Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: What to Look For

Sexual abuse is an unfortunate reality in many New York nursing homes. And while these facilities are trusted by families to protect and care for their elderly loved ones, far too many of them allow this violation to take place. When nursing homes fail to take reasonable steps to keep their residents safe, victims’ families can take legal action. It starts with recognizing the most common signs of sexual abuse. The nursing home injury attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. are here to guide you. The duties of nursing facilities By law, nursing home residents in New York are entitled to “dignity, respect and a comfortable living environment,” among other rights. This means nursing home staff owe their residents a duty to keep them reasonably safe from all forms of abuse, including sexual. Sexual abuse can happen at the hands of nursing home staff members, which obligates the facilities to conduct background checks on their employees and establish other safeguards. However, a patient can also be victimized by another resident in the facility or an outside visitor. Again, this means the facility must do what is reasonably necessary to protect the welfare of all residents. If there is evidence that the nursing home somehow neglected to keep their patients safe, and therefore permitted sexual abuse to occur, the victim and/or the victim’s family can take legal action to hold the facility liable. Signs you need to know about The National Center on Elder Abuse advises family members to keep an eye out for these and other signs: Bruising near the inner thighs, the genital area, or the breasts Torn, stained, or bloodied underclothing Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding, irritation, or pain Unusual difficulty walking or sitting Displays of extreme agitation or fear Unusual interactions between the victim and the alleged abuser Withdrawal from social situations Depression and anxiety attacks Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms Suicide attempts Nursing home residents tend to be isolated and are sometimes even forgotten by their loved ones. Sexual predators, which may include nursing home employees, often seek victims who they know are not going to have much communication with the outside world. Therefore, the single best way to minimize the likelihood of sexual abuse happening is to visit and communicate with your family member often. What to do if you notice signs of abuse If you suspect that your loved one is being sexually abused in a nursing home, you should retain legal counsel immediately. Nursing homes often cover up or destroy evidence of abuse or take steps to make it difficult for family members to learn the truth. Also, abuse that is allowed to continue will almost certainly get worse and could endanger the health or life of your loved one. An experienced nursing home injury attorney can put a stop to the abuse and conduct an investigation to uncover what happened. This includes taking steps to obtain and preserve evidence of the facility’s negligence. Finally, your lawyer will seek compensation for the injuries your family member suffered. Medical bills and pain and suffering are just two examples of potential damages you or your loved one can ask a court to award. Criminal proceedings may be proper as well. Seeking Justice for Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Victims Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. is committed to standing up for elderly victims and their families. Our attorneys work to hold nursing facilities liable for failing to keep their residents safe from abuse and neglect. If your loved one has been sexually abused in a nursing home, or you believe he or she has been abused, give us a call today.

Nursing home neglect is a persistent problem throughout the country. In the year 2020 alone, there were over 15,000 complaints of nursing home abuse or neglect filed, with 14% (2,100) of those reports concerning gross neglect. One common sign of nursing home neglect is the presence of bedsores on the patient. Recognizing this and other evidence that your loved one is not being taken care of is essential to demanding justice and compensation. Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. advocates on behalf of nursing home patients who have been injured by neglect, abuse, and irresponsible conduct. We’re ready to review your case today. What are bedsores and why do they occur? Also called pressure sores, bedsores are injuries that develop in immobile (usually bedridden) nursing home patients. These painful sores occur when pressure from the patient’s weight restricts blood supply to the skin and tissue. The tissue can die and open up, leaving a wound that can easily become infected if it is not properly and promptly treated. Among the most basic responsibilities of nursing home staff members is to monitor their patients. That includes taking steps to shift and move patients so they are not lying or sitting constantly in the same place and develop bedsores as a result. Basically, these sores should not occur if the patient is being treated well. If not, the patient and his or her family may have cause for legal action. Why bedsores are so serious In addition to being painful, bedsores can lead to the potentially life-threatening complication of sepsis. These injuries may take months to heal and can aggravate other underlying health problems. They can be found on different parts of the body, including: Hips Lower back Tailbone Back or side of the head Shoulder blades Ankles Heels How bedsores point to negligence Numerous factors make bedsores more likely to occur, including: Inattentive staff Understaffing Unsanitary conditions Malnutrition Dehydration Inexperience with how to treat patients and bedsores Wet or tender skin Constant friction against sheets and linens These conditions should not be present if the nursing home is responsibly taking action to prevent abuse or neglect. Symptoms to look for As a family member, it will likely be your job to be the advocate your loved one needs. Nursing home patients are often isolated, lack sufficient mental capacity to understand they are being neglected, or too intimidated to speak up. By recognizing these and other symptoms, you can take a step in helping your loved one get the help they need: Sore or tender areas of the skin Unusual changes in skin color Changes in skin texture Swelling Pus-like draining An area of skin that feels warmer or cooler to the touch relative to other areas Bedsores are generally categorized in stages, with each successive stage indicating more severity. Stage 4 bedsores are the most serious and can cause extensive damage to deep tissues, tendons, and joints. Contact Our Nursing Home Injury Team Bedsores are a strong indication of nursing home neglect. Everyone who resides in a nursing home should be treated with the highest level of professional care and dignity. When this doesn’t happen, and a patient develops bedsores and other injuries, there will likely be extensive medical bills, pain and suffering and emotional distress, and sometimes even death. Your family member deserves better than this. Contact Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. today to learn how our dedicated nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can stand up for your loved one. Call us today.

