Fairfax Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Fighting Abuse and Neglect in Virginia Nursing Homes

Entrusting your loved one’s care to a nursing home is a difficult decision. This decision becomes even more difficult when studies suggest elder abuse is as prevalent as child abuse. Fortunately, you can keep an eye on your loved one’s health and safety – and you have legal options if something goes wrong.

If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, Carroll & Nuttall, PLLC can help. We are aggressive and experienced litigators, and we will not stand for maltreatment in institutions that advertise safety and good health.

Call us at (703) 952-5801 to fight for the justice you and your loved ones deserve.

Types of Elder Abuse

Caretakers can harm and take advantage of older adults in a myriad of ways – from physical abuse to financial exploitation.

The main forms of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical abuse – causing bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping an older adult or restraining them against their will
• Emotional/ psychological abuse – yelling, threatening, saying hurtful words, or repeatedly ignoring an older adult or isolating them from close friends and relatives
• Neglect – failing to respond to an older adult’s basic needs or withholding food, medication, sanitation, or access to healthcare
• Abandonment – leaving an older adult who needs help with basic functions alone or without supervision/ assistance.
• Sexual abuse – unwanted touching or sexual attention and/or forcing an older adult to watch or participate in sexual acts
• Financial abuse – stealing money or belongings from an older adult, sometimes via forging checks, mismanaging someone’s bank account, or changing legal documents without permission

Many instances of nursing home neglect and abuse occur behind closed doors, which is why it’s so important for loved ones to stay vigilant. Visiting your loved one regularly is the best way to prevent nursing home abuse – and the only way to stop it if it’s happening.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Some forms of abuse are easier to detect than others, but you should keep an eye out for any significant physical or emotional changes in your loved one.

Signs of nursing home abuse can include:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars
• Broken eyeglasses/frames
• Weight loss
• Bed sores
• Poor hygiene (unwashed hair or dirty clothes)
• Hazardous, unsafe, or unclean living conditions
• Withdrawn, agitated, or depressed mood
• Violent outbursts
• Rocking back and forth
• Trouble sleeping
• Unpaid bills despite adequate financial resources
• Sudden financial changes

If you notice any of these signs, ask your loved one first. Keep in mind that they may be afraid or unable to talk or ask for help. Never trust a nursing home that does not allow you to spend time alone with your loved one.

You have every right to hold nursing home staff accountable for any abuse you or your loved one has suffered.

Before you confront the nursing home about suspected abuse, however, you should speak to our Fairfax nursing home abuse attorneys.

What Are the Consequences of Nursing Home Abuse?

Elder abuse can have several physical and psychological effects on aging adults. In addition to physical injuries, this kind of abuse can cause fear, anxiety, problems with trust, and even mental health conditions. In many cases, elder abuse can lead to premature death.

If you suspect nursing home abuse, you need to get help right away.

Call Carroll & Nuttall, PLLC Today

Our attorneys at Carroll & Nuttall, PLLC do not stand for nursing home neglect and abuse, and neither should you. When you contact us, we will listen to you with kindness and compassion before applying our knowledge and experience to your case. We can help you extract your loved one from dangerous situations, gather evidence, and hold the perpetrators accountable. We can also help you pursue the compensation your family needs to recover from this tragedy.

Our firm cares about our community, and we care about you. Help us make Fairfax and surrounding areas better for older adults.

Call us at (703) 952-5801 or contact us online today.