What Are the Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Birmingham?

It can be so hard to decide to move your loved one into a nursing home. This is especially true when dealing with a pandemic. But, at a certain point, we realize that we cannot provide the care that our mom or dad needs. Maybe they need around-the-clock care. Or perhaps they have a medical condition that we aren’t able to handle. Either way, when you do make this decision, the last thing you should have to worry about is that they get hurt.

Nurses and aides who work in a nursing home should care about their patients. Unfortunately, some people do not do it for the right reasons. When the nursing home employs these kinds of people, there’s no telling what may happen to your loved ones. This is why it’s important that you do a lot of research before you choose a nursing home. But even if you do a ton of research, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be safe. And if you learn that they’ve been hurt, then you’re going to need an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Birmingham.

Most Nursing Homes Do Care About their Patients

For the most part, nurses and aides do a great job. They got into the field because they love taking care of people. They wouldn’t do anything to hurt their patients. In fact, many nurses develop a relationship and bond with their patients and treat them like family. While they could certainly make a mistake, they would never do anything to intentionally hurt your mom or dad.

The State of Alabama does sporadic surveys and inspections of nursing homes to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to do. If the nursing home fails the inspection, they are required to make the corrections. If they don’t, then they’ll be shut down. Most of the time, they pass or have a handful of minor infractions. Sadly, there are other times when they fail miserably and prove that they abuse or neglect their residents.

There Are 3 Main Types of Abuse

Generally speaking, there are three main types of nursing home abuse. While there are other types, these three are the ones most seen by Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers. Here they are:

Physical Abuse

Most of us cannot imagine hurting an elderly person; however, there are some nurses and aides who abuse patients. They may hit or punch their residents, or they may hurt them when performing routine medical procedures. For example, they may grab their arms when moving them to the toilet. Or they may shake them if they aren’t eating their food.

Sexual Abuse

This doesn’t always equate to sexual assault. It could be an aide that touches a resident in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Or they have sex with another employee in front of them. They may also make the resident watch or listen to porn. If your loved one is dealing with any of these things, you need to call an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Birmingham.

Financial Abuse

This may not sound as bad as the other types of abuse. Unfortunately, it happens frequently, and it can destroy your loved one’s life. They may steal your loved one’s money or personal belongings. Or they may use your mom or dad’s personal information to open credit cards or take out loans. If you look hard enough, this type of abuse isn’t that hard to spot.

Your Birmingham personal injury lawyer will help get your family justice for this abuse.

Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Birmingham

If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you need help. The first thing you need to do is call a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. Then you need to move your loved one to a different nursing home. Your attorney can help you do this. Just make sure you preserve the evidence first. Take pictures and get statements from other residents. Have your loved one explain what happened and record their statement.

Then, schedule your initial consultation with your skilled nursing home abuse attorney in Birmingham, Alabama. They can sit down with your loved one and get their version of events. They can also answer any questions you may have. The consultation is free, and you don’t pay anything until you settle your case.