Allentown Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Ideally, nursing homes are a place where elderly residents can receive the daily and medical care they need without the fear of abuse or harm. Families also trust nursing homes to take care of their loved ones, and the law states that they must provide them with treatment that is prudent and reasonable.
Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to provide the care that their residents deserve, and sometimes this lack of care qualifies as actionable abuse and/or neglect. In these cases, a seasoned Allentown nursing home abuse lawyer could help abuse victims and their families navigate the complex legal system. A compassionate personal injury attorney could also support the victim as they work to get their life back on track.
The Rights of Nursing Home Residents
All nursing homes in Pennsylvania are required to adhere to certain policies and regulations. These laws grant residents certain legal rights, which the including the rights to:
- Be free from verbal, mental, and physical abuse, including corporal punishment and involuntary seclusion.
- Be free from chemical and physical restraints except in specific situations for limited amounts of time.
- Have safe, comfortable, and clean conditions.
- Be treated with respect, dignity, and individuality.
- Have privacy in treatment and care of personal needs.
Sadly, many nursing homes are not providing their residents with these basic and humane rights. Not only are they abusing and endangering their residents, but they are also breaking the law. A nursing home abuse attorney in Allentown could review a clients case to determine if any of their basic human rights were violated and could be compensated for these losses.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse may encompass several different types of mistreatment and neglect. It can be verbal, emotional, financial, or physical. No matter what kind of abuse or neglect occurs, an Allentown lawyer who has experience with nursing home abuse claims could help a resident and their family build a case and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to receive under the law.
Some specific examples of nursing home abuse and neglect may include:
- Not providing the resident access to water and healthy foods
- Failing to provide medical care
- Ignoring complaints of pain or discomfort
- Failing to assist with toileting needs
- Forcing a resident to do something against their will
- Withholding necessary medication,
- Administering medication that was not ordering or overdosing medication
- Stealing money or belongings from a resident
- Making threats to the resident
The owners, administrators, and employees of a nursing home could be held criminally and civilly accountable for any of these negligent actions. If a nursing home resident’s friend or family member suspects, witnesses, or hears about abuse within the facility, they should report these incidents to law enforcement immediately.
Hire an Experienced Allentown Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Experiencing nursing home abuse or learning that your family member is the victim of such abuse can be frightening. The good news, though, is that you could do something about this abuse by hiring an experienced Allentown nursing home abuse lawyer. If you recently became of aware of abuse in your loved one’s nursing home, call today to schedule a consultation.
