Is an elderly or disabled member of your family living in a nursing home? If so, when was the last time you spoke to them or visited in person? One of the most important things you can do to support your family member is to let the facility know that somebody in the outside world is paying attention. The best personal injury attorneys in NYC know what telltale signs to look for that might indicate that a nursing home resident is being abused or neglected. If you suspect something is afoul, it’s important to consult with a Queens and Brooklyn personal injury attorney to determine whether your loved one is at risk.
Physical Abuse
According to the World Health Organization, physical abuse at nursing homes is more common that you might think. It usually occurs due to the frustration of nursing home staff handling residents with psychiatric disorders or dementia. If your loved one has suffered from broken bones or other physical injuries, demand a full report of the circumstances and discuss the report with your family member to see if it’s accurate. If something seems fishy, it’s important to call a top Queens accident attorney that can begin an investigation to determine is abuse or neglect is the cause.
Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse can sometimes occur with residents that are difficult to handle, but it can also be due to poor training or mental problems of staff members. Nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect at all times. Behavior such as yelling, insults and guilt trips has no place in their care. If your loved one complains about this behavior, you should speak to a Queens and Brooklyn personal injury attorney immediately.
Financial Abuse
In addition to monitoring physical and psychological health, it’s important to key a close eye on their finances. In addition to checking monthly statements, it’s prudent to check online at least once a week for:
- Unusual or more frequent cash withdrawals from bank account;
- Transfers from bank accounts to unknown external accounts;
- Checks written to unknown persons and
- Unusual credit cards purchases.
It is also a good idea to check on the status of costly belongs such as jewelry to make sure they continue to be safe. If you suspect financial abuse, speak to a top personal injury attorney in NYC as soon as possible.
Top Personal Injury Attorney in NYC
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s important to take action immediately before more harm is done. Wittenstein & Wittenstein is a top personal injury attorney in NYC, handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases for over sixty years. Call 718-261-8114 for a free consultation.
