It is a sad and unfortunate fact that the most vulnerable members of our society are also the most susceptible to abuse, neglect, and negligence. But just how prevalent is elder abuse, neglect, and negligence? How many of them result in wrongful death or personal injury cases? And just how often are those cases tied to the long-term care facilities entrusted with the care of someone’s beloved family member?
National Study Reveals Alarming Information on Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
According to a study from the National Center on Elder Abuse, 3.2 million Americans resided in a long-term facility in 2008, and more than 900,000 lived in an assisted living setting. Interviews with 2,000 nursing home residents revealed that 44 percent had experienced abuse, and 95 percent had experienced neglect or had seen another resident being neglected. But the claims of nursing home negligence and abuse come from more than just the residents themselves; staff of nursing homes and regulating agencies also give us a glimpse into just how severe of a problem nursing home abuse and neglect has become.
Nearly one out of three U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards that had the potential to cause harm to a resident between 1999 and 2001. And almost one out of ten received citations for violations that caused actual harm, serious injury, or placed a resident at risk of death. In addition, half of all nursing home staff members admitted to mistreating a resident within the year prior to the study, with 17 percent admitting to having pushed, grabbed, or shoved a resident; 51 percent admitting to yelling at a resident; and 23 percent saying they had insulted or sworn at a resident.
Knowing the Signs Can Protect Your Loved Ones
With such a high prevalence of nursing home negligence, abuse, and neglect, it is important to know the signs of elder abuse. This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, gross negligence, and even resident-to-resident abuse. Understanding these signs, and knowing what to do if you suspect that someone you love is suffering from one of these forms of abuse could potentially save them from any further harm, and it could maybe even save their life.
Nursing Home Negligence and Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
The statistics are simply numbers; in no way could they ever fully encompass the impact that nursing home negligence, abuse, or neglect has on the lives of the victims or their families. Because the reality is, each of these cases are tied to a real person, a person that is someone’s grandparent, great-grandparent, uncle, aunt, sister, brother, mother, or father. The implications of their injury, illness, or death because of someone else’s action are devastating and grievous.
If someone you love has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death because of the negligence or wrongful actions of a nursing home or their staff, it is important that you seek skilled and experienced guidance. These types of personal injury cases can be complicated and lengthy, and you need someone on your side who can fight for your rights and the rights of your loved one.
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C., we understand that your life, and the live of someone you love, has been severely impacted by the negligent or malicious actions of someone else. And we are serious about helping you and your loved one receive the kind of compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with a Chicago, Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer, contact our offices today by calling 312-553-4900.
Source:
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Resources/Publication/docs/NCEA_LTCF_ResearchBrief_2013.pdf
