Emotional Abuse and Neglect Endanger Our Loved Ones
When you or someone you love is abused in a nursing home or neglected by a caretaker, you may have the right to file a claim and collect monetary damages.
Nursing home abuse and neglect occur in New York with alarming frequency. Some statistics show that it is a problem affecting 1 in 3 nursing home residents. No one enters a nursing home thinking the people they are hiring to care for themselves or a loved one will cause harm. Unfortunately, the ways in which caretakers abuse nursing home patients are abundant.
Abuse of our elderly family members usually falls into one of the following categories:
- Physical abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
Of this group, neglect and emotional abuse may be the most difficult to detect but can leave injuries equal to or more severe than bruises or broken bones.
If you suspect that someone is emotionally abused or neglected in a nursing home, consider seeking help immediately. Contact nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP. We can investigate your situation and let you know if you have a claim against the nursing home. It is crucial that you get assistance protecting the safety and legal rights of the abuse victim.
What Is Emotional Abuse in a Nursing Home?
Unlike physical abuse, there are no apparent marks from emotional abuse. It is also not likely to be criminal in nature. Because there is often no visible physical evidence of emotional abuse, it is up to people to be on the lookout for signs that the person you love is being mistreated. You may have no idea it is happening unless you witness emotional abuse firsthand.
When a caretaker or other individual acts to cause emotional pain and suffering to the victim, it is emotional abuse. Emotional abuse can be intentional or unintentional. It can also be verbal or non-verbal. Regardless of the intent behind or nature of the abuse, it is wrong. Before the victim suffers additional psychological harm, the abuse must be stopped. The nursing home should be held liable for the emotional injuries of the victim.
Emotional abuse can cause anxiety, fear, depression, humiliation, agitation, sadness, anger, and confusion for the victim. Nursing homes patients cannot always express their suffering, report the abuse or confront their abuser. They may be physically incapable of doing so or just too afraid.
Verbal, emotional abuse includes behavior such as:
- Yelling
- Threatening
- Intimidating
- Name-calling
- Screaming
- Insulting
- Using baby-talk or other humiliating language or tone
- Blaming
- Being mean
- Harassment
- Verbal manipulation
If you are visiting a loved one and witness this type of abuse you should advise the proper nursing home administrators. There may be evidence of a pattern of wrongful behavior that is causing distress to your loved one. Contact our nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer for a consultation to ensure the victim’s legal rights and emotional well-being receive adequate protection.
Non-Verbal Emotional Abuse Includes Neglect
Non-verbal emotional abuse may be the most challenging type of abuse to spot, but it can have horrible consequences for nursing home patients. It can leave them terrified, isolated, and helpless.
Common types of non-verbal emotional abuse and neglect include:
- Ignoring the patient
- Withholding affection
- Taking or hiding important or meaningful personal items
- Treating the victim as a child
- Isolating the patient from other residents or visitors
- Giving “the silent treatment.”
- Withholding food, water or medicine
- Refusing to clean or bathe the patient
- Refusing to change soiled clothing or linens
- Restricting the patient’s access to the outdoors
- Refusing to take the patient to the restroom
You May Be Able to Hold a Nursing Home Liable When Employees Abuse Residents
When a nursing home operator hires employees and takes charge of you or your loved ones, they are responsible for the health and safety of the residents. They should maintain a safe, secure space and to provide necessities and care for their patients.
The nursing home may be responsible for the actions of their employees.
If someone was negligent during the hiring or training process, for example, the nursing home may be held accountable for injuries caused by that employee. Cases against nursing homes for emotional abuse and neglect are often based on the following premises:
- The nursing home failed to do a proper background check and hired a dangerous employee
- The nursing home did not adequately train the workers
- The nursing home did not have policies and procedures in place to maintain the safety of residents
- The nursing home did not properly supervise staff members
- The nursing home did not adequately discipline employees
- The nursing home did not take sufficient steps to protect its patients
The best way to find out if you can hold the nursing home liable for the injuries you or your loved one suffered is to speak with our experienced nursing home lawyer who handles emotional abuse cases.
Contact Alonso Krangle, LLP About Your Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Claim
At Alonso Krangle, LLP, our New York nursing abuse attorneys have the skills, experience, and compassion to help you and your loved one navigate the complexities of nursing home abuse cases. We can investigate your claim, interview the people involved and determine the course of action that will best protect the rights and safety of the victim. We can help collect damages from the nursing home and ensure that your loved one is compensated to the full extent possible under the law.
Call Alonso Krangle today for a consultation if you or a loved one is being emotionally abused or neglected in a nursing home. Call us now at 800-403-6191.