Virginia Nursing Home Physical Abuse Attorneys
Nursing homes are specialized care facilities that provide necessary services to assist people with daily tasks as they age. When you decide that a nursing home is right for a family member, you trust that they will receive expert care and that the facility will help keep them healthy and safe. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes live up to this standard, and in the worst cases, nursing home staff may abuse the individuals in their care.
One of the most common types of abuse found in nursing facilities is physical abuse. Staff members may hurt or injure your loved ones physically, resulting in serious health concerns and emotional trauma. In extremely severe cases, this physical abuse may even result in your loved one’s death.
No one should have to endure physical abuse, and you have the power to fight back against this injustice. If a loved one experienced physical abuse at a nursing home, the attorneys at CHASENBOSCOLO are ready to help. We will assist you in ending this abuse, and we will fight for your right to fair compensation for the pain and suffering this abuser caused.
To best protect your loved one, you need to act quickly and start your lawsuit as soon as possible. Contact CHASENBOSCOLO at (703) 538-1138 today to start work on your case.
Why You Need a Lawyer
When a loved one is experiencing abuse, you may be feeling a wide variety of emotions, including heartbreak, frustration, and rage. You may even feel some guilt because, despite your best efforts, you could not prevent this abuse from occurring. When you are facing such intense emotional turmoil, you may be unable to think clearly about the situation, which may prevent you from building a strong and rational case. You need to work with a nursing home abuse attorney, who will ensure that your emotions do not cloud the facts of your physical abuse lawsuit.
Your lawyer will work with you, so they understand the details of your case and can tailor their legal strategies to meet your needs. An attorney will spend their time gathering evidence of the abuse and speaking with witnesses and nursing facility staff. Attorneys also have extensive resources they will use to strengthen your case, including expert witnesses who can provide testimony on your behalf. When you work with a lawyer, you will know that you have the facts necessary to support your case, which will help you end this abuse and obtain the financial recovery your family deserves.
Why Choose CHASENBOSCOLO
Since 1986, the attorneys at CHASENBOSCOLO have spent their time and energy fighting against injustice. With over 30 years of legal practice, our attorneys have the skills and experience you need to win your case. We understand that you are facing a serious and potentially life-threatening situation, and you need a lawyer who is as dedicated to your case as you are. That is why, when you work with us, you can expect unwavering professionalism and high-quality legal advice throughout the entirety of your lawsuit.
Furthermore, we know that the cost of a lawsuit may prevent many people from seeking the justice they deserve. CHASENBOSCOLO believes that no one should have to forfeit their right to justice because of legal fees. That is why we guarantee that you will pay no fees until you receive compensation for your case. Our attorneys are ready to fight to protect you and your loved ones against physical abuse in a nursing home, and we will ensure that you receive fair compensation for your pain.
What Is Nursing Home Physical Abuse?
Physical abuse in a nursing home occurs when someone is violent towards or physically harms a nursing home resident. This form of abuse may leave marks on the body or, if a serious injury occurs, it may require medical treatment. The most apparent type of physical abuse to a nursing home resident is active abuse, which may include a multitude of violent behaviors such as:
- Kicking
- Punching
- Slapping
- Pushing
- Choking
- Pinching
Although active abuse fits the most common description of physical abuse, other abusive behaviors may also cause physical harm to your loved one. Other types of physical abuse may include misuse of restraints and neglect of physical needs, such as food, water, or personal hygiene.
Nursing home staff are the most common physical abusers because they have the most frequent, unsupervised access to nursing home residents. However, other nursing home residents and even visitors may cause physical abuse in a nursing home.
To take appropriate legal action, it is important to know who is abusing your loved one in a nursing home. However, in many cases, the nursing home as a whole is responsible for this physical abuse, because it is their duty to provide a safe and caring environment for your loved ones.
Common Signs of Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is easier to recognize than many other forms of abuse because of the physical injuries that occur on the body. When you visit your loved one, it is important to look for warning signs of physical abuse, such as:
- Bruises, especially around the wrists or ankles
- Lacerations
- Dislocated joints
- Broken bones
- Patches of hair loss
- Burn marks
- Lost teeth
Older individuals are more likely to experience these types of physical injuries from day-to-day activities than younger people. However, the nursing facility should be able to provide a reasonable explanation as to how and why these injuries occurred. Injuries that occur too frequently or that require trips to a doctor or hospital may indicate that your loved one is experiencing physical abuse.
Although the physical marks of abuse are usually the most apparent, physical abuse also causes emotional trauma, which can impact your loved one’s behavior and attitude. Even if you do not see the physical signs of abuse, you should look for changes in your loved one’s personality, which could indicate abuse. Some of the most common emotional responses to abuse include:
- Anxiety or fear
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Withdrawing from others
- Refusing to eat or take medications
- Insomnia or sleeping more than usual
- Intense anger and mood swings
Even if your loved one is unable or unwilling to discuss the abuse they are experiencing, these emotional signs can be an important indicator of physical abuse. You may notice emotional symptoms when you are alone with your loved one, but the symptoms may increase when nursing home staff is present. Furthermore, if nursing home staff members will not allow you to spend time alone with your loved one, this may be another sign that your loved one is experiencing physical abuse.
When you recognize the physical or emotional signs of abuse in a nursing home, you need to seek help as soon as possible. In cases of nursing home physical abuse, it is likely your loved one is not the only resident who is in danger. Seeking justice for nursing home abuse not only protects your loved ones, but it can also prevent ongoing and future physical abuse from occurring.
Who Is at Risk of Physical Abuse in a Nursing Home?
Physical abuse can occur towards any resident in a nursing home, regardless of age, mobility, or gender. However, some residents have a greater risk of experiencing abuse, based on their physical capabilities and their ability to stop and report an attack. The nursing home residents who are at the highest risk of physical abuse include:
- Residents with degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, ALS, or Parkinson’s
- Residents who are isolated or receive visitors infrequently
- Residents with disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, or Down Syndrome
Many of these nursing home residents do not have the physical strength to prevent an attack, or they may have difficulty remembering or articulating the abuse which occurred. Additionally, residents who do not have frequent visitors may have fewer opportunities to discuss their physical abuse, and they may be unsure where to turn for help.
Unfortunately, physical abusers often choose these high-risk residents because they are less likely to be caught and punished for their actions.
No matter your loved one’s physical or mental status, it’s important that you watch for the signs of physical abuse. You may be the only one who can prevent physical abuse from reoccurring and threatening your loved one’s health and safety. A nursing home physical abuse lawsuit can help you seek justice for your loved ones and stop these abusive practices. Your lawsuit can also help you receive financial compensation to cover the cost of physical injuries, movement to a new nursing facility, and pain and suffering.
Contact CHASENBOSCOLO
If you or a loved one has experienced physical abuse in a nursing home, you deserve justice and fair compensation for the pain you have suffered. The attorneys at CHASENBOSCOLO understand the complexities of nursing home abuse cases, and we are ready to fight on your behalf. You need to start work on your lawsuit as soon as possible, so the person responsible cannot continue to cause harm. Contact CHASENBOSCOLO at (703) 538-1138 right now to discuss your case with one of our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys.
