Baraboo Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is considered intentional acts or neglect that significantly affect a vulnerable adult. This abuse is commonly categorized as:

Neglect is the failure to provide basic needs (food, shelter, protection, healthcare) to an older adult as a caregiver or person responsible for care.

Physical abuse is intentionally causing pain or injury to a senior through excessive force, slapping, or restraining by physical or chemical means.

Sexual abuse is non-consensual sex acts of any kind.

Exploitation is the misuse, taking, or hiding of seniors’ funds, property, or other assets.

Emotional abuse is the act of causing mental anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal actions.

What Are Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

It can be tough to detect when abuse is occurring. Most of us have a hard time imagining it happening, so we can subconsciously turn a blind eye, assuming that what we suspect isn’t happening to our loved ones.

Some of the most common signs to look for are if your loved one is suddenly withdrawn, displays anxious or irritable behavior when they didn’t use to, or fears specific people within the nursing home or areas of the nursing home. Rapid weight loss or gain of your loved one can mean malnutrition, falls, slips, or fractures caused by neglect or abuse, and bed sores can signify abuse.

Other things to consider are how the rest of the residents in the home are treated and if there are sudden or unexpected deaths of the other residents. Are the rest of the residents in the home receiving the quality care they deserve? The chances are high that if you suspect your loved one is being mistreated, other residents are experiencing the same unthinkable abuse.

How Can I Prove Abuse is Occurring?

You can report abuse to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services if you suspect it. It is an option to file a report anonymously, so you can choose to omit your name if you wish. It can also be in your best interest to speak with an experienced attorney regarding this matter as well. They can assist you with gathering evidence, proving abuse is or has occurred, and in some cases, they can help you to obtain compensation.

A thorough investigation will include interviews of the suspected caregiver, their coworkers, and bosses, as well as other residents of the nursing home facility. If there is video surveillance, this can be collected, as well as reports regarding daily care or medication charts for your loved one.

How Can An Attorney Help Me?

Chances are if your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, so are other residents in the same facility. Working with an experienced Wisconsin injury lawyer can help save not only your loved ones but other innocent victims and bring the abuse to a halt. In some cases, compensation can be awarded that will aid you and your family get your loved one to a better facility, handling medical bills incurred due to the abuse, and more.

Contact our office today at (608) 448-6242 to discuss your specific concerns and put together a plan that will help to protect your loved one and other residents within the facility where the suspected behavior is occurring. Let us help you to be your loved one’s advocate and make sure they are protected during their senior years.