Elder Abuse Attorneys in Oklahoma City
Elder Abuse/Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect FAQs
With advances in technology and health care, more and more people are living well into their eighth, ninth and even tenth decade. As a result of this trend, it is helpful to have information available should you believe an elderly loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse.
Question: What is elder abuse?
Answer: Elder abuse is a term referring to any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
- Physical Abuse - Inflicting, or threatening to inflict, physical pain or injury on a fragile elder, or depriving them of medicine, food or water.
- Emotional Abuse - Inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
- Sexual Abuse - Sexual contact of any kind without the consent of the elderly person.
- Financial Abuse - Misuse, concealment of funds, property, or assets of an elderly person.
- Neglect - Failure to provide food, shelter, or medical care for a vulnerable elder.
Question: Why are elderly people abused in nursing homes?
Answer: Unfortunately, many nursing homes are under-staffed or have poorly or inadequately trained staff. These circumstances can compromise the care a resident receives. Additionally, some elderly residents have family members who do not visit regularly; this isolation makes it difficult to detect abuse.
Question: What are some signs that my loved one is being abused?
Answer: Any sudden, suspicious or unexplained change in condition may be an indicator of abuse or neglect:
- Weight loss
- Bedsores
- Bruises
- Falls
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Unsanitary conditions
- Unexplained injuries
- Over medicated state of mind
- Changes in behavior
- Staff refusing or delaying visitors who want to see resident
- Venereal disease, vaginal or anal bleeding, stained or bloody underwear
Question: What can I recover if I file a lawsuit for my loved one's injury?
Answer: If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect you may be entitled to recover:
- Economic damages, which include compensation for present and future medical expenses, any present and future wage loss, impairment of earning capacity, and any other expenses incurred as a result of the injury.
- Non-economic damages, which include loss of quality of life, mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
- Physical impairment and disfigurement, which may include compensation for scars or physical disability as a result of the injuries.
Question: How can I get help if I feel my loved one has been abused in a nursing home?
Answer: Contact Our Oklahoma Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you have fallen victim to nursing home abuse or neglect and would like to discuss your Oklahoma nursing home abuse case, contact Ray Maples for a completely confidential and free case evaluation.
Call us toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (888) 226-6159. If you are from Oklahoma City, you can also call (405) 551-8864.
