Sevierville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Long-term care for aging adults can help them function at a high level and maintain their health as they grow older. Options for care include home health agencies, nursing homes, hospices, residential care communities, and adult day service centers. The Family Caregiver Alliance provides the statistic that annually there are 8,357,100 adults receiving some type of long-term care. Many care facilities are staffed by highly competent and compassionate individuals, however, some places look the other way when their employees are neglecting or abusing residents. If you, or a loved one, has been mistreated by nursing home staff, contact a Sevierville nursing home abuse lawyer at Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette. We will investigate and litigate your claim so that you can continue living in good health.
What Constitutes Elder Abuse?
- Physical abuse – This can include hitting, pushing, shoving, inappropriate confinement, providing the wrong drugs, and more. Physical abuse is one of the easiest types of abuse to notice because there are often visible signs such as bruises, cuts, broken bones, or damaged possessions.
- Emotional abuse – This can include ignoring, yelling, blaming, humiliating, intimidating, and isolating an elderly person. Emotional abuse can cause an elderly person to withdraw from relationships and suffer from depression.
- Sexual abuse – This can include inappropriate contact, showing pornographic materials, and other lewd behaviors. Sexual abuse often occurs when an elderly person cannot understand and therefore cannot give consent.
- Neglect – This happens when a caretaker intentionally or unintentionally ignores the needs of their patient. Neglecting medical care can put a patient’s life in serious danger. Even ignoring a person’s hygiene can have severe consequences on their health.
- Financial exploitation – Caretakers can be left responsible for an elder’s finances or have easy access to bank account numbers, checks, and credit cards. Financial exploitation can take place if a caretaker steals money or if the caretaker persuades their client to pay fraudulent fees, donate to fraudulent charity causes, or other similar forms of deceit.
- Healthcare fraud – This occurs when a patient is overcharged for services, charged for services not provided, over-or-under medicated so that someone else can profit, etc.
If You Suspect Elder Abuse
If you suspect elder abuse the first thing to do is put that person in another safe environment. Check to see if they have the correct amount of medicine and that there have been no unexpected changes to their finances. You will also want to notify authorities. The National Council on Aging reported a study that says only one out of every 14 cases of elder abuse gets reported to authorities. Taking the time to report your experience will help prevent others from suffering similar consequences. Then you will want to contact an experienced Sevierville lawyer who can put together the facts of your case and start the litigation process for you.
Contact the Sevierville Elder Abuse Lawyers at Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette
Elder abuse is unacceptable in our society, yet it continues to happen at an alarming rate. Our Sevierville nursing home abuse lawyers at Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette are passionate about litigating claims of abuse and will work hard on your behalf. Contact us for a free initial consultation today at 865-225-6784.
