It is the hope of every family member that their loved one will be well cared for in a nursing home facility. Unfortunately, that is not always true and families should know what to do about it. Nursing home residents are sometimes abused physically and psychologically by caregivers which may create liability for nursing home staff and the nursing homes they work for.
Certain circumstances can lead to nursing home abuse. Inadequately trained staff; too few staff to properly care for residents; staff that have a history of violence but are negligently hired and kept around anyway; isolation of residents; and the reluctance or fear of nursing home residents to report nursing home abuse can all lead to situations when nursing home abuse takes place. One option to help victims and families of nursing home abuse is a personal injury claim for damages.
A personal injury claim for damages can help victims of nursing home abuse and their families with the physical, financial and emotional damages they suffer. Liability for nursing home abuse may be based on negligent supervision or care of employees and staff; negligent retention and hiring of staff; negligent maintenance of the facility and premises; and negligent selection and maintenance of nursing home equipment.
It is important for victims of nursing home abuse and their families to understand that a nursing home that has harmed them or their loved one may be liable for the damages they have caused. Legal protections and remedies help ensure nursing homes are held accountable for the abuse and harm suffered by residents and that victims and their families can get the help they need.