There are various types of abuse that can be involved in DC nursing home abuse cases, primarily physical abuse and neglectful abuse. If you or a loved one have been subject to any type of abuse, it is important to contact a DC nursing home abuse attorney right away to protect your rights and pursue compensation for the damages suffered.
Physical abuse is defined as a situation whereby a resident of a nursing home sustains injuries as a result of the breach of the standard of care owed to the resident by the nursing home facility.
Physical abuse can occur in several ways. The act of physical abuse that is committed by a staff member of a nursing home or the neglect of the nursing home staff to perform their duties in accordance with the standard of care.
There are many warning signs to look for of physical abuse in DC nursing home abuse cases. It is important for a parent, friend or relative of a resident in a nursing home to communicate with the nursing home resident so they understand that they have the right to provide information regarding how they are being treated. It is also important for family members to look for any marks, or changes in behavior or personality which may be a sign of a larger problem.
All types of patient are vulnerable in different ways. When a patient is incapacitated, either by immobility or their inability to communicate, they are particularly susceptible to nursing home abuse.
If anyone believes that their loved one is being physically abused in DC nursing home, they should report the incident to the nursing home through the appropriate chain of command. They should also contact law enforcement and contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible so that all three entities can take the necessary steps to investigate the allegations giving rise to the claim.
Neglect is a general term that is used to describe malfeasance or a breach of the standard of care by a nursing home to a particular resident. Neglect can take on many different forms through either active abuse of a nursing home resident or the willful disregard for the resident’s care and treatment while in the care of a nursing home.
Neglect in a nursing home can arise out of many different situations. This type of abuse happens more often when the nursing home is either understaffed or over capacity. However, there are many different situations which give the opportunity for neglect to occur. Therefore, anyone who knows someone, or has a family member in a nursing home, should keep an open dialogue with nursing home residents about their stay there and allow the nursing home resident to provide any information regarding any mistreatment that may be going on.
Residents are in a nursing home setting because they can no longer care for themselves. Nursing home residents, by definition, are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of. This vulnerability can increase based upon the particular health or well-being of the nursing home resident. A nursing home resident who has limited ability to communicate can be particularly vulnerable to abuse. Likewise, a resident who has limited mobility and can no longer get around on their own can be subject to nursing home neglect or abuse.
Neglect can manifest itself in many different types of injuries. There can be mental harm to a nursing home resident through verbal abuse or isolation from other residents. There are many different types of abuse from a nursing home employee or the failure to provide the necessary care for the nursing home resident, and it is important to contact a DC injury attorney in the case of a suspicion of any injuries from abuse.
Anyone who believes that a family member or a loved one is being neglected should report the treatment to the facility in order to allow the internal mechanisms to go through the process. They should also contact an attorney and, based upon the circumstances of the neglect, should contact law enforcement when appropriate.
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