Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

One of the hardest decisions you may have to make as a family is moving your loved one into a Hazleton nursing home or assisted living facility. One of the factors in making your decision is keeping your loved one safe from harm. But sometimes, the nursing home can be just as a dangerous living situation to be in.

If you suspect your loved one is currently being abused or neglected by the nursing facility staff, don’t wait to take action. Instead, contact a Hazleton nursing home lawyer at Caputo & Mariotti. With decades of experience, we understand the pain you’re currently experiencing and will do everything we can to get justice for those who are suffering from neglect and abuse.

Nursing Home Abuse in Hazleton

It’s a sad fact that elder abuse runs rampant not only in Hazleton or Northeastern Pennsylvania, but in the United States as a whole. According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older have experienced some form of abuse in community settings within the last year. Approximately 2 in 3 staff members report that they have committed abuse and some studies have shown that only 53% of these incidents are reported.

What is considered nursing home abuse? There are various types of abuse, including:

• Physical abuse, such as kicking, shoving, punching, slapping or cutting
• Sexual abuse, including groping or receiving unwanted or forced contact
• Verbal abuse, such as mocking, screaming, chastising, or degrading
• Financial exploitation, including altering financial documents or changing a person’s will
• Abandonment or neglect

 

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Nursing Home Neglect?

There could be a variety of parties that can be held accountable for a loved one’s abuse. The first to be held responsible is the staff. Many are overworked and underpaid which can cause tempers to become short and frustration to rise. They may not mean to cause the neglect, but it happens nonetheless.

Other parties that can be held accountable include the administrators who allow this type of abuse to occur. Some indications that the nursing home is turning a blind eye to the abuse includes:

• Ignoring your family member who tries to ask for help.
• Improperly administering medications in an attempt to keep the patient calm.
• Poor attitudes toward the residents, such as belittling them in front of other residents.
• Not responding to any conflicts between residents.

 

Signs of Abuse to Watch For

Some common signs of nursing home abuse that you should watch out for include:

• Unexplained injuries such as bruising, scratches, or cuts
• Emotional changes such as anxiety, depression, or anger
• Unexplained bank withdrawals or changes to financial documents
• Confusion
• Unusual weight loss or lack of appetite
• Malnutrition
• Lack of personal hygiene

 

What Can You Do to Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Hazleton?

The first thing you should do is ask your family member if they are being abused. This can be a hard conversation to have and chances are you won’t receive an honest answer. If your loved one denies abuse is occurring and you still suspect wrongdoing, there are actions you can take.

First, document anything that you witness. This includes writing down the date, time, and the signs of abuse you have witnessed. It may also be helpful to take photographs of the injuries, if your loved one will allow you to do so.

Once you have evidence, confront the nursing home staff and administration with the information. Ask them about what you have witnessed and what you think is going on with your loved one. Demand that the facility explain what’s going on and they take action to protect not only your loved one, but all the residents at the nursing home. If you suspect your loved one is in immediate danger, you should call emergency services right away.

Another option is to report the abuse to the Luzerne County Department of Human Services by calling 800-252-1512. According to the Older Adults Protective Services Act, all suspected acts of abuse should be reported to prevent them from continuing.

And finally, contact an experienced Hazleton nursing home abuse lawyer to represent you.

Our Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer is Here For Your Family

Caputo & Mariotti understand the pain you and your family must feel during this time. No one should be the subject of abuse, even if that abuse is unintended. That’s why our Hazleton nursing home abuse attorney will do everything in their power to get you and your loved one out of the situation and compensated for your injuries.