If you are confronted with the fact that a loved one has been enduring physical abuse in an Oklahoma nursing home, our attorneys will compassionately represent you in an elder abuse lawsuit.
Nursing home staff members are obligated to provide an adequate standard of care for their residents, sufficiently tending to their needs and protecting them from unnecessary harm. Unfortunately, elder abuse initiated by a caretaker, whether it is physical, psychological or financial abuse, is all too common in the United States, affecting between one and two million Americans aged 65 and older. Physical abuse in particular is devastating, occurring when a staff member inflicts physical harm on a resident with whose care he or she is charged. One of the most common types of nursing home abuse involves the failure of a staff member to provide adequate hygienic care for bedridden patients, which can result in life-threatening side effects like bed sores. This despicable act is unthinkable and deserves to be punished accordingly. If you believe that a loved one has been the victim of physical abuse in an Oklahoma nursing home, contact our reputable attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center for help.
Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Physical elder abuse describes the intentional use of physical force that may result in bodily injury or pain to a resident. This harmful type of abuse can occur under any number of circumstances, and may be caused by the failure of the nursing home to properly supervise staff members, failure to conduct background investigations prior to hiring, failure to properly train employees, or failure to provide the proper ratio of staff members to patients. Some examples of physical nursing home abuse include:
- Pushing or shoving the resident
- Force feeding the resident
- Shaking, kicking, slapping or pinching the resident
- Striking or beating the resident with an object or a hand
- Burning the resident
- Using unnecessary chemical or physical restraints
Injuries and Signs of Physical Abuse
Because there are many different types of physical elder abuse, the resulting injuries and warning signs vary greatly. Injuries commonly caused by this type of abuse in nursing homes include:
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Black eyes
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Bed sores
Contact Our Law Firm Today
It can sometimes be difficult for family members to recognize certain types of nursing home abuse, as it often results in psychological harm without any physical indicators. However, there are certain red flags that family members should take into consideration if abuse is suspected, including unexplained loss of hair, any unexplained change in the resident’s behavior, or the resident’s failure to plausibly explain any of the above physical injuries. If your loved one has suffered unexplained injuries which you believe to be the result of physical abuse, contact our knowledgeable lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options. Our attorneys are experienced in nursing home abuse litigation and can help you protect the rights of your loved one.