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Utah Elder/Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

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There are currently more than 6,000 people living in nursing homes in the state of Utah. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), a division of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there are more than 18,000 nursing homes across America, with a total of 1.6 million residents. Unfortunately, the National Center on Elder Abuse reports that more than 50% of nursing homes are understaffed, which leads to stress and frustration among staff members who are already stretched way too thin. This, coupled with numerous other factors, can lead to elder/nursing home abuse, which to date, occurs in around 30% of all nursing homes across the United States. In the span of 24 months alone there were more than 9,000 instances of abuse reported across the United States.

Elder/nursing home abuse presents itself in many different forms, and can range from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse to malnutrition, financial exploitation, and even neglect. If you have made the difficult decision to place a family member in a nursing home, you and your family member shouldn't have to suffer through any type of neglect or abuse at the hands of a caregiver or even other residents.

In 2005 a man sexually molested at least ten elderly women in a nursing home in American Form, Utah, all of whom had dementia or Alzheimer's disease and were apparently unaware of what was happening. Cases like these show exactly how vulnerable nursing home residents can be.

All nursing home facilities have the obligation to protect the rights of every single resident that they take care of, and to provide an attractive, clean, and healthy living environment. They are also obligated to treat all residents equally, with no discrimination pertaining to the race, religion, color, nationality, ability or source of payment. Nursing home facilities are required by federal law to have policies written out called the Nursing Home Resident's Bill of Rights, which they are also required to make available to any resident who requests them. The Bill of Rights explains all policies of the specific nursing home. Specific rights include the right to be informed about your medical condition and treatment, the right to participate in planning your care and medical treatment, the right to choose your own 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.

If you or someone you love has suffered any kind of abuse in a Utah nursing home, or even if you just suspect that abuse has taken place, you should contact a Utah elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney immediately.

You should contact a Utah civil lawyer or attorney if you are seeking damages outside of the facility for abuse that has occurred at the hands of another nursing home resident.

A Utah elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will more than likely offer a free consultation, in which they will visit your nursing home in order to evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and assess any damages to which you may be entitled to as a result of abuse or neglect. A Utah elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will also be well-versed in Utah nursing home abuse laws, so they will be well-equipped to argue your case.

If you are ready to contact a Utah elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association. The site features a lawyer locator function to help you search for suitable Utah attorneys.