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Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Respected advocacy when loved ones in Seattle nursing homes suffer physical injuries
Physical abuse is the intentional use of force to harm, restrain, control, or punish a victim in a long-term care facility. Sadly, many seniors and individuals with disabilities experience physical abuse by nursing home staff, residents, or others with access to these facilities. At Smith McBroom, our lawyers understand the laws that protect residents and the policies and procedures nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should implement to protect their residents. Our Seattle physical abuse lawyers have helped many nursing home victims obtain compensation for their physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of dignity, and medical expenses. Call us today to help protect your loved one.
How can we help?
- What is physical abuse or a nursing home or long-term-care resident?
- Why does physical abuse of Seattle nursing home residents happen?
- What are the signs that a loved one has been physically harmed in a nursing home?
- How do your Seattle physical abuse lawyers hold nursing homes accountable for physical abuse?
- How much is a nursing home physical abuse claim worth in Washington state?
- Do you have a Seattle physical abuse lawyer near me?
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What is physical abuse or a nursing home or long-term-care resident?
Physical abuse of nursing home residents is unjustifiable. Residents should never be touched or restrained against their will. Smith McBroom holds nursing homes liable for the conduct of their employees and for failing to properly prevent, control, monitor, and respond to any type of physical abuse that occurs.
Some of the reasons nursing homes can be held liable for physical abuse include:
- Failing to hire enough staff members.
- Not properly training their staff members.
- Failing to have policies and procedures in place to anticipate, monitor, and respond to physical abuse.
- Failing to have policies and procedures in place to encourage residents, staff members, and others to report physical abuse.
Why does physical abuse of Seattle nursing home residents happen?
Physical abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility includes the following, as defined by the National Institute of Health and a broad array of articles on physical abuse:
- Hitting. Residents who are hit with a part of the body or an object can suffer bruises, lacerations, fractures, falls, and other serious injuries.
- Pushing and shoving. Many nursing home residents have difficulty with their balance. Even a slight push can cause a resident to fall and suffer head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and other injuries.
- Slapping. A slap to the face can cause red marks, welts, and other types of bruises.
- Kicking. Kicking a senior or disabled person is unconscionable. Victims can fall and suffer injuries to the part of the body that is kicked.
- The use of physical or chemical restraints. Nursing homes should never use physical or chemical restraints to control a resident unless authorized by physicians for the resident. Restraints can cause physical injuries, internal injuries, and psychological trauma.
- Withholding medications. Nursing homes should never allow a staff member to withhold prescription medications or delay medications to punish or control a resident. Unprescribed medications should never be given to a nursing home resident.
Physical abuse also includes sexual assaults, rough handling, and other unwanted physical contact. Delaying stroke treatment is another type of physical abuse.
The people who abuse seniors and disabled nursing home residents may include:
- The management of the nursing home
- Nursing home employees and contractors
Workers with access to the nursing home - Other residents especially residents with dementia or other cognitive disorders
- Visitors to the facility
What are the signs that a loved one has been physically harmed in a nursing home?
According to the US Department of Justice, the signs your loved one may be being physically abused include:
- Fractured arms, legs, skulls, hands, wrists, and fractures of any other bone in the body
- Bruises, welts, rope marks, black eyes, and cuts
- Any signs of internal bleeding or internal injuries
- Open cuts, punctures, and wounds
- Broken eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other assistive devices
- Any signs that physical or chemical restraints were used
- Laboratory findings that the resident did not receive their prescribed medications
- Changes in behavior including anxiety, depression, signs of withdrawal, and isolation from others
- Refusing to meet with family and friends
- Any reports or complaints of physical abuse
Other signs include the need for emergency medical care, any unexplained injuries, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, limping, and any other signs of physical pain.
How do your Seattle physical abuse lawyers hold nursing homes accountable for physical abuse?
We recommend that family members contact us as soon as there are any signs of physical abuse. We’ll begin by ensuring that your loved one sees the doctors who can treat your loved one’s physical and emotional injuries.
Our Seattle nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers will explain which entities should be notified of the physical assault. These entities generally include the administrators of the nursing home, the police, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and the Washington State Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Program. In addition to protecting your loved one, notifying the proper agencies and authorities helps to protect other residents of the nursing home.
We’ll review which federal and Washington laws protect nursing home residents from physical abuse. Our lawyers will file personal injury complaints – and then formally question everyone with knowledge of the abuse in writing and through oral questions. We’ll also review the nursing home’s policies and procedures, any evidence of prior complaints, and all other documents that can help establish the liability of the nursing home.
Once our review is complete, we’ll negotiate with the insurance companies for the nursing home to determine if a settlement can be reached. If a settlement can’t be reached, we’ll argue your loved one’s case in court.
How much is a nursing home physical abuse claim worth in Washington state?
At Smith McBroom, we understand that for all nursing home residents, every day is precious. Every moment of pain takes away from their ability to enjoy their lives. We demand the following damages on behalf of physically abused nursing home residents:
- Medical bills, including ER care, hospitalizations, doctor visits, rehabilitative therapy, and other medical care
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Loss of bodily function
Do you have a Seattle physical abuse lawyer near me?
Smith McBroom meets seniors, the disabled, and their families at our Seattle office located 0at 16400 Southcenter Parkway Suite 210. We also meet claimants at healthcare facilities and where they live if they’re too injured to come to our office. Our lawyers also consult with clients by phone and through online video.
We demand justice when nursing homes and long-term care facilities fail to protect your loved ones.
Speak with our respected Seattle physical abuse lawyers now
We understand how devastating it is to be physically attacked when nursing homes should be making every effort to ensure your loved one’s health. At Smith McBroom, we work with nursing home professionals to show what steps your loved one’s long-term-care facility should have taken. Our Seattle physical abuse attorneys work with elder care doctors and doctors for people with disabilities to show just how crushing any physical injury is. Call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent nursing home abuse victims in Tukwila, Seattle, and across Washington State.