Nursing home injuries are frighteningly common, and most of them are due to neglect or outright abuse on the part of staff. Sadly, many facilities view the elderly as expendable. They fail to train staff, overlook gross negligence, and allow their premises to become unsafe and unhealthy. By the same token, it’s not always easy to prove that a nursing home resident has been harmed. If you have a family member who resides in one of these facilities, it is critical that you recognize the signs of abuse and neglect. Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. can help you seek justice for your loved one. The different forms of abuse and neglect There are four broad categories of nursing home abuse and neglect: physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, and financial. Some residents fall victim to all of these types, and others. Even worse, the abuse or neglect could persist for months or even years without intervention. Most abused and neglected nursing home patients share one thing in common: absent or uninvolved family members. The more infrequent that relatives visit or call the resident, the more likely he or she will become a victim. The best way you can protect your loved one is to visit and call often, let the staff become acquainted with you, and quickly report any problems you notice to management. Even so, this cannot absolutely guarantee that your family member won’t be harmed. Therefore, it will be critical to know how to recognize abuse and neglect. What to look for Every case of abuse and neglect is different, but consider the following common signs: Physical Bedsores Malnutrition and dehydration Burns, blisters, and bruises Unexplained broken bones and related injuries Changes in behavior Poor hygiene Sudden or unexplained death when there were no urgent health problems Sexual Ripped, torn, or bloody clothing Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or infections Bruising in the thighs and groin area Reluctance to answer questions about potential abuse Pain in the pelvic area Difficulty walking or sitting Emotional/psychological Anxiety attacks Depression Social or family withdrawal Loss of enjoyment of life Displays of fear or intimidation in the presence of nursing home staff Sudden changes in behavior or mood Financial Missing money or property Missing bank statements and other records Abrupt changes to a last will and testament, power of attorney, or other instrument A stranger suddenly taking unusual interest in your loved one’s property or finances Unexplained financial transactions Unpaid bills Who can be held liable? Although nursing home doctors and staff are often to blame for abuse and neglect, that blame is not always direct. For example, much abuse happens at the hands of other residents. This does not necessarily relieve the facility of any liability, however, since the nursing home is ultimately responsible for the foreseeable conduct of its patients. An experienced nursing home injury lawyer will seek to identify any and all responsible parties that may be held liable. The Bottom Line: Vigilance Is Key Keeping an eye on the health and safety of your loved one is not always easy. Many nursing home residents suffer dementia and other mental deficiencies, meaning they cannot speak up for themselves. Even those who can say something often do not because they are afraid of retribution or are embarrassed. It is therefore your job to be on the lookout for evidence that your family member is being harmed. If you suspect this is the case, our law firm can put an end to the abuse or neglect and help you seek monetary compensation. Call Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. today to learn more about your legal options.