Lexington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Too many elderly residents suffer abuse in nursing facilities. If your loved one has been injured, call a Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer for legal help with each step. A skilled personal injury attorney in the Lexington area could review your case and work to file a persuasive claim.

At first, you might be unsure of how to proceed. This is why it is essential to hire attorneys who understand your unique case and who tailor their approach to meet your needs. At Becker Law Office, our legal team has experience handling claims against nursing homes and negligent staff. If you want to seek justice:

Better Call Becker
Before It’s Too Late!

We work tirelessly for our clients to gather evidence, determine fault, and file lawsuits to request full and fair compensation.

Nursing Home Abuse Takes Many Forms

Nursing home residents can be abused in many ways. A Lexington area attorney can review the circumstances of your case and work to identify the type of abuse a nursing home resident has suffered.

Generally, abuse falls into one of five categories:

• Physical abuse —otherwise known as an unlawful use of force. Signs can include cuts, bruises, or burn marks, and can also arise from excessive use of restraints;
• Sexual abuse —a caretaker or resident who makes unwanted sexual contact with a resident may face both criminal and civil charges;
• Emotional abuse —Examples include yelling, harassing, threatening, or ignoring a resident. Both verbal and nonverbal acts can constitute emotional abuse;
• Financial abuse —Any unauthorized use of a resident’s money or other assets. This type of abuse can take many forms, from forging checks to stealing jewelry. In the worst cases, a staff member could coerce or threaten a resident into signing over a deed or rewriting a will to favor themselves;
• Neglect — When a caregiver refuses (or simply fails) to provide the care a resident requires, they could be committing neglect. This failure to provide care can be intentional, or it can stem from other causes like not having enough competent staff.

How to Identify Nursing Home Abuse

The warning signs of abuse are not always immediately apparent. Knowing how to spot some common signs of abuse, however, is crucial in protecting the safety and well-being of your loved ones. The following are some common indicators of different types of abuse a resident of a nursing home might suffer:

Physical Signs of Abuse

Physical signs of abuse typically are the easiest to identify, if you know what to look for. If you know a nursing home resident showing any of the following symptoms, they may be experiencing physical abuse in their nursing home.

• Unexplained cuts and bruises
• Signs of dehydration and malnutrition
• Broken bones or fractures with no explanation
• Bedsores or ulcers, particularly those in advanced stages
• Signs of sexual abuse
• Drastic changes in weight
• Signs of overmedication

Emotional or Psychological Signs of Abuse

While not always outwardly apparent, the toll of emotional or psychological abuse on a nursing home resident can be just as devastating as physical abuse. Be sure to watch for any of the following warning signs of emotional elder abuse.

• Fearfulness or anxiety, especially around certain staff members
• Unusual or unexplained changes in behavior, mood or personality, such as becoming withdrawn or easily agitated
• Being guarded about quality of care within the facility

Outward Signs of Abuse

Observing the behavior of the caregivers and the nursing home environment itself can also be telling of potential abuse against residents. Be mindful of the following warning signs of improper treatment or care of nursing home residents.

• Avoidant, aggressive or defensive behavior from caregivers when asked about residents’ conditions
• Unsafe living conditions in the facility or poor hygiene such as dirty bedding, bathrooms or kitchen and common areas
• Unexplained financial transactions or missing items
• Delayed or inadequate medical care
• Residents explicitly expressing fear or discomfort or any other type of reporting mistreatment or abuse

The Need to Act Quickly in Lexington, Kentucky

Even when a claim is valid, it is important to understand the need to take quick legal action. If a lawsuit is not filed promptly, the statute of limitations may expire. Once passed, a claimant might face a dismissal and be barred from recovering compensation.

For these cases, the deadline may be as little as one year. This date is usually calculated from the date the abuse is first discovered. A Lexington lawyer with experience in nursing home mistreatment claims could help to meet this deadline.

Let a Lexington Nursing Home Attorney Help

Not every attorney has the experience needed to take on these complex cases. That is why it is vital to hire a Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer who will see your claim through to the end.

With the guidance of a Lexington area nursing home abuse attorney at Becker Law Office, you could better understand your legal rights and options moving forward. To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us today.