/ Practice Areas/ Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Indianapolis, IN

The Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services defines elder abuse as “any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.”

When you are unable to care for aging loved ones, a nursing home can be a loving alternative. You expect the people you entrust to care for your loved one to provide the same nurturing attention you would give them at home. You deserve to trust that your loved ones are cared for and treated with dignity and respect.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Nursing home abuse or neglect is not uncommon and can prompt a family to seek out the assistance of a nursing home abuse lawyer in Indiana in order to help hold the nursing home accountable.

Types of Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

Nursing home and elder abuse can take many forms:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Neglect

To help identify elder abuse, it’s important for you to be familiar with the warning signs. These can include unexplained injuries, poor sanitation and hygiene, and malnutrition.

If you suspect an elderly loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, file a report with a state or local agency.

Causes of Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

Nursing home abuse and elder abuse can be driven by several factors. For example, nursing home abuse or neglect can be a result of administrators or owners who are focused on profit instead of care. Common causes of nursing home abuse and/or elder abuse include the following:

• Lack of or improper staff training
• Failure to adequately manage nursing home
• Low/poor staff pay/wages
• Understaffing

Some for-profit nursing homes prioritize profit over meeting the needs of their residents by hiring qualified staff. Low-quality facilities are also a common cause of nursing home neglect or abuse. Failure to provide residents with basic amenities, repairs, and well-trained staff members can lead to neglect.

Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect are slightly different from one another. Nursing home abuse is typically an intentional act, while neglect stems from lack of care. Although early signs of nursing home abuse or neglect may not be noticeable, it is important for relatives to consider all factors when choosing a home for their loved ones.

What to Do if You’ve Experienced Nursing Home or Elder Abuse

Nursing home abuse can include physical, emotional, or financial abuse of an elder. If you suspect that you or a loved one are a victim of nursing home abuse or elder abuse, follow these steps:

• Recognize signs – signs can include problems with medication, sudden decline in condition, bedsores, staff unwilling to allow you access to your loved one, new or unplanned injuries
• Report – if you suspect abuse or neglect of your loved one, contact authorities by calling 911
• Gather information – gathering information is important to support your claim that your loved one has been abused as well as an official investigation
• Remove – remove yourself or your loved one from the facility in which suspected abuse or neglect is occurring

Lastly, reach out to the Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Wilson Kehoe Winingham. With years of experience, we have what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve.

Types of Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse & Elder Abuse

Damages in a nursing home abuse lawsuit depend on the victim’s injuries or losses. There are three types of compensation a victim or victim’s loved ones may be awarded depending on specific circumstances:

• Economic damages and financial losses such as hospital bills or stolen money
• Non-economic damages such as compensation for emotional and physical pain and suffering
• Punitive damages such as compensation punishing a defendant for intentionally harmful behavior

It’s important to gather supporting evidence to make a good case for receiving compensation.

Statute of Limitations

In the state of Indiana, you have two years to file a Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit or claim.

Contact a Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Attorney Today

If you suspect that your elderly loved one is being abused or neglected, contact the Indianapolis Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.