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Washington, D.C. Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When you place your loved one under the care of a nursing home facility, you trust that they will be treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. It may never cross your mind that they could be abused or neglected by those entrusted with their care. Yet, sadly, this is a reality for hundreds of thousands of seniors in the U.S. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, you can depend on a seasoned D.C. nursing home abuse lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer | If You’ve Been Wronged, We’ll Make it Right

If you have reason to believe that your loved one has been abused or neglected, now is the time to take action. Speak with a compassionate Washington, D.C. injury lawyer at Simeone & Miller, LLP to learn more about your rights. Our team will review your case in a free, no-obligation consultation, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call or contacting us online.

Examples of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Nursing home abuse is not just limited to physical abuse. Elder abuse can also take place in the form of emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and neglect. If you have questions about nursing home abuse, including whether or not you have a case, contact the team at Simeone & Miller, LLP today for a free initial consultation.

Common examples of nursing home abuse include:

  • Immobile patients are not moved or rotated, leading to bed sores
  • Residents who are at risk of falling are not properly supervised
  • Residents who suffer from dementia wander out of the facility
  • Residents are not given the proper dosage or type of medication
  • Residents are deprived of basic necessities, like food and water
  • Life-threatening medical conditions are ignored by staff members

Wrongful Death from Nursing Home Abuse

In some cases, wrongful death can result from abuse or neglect. If you lost a loved one to a negligent nursing home, you can seek financial compensation on your loved one’s behalf. In Washington, D.C., a representative of the victim’s estate can initiate a claim. To file a successful wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that the care of the nursing home not only breached the accepted standard, but also resulted in the death of your loved one.

Because nursing home residents often have pre-existing medical conditions, it is important to work with a nursing home abuse attorney who can investigate your case and prove that the death wasn’t caused by these conditions, but by negligent care.

Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

While some signs of nursing home abuse or neglect are obvious, others can go undetected by loved ones and family members. In order to stop or prevent further abuse, you will need to know how to spot the warning signs.

Some of the most common signs of elder abuse include:

  • Unexplained bruises, lacerations, sprains, or bone fractures
  • Sudden changes in behavior, such as agitation or depression
  • Tension between staff members and the nursing home resident
  • Poor personal hygiene, soiled bedding, or signs of malnutrition
  • Signs of over-medication or, alternatively, under-medication
  • Noticeably hazardous or unsanitary living conditions

Financial Exploitation of the Elderly

Financial exploitation can hurt anyone, but elderly individuals are especially susceptible to scams and other types of deception. Many seniors suffer from physical disabilities, have poor memories, and are less savvy with technology, making them more vulnerable than most. Plus, many scams target seniors specifically because they often have more money stored away than most young people who are just starting out. Unfortunately, this type of abuse can occur anywhere, but nursing home residents might be more in danger than most.

Who Is Responsible for Financial Abuse?

Anyone who comes in contact with your elderly loved one could potentially take advantage of them, but consistent caregivers or visitors are the most likely culprits. In most cases, the person who takes advantage of the elderly is someone they have come to trust or rely on. They might be a caretaker, relative, neighbor, nursing home employee, doctor, nurse, or even a counselor or pastor.

Know the Signs

Your loved one might not even be aware he or she is being exploited, in which case you may not notice behavioral changes. When the exploited party is unaware, changes to their bank account, credit cards, credit score, or legal documents might be a better indicator that something is amiss. If you notice unexplained purchases, money transfers, new credit cards, or a sudden drop in your loved one’s credit score, it is time to investigate.

Sometimes, the exploiter might also try to work with the elderly individual and their attorney to obtain certain rights through a power of attorney. They might even try to change a will or trust to establish themselves as beneficiaries.

If the elderly person is confronted about an act of exploitation, they will likely feel embarrassed and defensive. They might lash out when questioned or could become angry. They might also think they are not really being exploited. The thief might have convinced them to gift certain funds or credit cards, or they might have persuaded them to change legal documents under false pretenses or outright lies. Remember, everyone reacts differently, so if you notice any strange behavior from your loved one, try to have a discussion about the issue, and seek legal help.

What Should You Do Next?

Elder abuse can happen anywhere, and even though nursing homes are the most common platform, exploitation could occur at home, in a store, or even in the hospital. After you’ve attempted to discuss the issue with your loved one, make sure you gather all of the facts and determine whether or not something could be amiss. If you suspect that your loved one has been, or is currently being, exploited, take immediate action by speaking with an attorney. If your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted care facility, consider removing them from their care immediately and tell them about the issue you’ve encountered. Unfortunately, there might be other victims in the home.

Don’t Wait to Act – Contact Simeone & Miller, LLP

Nursing home abuse, in any form, is simply inexcusable. If your loved one was mistreated while under the care of a nursing home, assisted living facility, or private caretaker, it is important to take action immediately. With the help of a Washington, D.C. nursing home abuse lawyer from Simeone & Miller, LLP, you can fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. You won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case, so don’t wait to get started.