Virginia Nursing Home Financial Abuse Lawyer

Financial abuse in nursing homes is a serious issue, and each year, many patients are financially exploited by various parties. Financial abuse, like any other type of abuse, is often done behind closed doors, and some nursing homes unknowingly create environments that are ripe for abuse.

Fortunately, it is possible for financial abuse victims to fight back and reclaim their power. With the help of a Virginia nursing home financial abuse lawyer, victims and their families can hold negligent nursing homes and employees accountable for their actions.

Even if a person is not criminally charged with financial abuse, they can be held liable in a civil court with the help of a skilled personal injury attorney.

How Are Nursing Home Patients Financially Abused?

Financial abuse comes in a myriad of forms, but it almost always involves using manipulation, threats, or force to obtain money and material items from a person. Nursing home employees, other residents, and sometimes, family members or guardians may financially abuse vulnerable patients. In many cases, financial abusers may do the following to their victims:

  • Use their assets without permission
  • Steal money, checks, credit cards, or material items from them
  • Force the victim to cover their own expenses
  • Confiscate income and other sources of income from a victim
  • Demand a victim legally sign over their assets

Borrowing large sums of money without repaying it is another common form of financial abuse.

Why Do Victims Fail to Report Financial Abuse?

Nursing homes often house elderly and infirm individuals who may be susceptible to financial exploitation and manipulation. Often, these individuals suffer from medical conditions such as dementia, which make it impossible for them to make rational decisions and remember certain situations. Victims of financial abuse may even be in a childlike state.

Victims who do not suffer from medical conditions are often targeted due to their emotional state. Many nursing home residents feel isolated and depressed, and they may attempt to offer money to others in exchange for company and companionship.

It can be difficult to spot financial abuse, primarily because abusers usually threaten their victims. They may physically abuse their victims or verbally berate or harass them in an attempt to obtain money. Some abusers may even neglect patients who refuse to give them money.

Even when patients are not threatened, they may feel embarrassed about their situation. Many patients, especially those who are more independent and strong-willed, may feel responsible for their own predicaments. These feelings of shame and humiliation prevent many patients from reporting financial abuse to their families, law enforcement, or facility administrators.

The Role of Nursing Homes in Preventing Abuse

Nursing homes have an obligation to prevent the financial exploitation of their patients. Most nursing home employees are honest and hardworking, but there are some who are willing to financially abuse patients. Nursing homes can prevent this by hiring employees with clean criminal backgrounds and ensuring their patients have the means to report instances of exploitation.

Home administrators should also ensure patients do not abuse other patients. Patients who engage in such behaviors should be removed or disciplined in some manner. If a person is financially abused in a nursing home, a Virginia nursing home financial abuse lawyer may be able to help them.

Contact a Virginia Nursing Home Financial Abuse Attorney Today

Nursing home residents need their funds and assets to survive, but unfortunately, many are bullied and intimidated into financially providing for others. This is unacceptable, and if you or a loved one has been financially abused, you must take legal action before it is too late.

Even if your abuser is found not guilty in criminal court, you may still be able to obtain compensation for your suffering in civil court. Contact a Virginia nursing home financial abuse lawyer now.