If you have evidence or suspect that your loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse in Memphis, you may be able to hold those responsible accountable for their actions by filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

Elderly people living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are often vulnerable to abuse and neglect from the very people who are supposed to be caring for them. Those who have physical or mental conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s, or various other disabilities may be unable to protect themselves.

The  AMA Journal of Ethics reports that as many as 44 percent of nursing home residents have experienced some form of abuse. The abuse may be due to oversight or unintentional neglect, or it may stem from malicious and purposeful actions. Only one in 14 nursing home abuse cases is ever reported to authorities, leaving the perpetrators free to continue harming other residents.

Nursing home neglect can be dangerous and cruel, and sometimes life-threatening. The issue came into the national spotlight when a 29-year-old incapacitated Arizona woman gave birth in December 2018. Investigators learned she had been raped by a nurse at the facility where she has lived for years, according to The Arizona Republic.

And a Tennessee dementia patient was denied medical care for nine days after falling out of her bed in front of a nursing assisant, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. The fall fractured both of the woman’s knees and despite her complaints of “intense pain,” she did not get to see a doctor for nine days. She died a month later, following knee surgery.

Signs of Possible Nursing Home Abuse

While some abuse may be silent and present no obvious signs, other types of abuse may be able to be spotted by observant friends and family of the nursing home resident. Possible signs of nursing home neglect and abuse may include:

• Unexplained bruises: Often one of the first signs of abuse, bruises on arms, shoulders, or other body parts may indicate physical abuse. While bruises may sometimes be caused by accidents or falls, frequent bruises are cause for alarm.
• Bedsores: Bedsores are a type of injury to the skin caused by prolonged pressure. Bedsores are caused by long periods of sitting or lying down in the same position. They can easily be avoided by moving, exercising, or changing positions, and are a common sign of neglect in nursing homes.
• Hygiene neglect: Many elderly residents are incontinent or need assistance with bathing. When nursing home staff is not responsive to these needs, residents may be subject to neglected hygiene or unsanitary conditions. This type of neglect may lead to sickness or infection.
• Dehydration, malnutrition, or sudden weight loss: Nursing home residents are reliant on the staff for all of their needs. When nursing home staff does not ensure that residents are hydrated or follow nutritional guidelines for meals, residents may suffer malnutrition, dehydration, sudden weight loss, and other health concerns.

In addition to physical abuse, nursing home residents may also fall victim to emotional, financial, or sexual abuse. Nursing home residents who are subject to abuse are more likely to develop depression, which can worsen their physical condition and quality of life.

There are many federal and state regulations dictating the mandatory standard of care required at nursing homes. The Tennessee Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both regulate the treatment of elders, stating that residents have the right to be free from corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and verbal, sexual, physical, or mental abuse.

How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?

Finding the right nursing home abuse lawyer for you can be a time consuming and stressful process. Top Class Actions is connected with experienced Memphis nursing home abuse attorneys who will help you get the compensation you may be entitled to, such as economic damages for medical bills, physical therapy, and aides, as well as noneconomic damages for pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages may be a possibility if the abuse was reckless, egregious, or criminal.