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Indiana Elder/Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

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The state of Indiana has seen its fair share of nursing home abuse cases in recent years. As a result, Indiana nursing home abuse laws and penalties are constantly being updated. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), there are more than 18,000 nursing homes across America with 1.6 million residents. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that more than 50% of these nursing homes are understaffed. The stress and frustration of overwork, along with numerous other factors, can lead to elder/nursing home abuse, which occurs in around 30% of all nursing homes across America today.

In a recent case in Indiana, nine employees were fired and a nursing home facility was fined for abusing their residents. A 79-year-old woman was beaten and left in her bed while her face was still bleeding, four other patients were repeatedly verbally and physically abused, and a male patient was choked and had his thumbs bent backwards. Cases like this bring to light exactly how vulnerable nursing home residents can be.

Elder/nursing home abuse presents itself in many different forms, ranging from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse to malnutrition, financial exploitation, and even neglect. If you suspect that someone you love has been abused or mistreated in a nursing home, or has suffered any type of abuse at the hands of another resident, you should contact an Indiana elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney. You should also contact an Indiana civil lawyer or attorney if you are seeking damages outside of the facility.

All nursing home or elder care facilities have an obligation to protect the rights of every single resident, and to provide an attractive, clean, and healthy environment. They are also obligated to treat residents equally, with no discrimination based on race, religion, color, nationality, ability or source of payment. Nursing home facilities are required by federal law to compose a Nursing Home Resident's Bill of Rights, which they are also required to make available to any resident upon request. The Bill of Rights outlines all policies of the specific nursing home, and each facility must require residents to sign a statement, indicating they have read and understood these rights, before admittance. Specific rights include the right to be informed about one's specific medical condition and treatment, the right to participate in planning one's care and medical treatment, the right to choose a physician, the right to manage personal finances, the right to privacy, dignity, and respect, the right to personal possessions, the right to be free from restraints and abuse in nursing homes, the right to voice grievance without retaliation, the right to be discharged or transferred only for medical reasons, and the rights of access.

Elder/nursing home abuse can take many different forms, and can range from physical, sexual, or psychological abuse to malnutrition, financial exploitation, and pure neglect. Some of the more obvious signs of abuse include bruises, bedsores, broken bones, cuts or lacerations, abrupt changes in mood or behavior on the part of the resident, and an unclean or neglected living environment. The signs of neglect may be a bit harder to notice because the injuries aren't as readily apparent. Neglect includes providing insufficient food and water, inadequate attention to hygiene in residents who are not self-sufficient, inadequate medical care, and failure to assist residents who have mobility issues.

An Indiana elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will more than likely offer a free nursing home abuse consultation where they will evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and assess any damages they feel you are entitled to as a result of any abuse or neglect caused by an Indiana nursing home. An Indiana elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will also be well-versed in Indiana nursing home abuse laws, so they will be well-equipped to argue your case.

If you are ready to contact an Indiana elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney, visit the website of the American Bar Association and utilize the site's lawyer locator. Access is free.