Long Island Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Trusted Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Serving Long Island, NY

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is often a difficult decision. When you do, you expect that your loved ones will receive excellent care, and that their condition will not worsen because of the careless or neglectful acts of caregivers. Unfortunately, nursing homes are for-profit businesses and often cut corners to enhance their bottom line. In the process, many assisted living and nursing home residents are subjected to neglect and abuse every year. This is where a Long Island Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer can help.

According to NursingHomeAbuseGuide.org there are a reported two million cases of nursing home abuse per year. That is a staggering amount of cases. They also reported that almost one-third of all nursing homes were cited for violations that could cause harm. And 10% of those nursing homes had violations that posed a risk of serious injury or death.

It is also believed that many of the cases of nursing home abuse go unreported. The abuse victim is often unable to report it due to illness, mental incompetence or fear of retaliation. Often times the victim’s family is unaware of the abuse.

Types of Elder Abuse

Nursing home abuse is seen in many forms. Here are some of the most common types of nursing home abuse or neglect:

• Physical Abuse – This includes physical punishment, forced feeding, acts of violence and using physical restraints. Any kind of physical force that could cause bodily harm or physical pain is abuse. This even includes using drugs inappropriately. Any kind of wounds, fractures or bruises are signs of physical abuse. Sometimes changes in an elderly person’s personality or being denied visiting them alone indicates physical abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – This is arguably the worse kind of abuse an elderly person can experience. It is reported that 70% of elderly sexual abuse occurs at nursing homes and the large majority of the time it is the primary caregiver that is the abuser. Sexual abuse means any kind of unwanted touching, forced nudity, sexual photography and rape. Signs that this occurred include unexplained STDs or genital infections, bruised private areas and bleeding from the anus or vagina.
• Psychological / Emotional Abuse – This is defined as any kind of inflicted pain or distress by verbal or nonverbal means. Emotional abuse includes insults, humiliation, threats, intimidation or verbal assault. For the elderly, emotional abuse often involves them being isolated from visitors or activities. Sometimes an elder could exhibit behavior that mimics dementia and could be a sign of psychological abuse. Other signs include unresponsive communication or increased agitation.
• Negligence – When an elderly person is moving into a nursing home, it is expected that they receive the best care. When adequate care is not given, it is considered negligence. A neglected elder may not be provided with the needed water, food, shelter, medication, hygiene and comfort. Even worse is when personal safety is in jeopardy due to negligence. To determine negligence you might notice signs of malnutrition or dehydration. Another big sign is bed sores that go untreated. Take note if the elderly person has been complaining of mistreatment or discomfort.

The Next Steps

Pay attention to any of these signs to see if your loved one is a victim of abuse. An experienced lawyer can help you prove that the treatment that your elder is receiving is not okay. Palermo Law is a Long Island Personal Injury Law Firm dedicated to representing individuals that have suffered nursing home abuse or neglect.

Choosing A Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

We have litigated hundreds of accident cases over the last two decades. As a result, we’ve become very proficient in handling all aspects of accident litigation including no-fault and property damage claims. We know all the ins and outs of Long Island accident claims and will use our experience to make sure you receive full compensation. We handle all Suffolk county accident cases on a contingency basis. This means we never charge an upfront fee and only get paid if we win your case. Reach out today for guidance on your case.