By: Pamela A. Lee, Esquire
[email protected]
All people deserve to live their lives with dignity and respect. But people with mental or physical disabilities -especially our elderly-are particularly vulnerable because they are often unable or unwilling to communicate neglect or abuse at the hands of their caregivers.
Recently, a jury in Berks County awarded a $2,250,000 verdict in a nursing home case for a woman suffering from dementia who fractured her shoulder and hip after falling because she had been made to walk on a ramp in the dining hall without any proper supervision or assistance. The jury’s award included $2,000,000 for the victim’s physical pain and emotional suffering and $250,000 in punitive damages against the facility.
Nursing home neglect usually occurs through the failure of a facility or staff to take adequate precautions or provide proper attention, despite the caregiver’s duty to do so. Neglect may take different forms. For example, a resident’s or patient’s basic needs may not be fulfilled, such as food, water and nutrition. A resident’s medical needs may not be met such as when a nursing home facility fails to provide proper medication on time or provide proper attention or take adequate precautions to protect against the development of bed sores, infections, or serious falls. A patient’s personal care may not be met such as cleaning soiled laundry or bathing the resident.
Nursing home abuse most often occurs through intentional acts and also takes different forms. Some residents suffer from physical abuse or sexual abuse at the hands of their caregivers. Others may suffer emotional abuse when a caregiver uses verbal threats in order to manipulate them.
To stop nursing home neglect and abuse, we need to recognize the signs of neglect or abuse, and to hold those responsible properly and fully accountable. Some basic signs that your loved one may be suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse are:
• Developed or worsening bedsores;
• Dehydration or malnutrition;
• Falling and suffering painful injuries including broken bones;
• Denying helping devices such as canes, walkers, hearing aids and glasses;
• Giving unnecessary drugs such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills or other drugs;
• Bruises, especially on the head or torso or those shaped like a hand or finger/thumb;
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding, unexplained vaginal infection or torn or bloodied underwear; or
• Wearing soiled clothing or inappropriate clothing for the weather.
Unfortunately, most neglect and abuse of elderly people of those with mental and physical disabilities remain unreported. By educating families of the signs of neglect or abuse, and explaining your legal recourse, we can help you stop the neglect or abuse of your loved ones.
Our attorneys at the Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP will ask the tough questions and get you the right answers. If a lawsuit is necessary and warranted, we will help you recover full and fair compensation for all the harm and losses caused by the neglect or abuse of a nursing care or long-term care facility, including medical expenses, physical pain, and emotional suffering.
The attorneys at the Law Firm of DiOrio & Sereni, LLP are experienced and available to help you. Contact Pamela A. Lee, Esquire at 610-565-5700, or send her an e-mail at [email protected].
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