Physical Abuse of the Elderly

Physical abuse can take on many different forms, including but not limited to:

Biting Shoving Slapping Aggressively Shaking Kicking Punching Pushing Jerking Restraining Sexually Harassing
Depending on the severity of the abuse, your loved one may suffer serious injuries that could cause permanent damage. Besides the physical signs of abuse, you should also pay attention to your loved one’s behavior. Often, victims tend to refuse to speak or take their medication. They may also isolate themselves and have frequent outbursts that you have never witnessed before. These are all signs physical abuse, so when you spot any of them, do your part to protect your loved one.

Making the decision to put your loved one in a nursing home is never easy, so when you do make this call, it’s heartbreaking to find out your loved one has suffered as a result. Luckily, the law protects your loved one from having to suffer in silence. Any member of the nursing home staff that is found guilty of abusing your loved one could face criminal charges that carry jail time and fines. If the abuse occurred as a result of the nursing home’s negligence, you may also be entitled to file a civil suit against the nursing home to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and more.

Discuss your legal options with a personal injury attorney as soon as you see signs of abuse including bruises, cuts, bedsores, broken bones, or frequent infections. Our attorneys can help you understand your loved one’s rights under both federal and state laws.