Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Topeka

Fighting for the Injured and Their Families

Did you know that as many as 40% of all adults in the United States will live in a nursing home facility at one point in their lives? There are currently millions of elderly individuals residing in nursing homes across the states and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 in every 10 elders over the age of 60 is abused. However, due to the fact that elder abuse is greatly underreported, this number almost certainly does not reflect the true scope of the problem. If your parent, aunt, grandfather, or other relative lives in a nursing home and you suspect they have suffered any type of abuse, make sure you act quickly to keep them safe and seek justice. Our attorneys at DiPasquale Moore are dedicated to serving injured individuals throughout Kansas, and we want to help you too. We have more than 100 years of collective legal experience to use towards your case, and our attorneys have a stellar track record. Each and every attorney at our firm is committed to helping our clients and providing them with the high-quality legal representation they deserve. We understand you want to achieve the best possible outcome for your loved one, and so do we.

Call (785) 444-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

Elder abuse can happen anywhere: at home, at a family member’s house, or in a nursing home. Unfortunately, nursing homes and residential facilities are common scenes of this abuse. Vulnerable elders in these facilities are dependent on their doctors, nurses, and care managers—and unscrupulous individuals or mismanaged companies may take advantage of this situation. More than half of the nursing home facilities in the country are for-profit businesses, which means income, rather than quality care, is likely their primary goal. These nursing homes may hire staff at the lowest possible levels and hire untrained individuals who can be paid lower wages. These conditions make nursing home abuse much more likely. If you suspect something is off at your loved one’s nursing home, you should bring your concerns either to a lawyer or to appropriate authorities who can investigate the situation. Your concern may keep many patients safe.

Common Types of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, and financial in nature, or any combination of the four. Some of the most common types of abuse seen in nursing homes include:

• Negligent care, including the failure to feed, keep clean, or provide with other necessities
• Deprivation, including intentional refusal to provide with food, water, medical care, shelter, or other needs
• Pushing, shoving, hair pulling, pinching, hitting, shaking, or other types of physical abuse
• Yelling, verbal abuse, harassment, or other forms of intimidation
• Engaging in any type of sexual behavior with an elderly adult who does not or cannot consent
• Forced isolation or confinement
• Financial exploitation

Unfortunately, because many abusers are in positions of power over their victims, they may do everything possible to prevent an elder from reporting what is happening. Therefore, you and your loved ones should be savvy to the signs of potential abuse.

Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse

There is no one tell that can alert you to abuse. Individuals react in different ways—and, especially if your loved one is suffering a cognitive decline, their response may not make sense to you. As a rule, remember that you know them best; if you notice any peculiar, uncharacteristic behavior, it could be a sign something is wrong. A doctor or nurse might try to reassure you, but keep in mind they might be guilty of or complicit in the abuse. It is best to follow your gut. Watch for the following signs that may indicate abuse: Physical Abuse

• Unexplained injuries
• Bruises, especially on wrists and ankles
• Burn marks
• Welts
• Changes in behavior

Sexual Abuse

• Bruising, especially near the genital area
• Unexplained STDs or infections
• Stained, torn, or missing underclothing
• Reluctance to be touched
• Loss of memory
• Emotional withdrawal

Emotional Abuse

• Behavioral changes
• Avoiding social situations
• Depression
• Anger, aggravation, and other strong mood swings

Negligence

• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Bedsores
• Severe and unexplainable weight loss or weight gain
• Missed medication doses
• Living conditions are not sanitary
• Poor personal hygiene
• Sudden, unexplained loss of mobility

Financial Manipulation

• Uncharacteristic purchases
• Missing funds
• Changes to wills, power of attorney, property titles, or life insurance policies
• New credit cards

If you fear your loved one might be suffering from elder abuse, you can investigate the situation and work with others—for example, the facility’s long-term care ombudsman—to get to the bottom of the matter. Most important is helping your loved one find safety. We can help you understand the legal ramifications of the abuse later.

Let Our Firm Help Your Family

If you suspect someone you love is suffering from any type of nursing home abuse, our firm wants to help. After your loved one is removed from the facility, we can investigate the issue, identify the liable party, and take legal action as necessary. Those who take advantage of vulnerable elders must be held accountable and removed from any situations where they can continue to mistreat patients with no fear of recourse. Nursing home abuse can be extremely damaging and difficult to process. We understand you may want to spend time with your family rather than pursuing a legal complaint. If your elderly parent, spouse, sibling, aunt, or uncle has suffered abuse at the hands of a caretaker, we can do the work to hold the individuals and facility accountable, while you focus on the things that matter most to you. Our team is passionate about fighting for the injured and known for providing high-quality service to clients throughout the Topeka area. Whether you simply suspect nursing home abuse, or you have been told it is a problem and are ready to act, let us know. We can help you plan your next steps and find justice for your loved one.

Call (785) 444-4444 or contact us online today for a free consultation.