely because of the vulnerabilities of the victims. 

Another challenge is defining the different forms of nursing home abuse, since it is often incumbent upon family members to recognize the signs that a resident is being mistreated. A Virginia nursing home injuries lawyer can advise you on your legal options, but be on the lookout for five types of misconduct that can cause harm to your loved one.

Physical Abuse: Intentional attacks are the most outrageous, horrific forms of nursing home abuse, as the victim may endure slapping, hitting, or punching. Physical mistreatment may also occur when an employee uses too much force in handling or transferring the resident from a bed. Keep in mind that unlawful restraints, including straps or cuffs, is also a type of abuse.

Sexual Misconduct: This type of misconduct is serious because it affects the resident physically and emotionally. The abuse may be actual penetration, offensive touching, or other acts. The following signs are definitely cause for concern:

• Bruising, abrasions, and other injuries around the genitals;
• Frequent urinary tract infections;
• Pregnancy, for residents of child-bearing age; or,
• Sexually transmitted disease.

Psychological Mistreatment: Though less visible, emotional abuse can have a devastating impact upon a resident who faces insults, shouting, demeaning comments, and other mistreatment at the hands of nursing home staff. Other examples of psychological abuse include: 

• Issuing physical threats;
• Preventing the resident’s access to visitors;
• Moving the person to an isolated area;
• Prohibiting the resident from using the facility’s amenities or privileges.

Financial Exploitation: Residents can be vulnerable to controlling and manipulation, especially when they are also experiencing other forms of abuse. A nursing home employee may gain access to the person’s assets, income, or public benefits. Suspicious transactions, emptied accounts, and changes to a will or estate plan are indications of financial exploitation. 

Nursing Home Neglect: Though not as extreme as intentional acts of abuse, your loved one is at risk of harm when the nursing home is negligent in managing the facility, its operations, and its personnel. Neglect is most common in assisted living centers that are understaffed, since frenzied employees can be careless. 

Talk to a Virginia Nursing Home Injuries Attorney About Your Legal Options

If you suspect these or other signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, it is critical to retain legal counsel right away. You need to take quick action to protect your loved one, as well as learn about your remedies for misconduct. For more information, please call Hampton Injury Law PLC to schedule a case evaluation with a Virginia nursing home injuries lawyer.