Virginia Nursing Home Physical Abuse Lawyer

A Virginia nursing home physical abuse lawyer can help you through an issue relating forceful situations in nursing homes. Physical abuse can refer to any type of physical injury or deprivation that causes physical injury or other manifestations of lack of care resulting in physical harm to another. When the abuse takes place in a nursing home environment, it is referred to as physical abuse in nursing homes. If you are facing issues with a nursing home abuse situation, call a professional attorney today.

Examples of Physical Abuse in Virginia Nursing Homes

Common examples of physical abuse in nursing homes are injuries from assault or battery, such as intentional punching, bruising, and scratching. Some restraints can cause physical injury. Prolonged restraint can cause injury to wrists, arms, and ankles being held in place by restraint. The lack of water and lack of lighting can cause deprivation injuries.

Other injuries include bed sores, pressure sores, infections caused by hygiene issues, lack of diaper care and changing, and things of that nature. A person can suffer a variety of injuries as a result of physical abuse in nursing homes. Some physical injuries can be caused by the negligence of others including slips and falls, trips and falls, and bathroom injuries.

Warning Signs

There are many warning signs that a loved one is being physically abused in a Virginia nursing home environment. They present as common physical injuries like bruising, scarring, bandages, and red marks that lead one to believe the person is suffering physically and outwardly.

Other times, the signs are not so obvious. There may be different clothing or dressings that someone is unfamiliar with that prevent the discovery of physical signs of abuse. The patient exhibits signs that are indicative of physical injury. They refuse to talk about certain things, have no appetite, have a lack of sleep, and display anxiety. These can be indicators that physical abuse is occurring in the nursing home environment.

Patients Vulnerable to Physical Abuse

Older patients are more vulnerable when they do not have an extended local family structure checking in on them. Patients with physical or mental limitations are especially vulnerable. These patients are unable to defend themselves against physical abuse. Some patients are unable to recall the details of physical abuse or they have other mental issues that affect their ability to communicate. Patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, patients who cannot communicate, patients with serious medical conditions such as stroke, and patients with limitations on speech or communication all have conditions that can affect their ability to report to their loved ones that they are experiencing abuse.

Using Excessive Force

It is never acceptable for nursing homes to use excessive force. When the nursing home resident exhibits behaviors due to a physical or mental illness that may result in harm to them, the nursing home has a responsibility to make sure they do not harm themselves or others. The use of excessive force must be tailored to make sure it does not restrict someone’s rights or causes injury unnecessarily.

Calling a Virginia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If a person believes that someone is being physically abused in a nursing home environment, there are steps they should take. A person should first contact a qualified nursing home attorney to request the patient’s relevant medical records from a nursing home. The patient should immediately be transferred out of that nursing home to a more suitable nursing home environment if possible.

An experienced nursing home abuse attorney typically employs a team of investigators and experts who can look at the data and determine whether a true case of abuse occurred. They may also contact the local law enforcement for nursing home abuse to inform them of the abuse as it might be a criminal offense. It is important to contact all relevant authorities to make sure a loved one is safe from nursing home abuse.