Who Can Be Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing homes abuse is an endemic issue that exists in every state and around cities throughout the country. According to the National Coalition on Aging, nearly 5 million seniors are abused on an annual basis, violating the dignity of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse takes many different forms. It may be obvious in some cases, while more covert in others.
Nursing home abuse may be:
- Physical: The infliction of bodily harm.
- Emotional: Bullying, verbal harassment, intimidation, and shaming are included here.
- Financial: The theft or misuse of the victim’s financial assets, including the withholding of assets as a means of coercion.
- Neglect: Sometimes the abuse is not a physical act, but a lack of acting. The caregiver may neglect to bathe the victim, clean their living space, or provide other basic necessities.
Parties That Could Be Liable
Thankfully, victims of nursing home abuse have rights under Illinois law. They can sue those responsible and recoup financial compensation for the losses they suffered.
Multiple parties may be sued, and liability extends far beyond the nurse or caregiver that actively abused the victim.
The nursing home is often the primary target of the lawsuit. Nursing homes have broad responsibility to ensure the well-being of their residents and a lofty duty of care. The nursing home can be sued for a few different reasons, including negligent training of staff, negligent hiring of staff, failure to monitor staff, failure to protect the victim from health and safety hazards, and other offenses.
Third parties may also be liable. For example, if the victim was injured by a device or piece of equipment that malfunctioned, the manufacturer could be liable. Similarly, if a nursing home resident was injured by an outside trespasser, a third-party security contractor could be liable.
Contact a Kane County Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Nursing home abuse is so tragic because it impacts some of the most vulnerable members of our society. It often goes on for a long period of time because the victims are unable to defend themselves or call attention to the wrongdoing.
The physical, psychological, and financial consequences for victims and their families can be tremendous. Thankfully, they do not have to suffer in silence. With the help of an attorney, they can file a nursing home injury claim against those responsible. A successful suit may result in a significant financial award. Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. has a team of committed lawyers with years of experience litigating nursing home abuse lawsuits. They work with their clients to craft a personalized legal strategy that maximizes their likelihood of success. If you are in need of a Kane County nursing home abuse attorney, contact Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. today at 630-907-0909 to set up a free initial consultation.
Source:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse
