Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question “What constitutes nursing home negligence?”
One of the most disturbing problems of our modern society is the very serious issue of elder abuse. Sadly, because of a lack of information about this issue, nearly 5 million people are victims of elderly abuse each year. Many people do not know how to recognize it, fight it, or stop it. Today, we are providing you with some important information about how to both recognize and put an end to elder abuse.
When we talk about an ‘’elderly’’ person, it generally means someone who is 65 years of age or older. However, elder abuse also covers the dependent adults who are not able to carry out regular activities or protect themselves, even if they are not 65 years old yet.
The concept of elder abuse involves any person who is not in the capacity to take care of themselves, whether it is due to mental and physical degeneration. This is typically because of their age or another diagnosed (or undiagnosed) condition. Elder abuse can also apply to people who are medically dependent and need inpatient care at a 24-hour senior facility.
Sadly, many seniors are not able to speak up for themselves, and the abuse can go undetected for a long time. They may be physically or mentally unable to advocate for themselves, or they may not even realize they are a victim of abuse. This is especially true if a loved one (such as a child or a younger spouse) is the one who is committing the abuse against them.
Some of the more common types of elder abuse may include:
- Physical abuse, which is the use of physical force to harm elders.
- Sexual abuse, which is performing a sexual act without consent.
- Emotional abuse, which is manipulation and verbal (or nonverbal) threats of harm.
- Financial/material abuse, which is using the elder’s assets illegally or without their consent.
- Neglect, which is refusing to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of an elderly person.
- Abandonment, which is refusing the care of an elderly person.
Taking a Stand Against Elder Abuse
There are many organizations, companies, and services that are committed to addressing this type of abuse and fighting it. They may do this through a legal process to help improve the elder’s situation to remove them from the abusive environment.
If you suspect a loved one is a victim of elder abuse, it is important to contact the police right away. Another way to help fight against elder abuse is by getting a restraining order against the perpetrator, which you can get from the courts or other legal organizations. This can bar the perpetrator from abusing your loved one again.
Is Someone You Love a Victim of Elder Abuse?
If you suspect that one of your relatives or an acquaintance is suffering this type of abuse, it is important to act quickly. Our elderly population is incredibly vulnerable, and they need advocates to help look out for their best interests. Call (704) 370-2828 to receive a video, phone or in-person consultation with our lawyers to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and Monroe.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/elder-abuse
https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/elderly-looking-at-venice-beach-1364692
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