In Massachusetts, nursing home abuse is considered harm imposed on elderly residents who should be able to trust that they are safe in the care of the facility and its staff members. This looks like physical harm and either emotional or sexual abuse, if not both.
Neglect is also a form of abuse, as is financial exploitation and the failure to provide adequate care, resulting in harm to affected residents. If you are worried that someone you love is not being treated properly, it’s important to listen to your intuition and trust your gut.
As soon as you suspect that your loved one is in harm’s way, contact a Boston nursing home abuse lawyer. You might feel powerless, but you have rights, and your attorney will advocate for the safety of your loved one and work on holding the right parties accountable.
Understanding the Different Categories of Abuse
Nursing home abuse isn’t always obvious. That’s why it’s so important for victims—as well as their family members and friends—to know the many forms of abuse, which include:
- Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, or restraining a resident often results in side effects like unexplained bruises, painful cuts, or broken bones.
- Emotional or verbal abuse: Yelling, belittling, threatening, or isolating someone will likely leave them with deep psychological scars, even if this happens in the absence of visible injuries.
- Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact or harassment usually causes older adults to experience intense shame or silence themselves out of fear, which makes it that much harder to document what’s happening.
- Neglect: Actively choosing not to provide residents with adequate food, hygiene care, or proper help might manifest as bed sores, serious dehydration, and untreated illnesses, all of which are red flags.
- Financial exploitation: Misusing a resident’s money, stealing property from them, or coercing them into signing documents are three examples of ways by which elderly residents are exploited financially.
Massachusetts state laws let victims pursue compensation for both physical harm and emotional suffering. The sooner you take action on behalf of your loved one, the more time their attorney will have to gather relevant evidence and build a case in their name.
The Emotional Toll of Nursing Home Abuse
Pain and suffering are unfortunate realities for many nursing home abuse victims, as well as their friends and families. Emotional trauma often lingers for a long time, and it manifests in the following ways:
- Anxiety and depression due to feeling unsafe in what should be a secure environment
- Total loss of dignity and independence
- Sleep disturbances or withdrawal from social interactions
- Guilt, stress, sadness, and anger
These psychological impacts are recognized by Massachusetts under the state’s personal injury laws, and the compensation that you receive will likely reflect these losses. For more insight into what this will look like for you specifically, contact an attorney right away.
Red Flags That Often Signify the Need for Immediate Action
It’s very important for families to be vigilant. Even though Massachusetts nursing homes are required to follow strict care standards, violations happen. While all concerns should be taken seriously, these are red flags that warrant immediate action:
- Unexplained bruises or fractures, especially in residents who are not prone to falls
- Bed sores or pressure ulcers due to neglect in turning or repositioning residents
- Weight loss or dehydration suggesting inadequate nutrition or care
- Changes in behavior, fearfulness, or sudden aggression
- Poor hygiene, dirty clothing, unkempt hair, or unclean bedding
- Chronic infections due to untreated wounds
- Complications from untreated medical conditions, like diabetes or hypertension
- Increased risk of injuries due to little to no supervision
- Emotional manipulation or intimidation
- Isolation from friends or family
- Withholding activities, social interaction, or privileges
- Refusal to provide necessary medical treatment
Each of these issues contributes to a decline in the well-being of elderly residents. They are worth kindness, compassion, decency, and genuine care. If you are able to be a voice for someone experiencing nursing home abuse, do not hesitate to speak up.
Call Jason Stone Injury Lawyers Today to Understand if Your Case is Considered Nursing Home Abuse
Trying to understand if your loved one is on the receiving end of nursing home abuse is hard, especially when these matters are inherently sensitive and emotional. But who says you have to handle this situation all by yourself? Let Jason Stone Injury Lawyers assist you.
With 21-plus years of experience, our attorneys have handled more than 15,000 cases, and we have recovered over $250 million for our clients. As part of our Stone Cold Guarantee®, you never have to reach into your pocket to pay us.
We’ll help your family collect evidence, document medical concerns, and communicate with facilities or insurers. As a local law firm, we take care of our own because Massachusetts is our home. Contact us today for help advocating for a loved one being hurt by nursing home abuse.
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