Lexington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

The decision to place your loved one in the care of a nursing home facility is never easy but is often a move made out of care and love. No matter how much we might want to keep a parent or grandparent at home, the average person does not have the requisite medical knowledge or experience to care for an aging family member. Sadly, the trust that we place in nursing facilities is sometimes misplaced. If your loved one was harmed at their assisted living facility, contact Thomas Law Offices today. This is your chance to speak with a Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer.

Kentucky law generally only gives elderly nursing home residents who suffered abuse just one year to take action against a long-term care facility that harmed them. This ill-treatment can have a severe impact on these victims’ lives, including shortening it. You have the power to help your loved one and put a stop to nursing home abuse. Thomas Law Offices is here to guide you through this process. When you contact our office, we’ll schedule a free case evaluation.

During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a nursing home abuse attorney. We’ll discuss what legal action is at your disposal and how you can help your loved one recover compensation for their related medical expenses and other financial, physical, and emotional damages. So, if you’re ready to learn more about your rights, contact us to schedule that free case review now.

Statistics Regarding Elder Abuse in Kentucky

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CFHS) collects data on elder abuse in our state. The state agency’s 2020 Kentucky Elder Abuse Report shows that the following was true regarding adults aged 60 and over from between July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:

  • Adult Protective Services (APS) received 23,766 calls about suspected nursing home abuse, a 6.54% increase from the same period the year before.
  • APS determined that 9.46% of calls met the criteria for further investigation.
  • Two thousand thirty-two calls that warranted further investigation involved neglect by a caretaker.
Nursing Home Abuse in Cleveland

Causes of Nursing Home Abuse

There is no single cause of elder abuse in residential settings. However, our years of experience representing victims of Lexington nursing home abuse have given us unique insight into this matter. Below are some of the most common contributing factors to nursing home abuse in the Bluegrass State. If you do not see what you suspect is the cause of your loved one’s abuse listed below, do not hesitate to contact our law firm for a free consultation.

  • Understaffing
  • Inadequate training
  • Underqualified staff
  • Poor pay
  • Corporate greed

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Nursing Home Residents Have Rights

Both state and federal law afford protections to residents of nursing homes in Lexington, KY.

Enacted in 1987, the federal Nursing Home Reform Law provides vital protections to nursing home residents and outlines quality of life expectations, services and activities to be provided and specific rights to which residents are entitled. Those rights are as follows:

  • The right to be fully informed
  • The right to participate in their own care
  • The right to make independent choices
  • The right to privacy and confidentiality
  • The right to dignity, respect, and freedom
  • The right to security of possessions
  • The right to complain
  • The right to visits
  • The right to remain in a nursing home facility unless a transfer or discharge is necessary

The Nursing Home Reform Law also outlines specific rights regarding the process of a transfer or discharge. The Kentucky Department of CHFS and the Nursing Home Ombudsmen Agency of the Bluegrass also detail the rights to which nursing home residents in Kentucky are entitled.

Identifying Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

You may be the best person to identify signs of nursing home abuse in your loved one. Remaining a constant presence in their life will help you notice any worrying changes, including some of the signs that they might be suffering harm at the hands of their caregivers.

Physical Signs of Abusive Treatment

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse may all leave obvious signs of harm. As nursing home abuse lawyers, we advise watching for physical signs of abuse:

  • Bruises and cuts
  • Broken bones
  • Bedsores
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Bruising or bleeding in the groin area or on the genitals

Do not allow a nursing home to convince you that your loved one’s signs of abuse are simply an effect of their condition. While residents can experience physical deterioration related to aging or a serious health condition, the above signs should never be ignored. Reach out to a Lexington nursing home abuse attorney if you believe that your loved one’s condition is the result of elder abuse.

Psychological and Emotional Signs of Mistreatment

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and sexual abuse can cause a victim to display signs of significant psychological harm. Do not hesitate to take action if you notice any of the following signs of psychological distress in your loved one:

  • Sudden change in behavior
  • Refusal or reluctance to talk
  • Feelings of shame or guilt
  • Reluctance to take part in favored activities
  • Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
  • Fear of certain staff members

If you require legal assistance to help your parent or grandparent file a nursing home abuse case, Thomas Law Offices is here for you.

Signs of Financial Abuse

Your loved one might be the victim of financial abuse if they:

  • Struggle to pay their bills despite having sufficient savings or retirement income
  • Begin asking to borrow money for no discernable reason
  • Make large, unexplained withdrawals from their accounts
  • Say they lent money to others but have no plans to collect payment

A single person’s financial exploitation of your loved one can erase a lifetime of savings and hard work in a relatively short period of time. If you notice any unusual behavior with a parent or grandparent’s finances, don’t be afraid to speak up on their behalf. Your advocacy may be what preserves their financial stability.

Meet Our Attorneys

  • Mike Campbell
  • Eric Kiser
  • Alex Cassell
  • Cameryn Gonnella
  • Lindsy Lopez

How Nursing Home Abuse Affects Families

Nursing home abuse can have consequences for both the victims and their families. Sometimes, residents may suffer from physical injuries like broken bones, bedsores, and malnutrition, while emotionally, they endure trauma, often leading to depression or anxiety. Any abuse can result in medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and the potential need to move their loved one to a safer facility. If the incident involves financial exploitation, victims may lose their savings or assets.

When families discover abuse, they may have feelings of betrayal and anger. The emotional toll is staggering. Many family members may struggle with guilt over their decision to place their loved one in a facility and feel helpless for not preventing the harm.

Unfortunately, the long-term impact will continue well after the abuse. Legal action can help secure financial compensation and provide a sense of justice. If you would like more information about holding these abusers accountable for their actions, make sure to reach out to our law firm. Schedule a case analysis with our Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer.

How To Report Nursing Home Abuse in Lexington, KY

State law mandates the reporting of nursing home neglect, abuse, and financial exploitation. Despite this, abuse in nursing home facilities often goes undetected and unreported. Never shy away from reporting abuse. If you suspect elder abuse occurring in a nursing facility, you may make a report by:

  • Calling CHFS at 1-877-597-2331
  • Filling out an online form at CHFS’s website
  • Calling the Office of the Inspector General at 1-877-228-7384

If you suspect abuse, take decisive action to report the nursing facility to the proper authorities. Do not worry if you only have a suspicion—it is up to Adult Protective Services to determine whether reports are substantiated or not. After reporting your suspicions, we also recommend scheduling a free consultation with a Lexington elder abuse lawyer to discuss your options for legal recourse.

How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer from Thomas Law Offices Can Help

Your loved one deserved better than to be abused in the one place they were supposed to be cared for. If you are ready to help them pursue civil action for the harm they suffered, Thomas Law Offices is here to guide your claim.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers have dedicated their professional careers to advocating for those others have harmed, and our deep respect for the attorney-client relationship uniquely positions us to help resolve even the most complex legal issues.

Let a Lexington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Advocate for You

Nursing homes should be safe environments in which our aging loved ones can receive the care they need. Abuse or neglect robs them of their right to enjoy their final years in peace.

If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us at Thomas Law Offices for a free case evaluation. We’ll match you with a Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer who will answer all your questions about your case.

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