Nursing Home Abuse in the United States

Due to the influx of more elderly people from the Baby Boomer generation and the improvements in medicine that help keep people alive longer, more elderly individuals are in nursing homes than ever before.

Types of Abuse (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) Unfortunately, there are many types of abuse and mistreatment of elderly individuals.

Physical Abuse

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Physical abuse is the non-accidental use of physical force that can result in pain, bodily injury or impairment.

Sexual Abuse

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Due to their vulnerability, elderly individuals are sometimes sexual targets. Sexual abuse is any type of non-consensual sexual contact.

Emotional Abuse

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. A caregiver may also emotionally abuse the patient by treating him or her in a manner that results in emotional pain, anguish or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.

Financial Abuse

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Financial abuse is the unauthorized use of an elderly individual’s funds, assets or property.

Healthcare Abuse

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Another form of elder abuse is healthcare abuse.

Neglect

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. While neglect is different than abuse, it creates liability on the part of the nursing home. Neglect is the failure to provide the care necessary to the patient as required by his or her duties.

Basis for Legal Claims (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) The primary basis for a legal claim against the nursing home is the duty that it has to ensure adequate care of the elderly patient.

Negligent Hiring

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Nursing homes must perform due diligence when hiring someone who will be in close proximity to a vulnerable population such as the elderly.

Negligent Supervision

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Some nursing home abuse allegations arise from a claim that the nursing home did not hire enough staff or properly supervise staff, which contributed to the patient’s injury.

Failing to Keep the Premises Safe

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. The nursing home has the duty to keep the home safe from any known hazards. Additionally, it has the duty to inspect the premises to uncover any unknown dangers and to quickly repairing these hazards.

Failing to Maintain a Healthy Environment

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Nursing homes may also be liable if the patient suffers from not living in a clean and sanitary home.

Failing to Provide Adequate Medical Treatment

Note: Find out more information about this topic in this American legal Encyclopedia. Nursing homes do more than monitor a patient. T

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) If the affected people have an elderly loved one who has been abused or neglected in a nursing home where the affected people believed he or she would receive proper care, it is important that the affected people discuss their case with a nursing home abuse lawyer.

Damages in Nursing Home Abuse Cases (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) Whether the abuse occurred on a recurrent basis or it was the result of one egregious incident that resulted in injuries, the victim has a right to damages.

Evidence in Nursing Home Abuse Cases (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) One of the problems in nursing home abuse cases is that the victim is often a vulnerable or impressionable individual.

Legal Claims (in General)

(In United States law, in the context of Nursing Home Abuse ) Nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuits may be based on intentional acts or unintentional acts in the case of neglect.