Protecting the Elderly: Giroux & Associates’ Approach to Different Types of Elder Abuse Cases
Neglect and abuse of the elderly has become a common occurrence in nursing homes. The most common types of nursing home abuse include physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse. If you believe that a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, you should contact a St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse in nursing homes is generally defined as a caretaker or medical professional using excessive force that causes bodily harm, pain and suffering to the nursing home resident. Some examples of physical abuse include:
- Pushing, shoving or hitting
- Burning
- Improper restraining
- Denying medication or other necessities, such as food and water
Nursing Home Neglect
One of the most common types of nursing home abuse is neglect. Neglect occurs when a nursing home staff member or affiliated medical professional fails to satisfy the caretaking needs of the resident.
Examples of nursing home neglect include:
- Providing the resident with unsanitary environmental conditions
- Refusing necessary medical treatment and care
- Failing to monitor the resident’s wellbeing and safety
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves an employee of the facility engaging in any sexual act with a resident without the resident’s consent. Sexual abuse includes any unwanted sexual activity, whether carried out by force, threats, or coercion, or by taking advantage of a resident who lacks the mental wherewithal to give affirmative consent.
This may involve situations in which the resident has difficulty communicating and therefore is unable to indicate consent to any sexual behavior. An experienced St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer can successfully prove that the lack of communication is equivalent to non-consent.
You entrust a great deal of responsibility and power to the caretakers of your loved ones. If that responsibility is shirked, and that power is abused, justice requires that you take action. By seeking justice for your parents or other family members, you may be preventing countless future instances of abuse.
Contact Us
If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is imperative that you immediately contact the authorities. You should also call St. Petersburg nursing home abuse lawyer Peter Giroux at (727) 895-5399 to discuss your legal options and recourse.