Unfortunately, a recent study reported that 24.3% of nursing home residents experienced at least one instance of physical abuse while living in their respective facility. Nursing home abuse and neglect is very real in Washington State and victims have rights. If your loved one has suffered abuse at the hands of a nursing home, it’s critical that you contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney now for help.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when a nursing home facility or one of its employees commits an act that causes harm or neglect to an elderly resident. Signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Complaints about physical harm or neglect,
- Cuts, bruises, broken bones, and/or falls,
- Bed sores, rashes, and/or unexplained marks,
- Poor personal hygiene,
- Untreated medical conditions,
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration,
- Unsanitary living conditions,
- Rude and humiliating treatment from staff members, and
- Sudden changes in behavior.
If you believe a loved one is the victim of abuse, please report the matter immediately to the nursing home staff. You can also file a report with Adult Protective Services. The agency can take a report and assess the situation.
What is Washington’s Vulnerable Adult Statute?
Washington State’s Vulnerable Adult Statute is a law that protects “vulnerable adults” from:
- Abandonment,
- Abuse,
- Neglect, and
- Financial exploitation.
Examples of a “vulnerable adult” include any person who is:
- Age 60 or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for him/herself,
- Admitted to any facility (including nursing home facilities), and
- Found under state law to be incapacitated.
Facilities subject to the Vulnerable Adult Statute include licensed residences, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult family homes, and any other facility licensed or certified by Washington State.
If a vulnerable person is harmed or abused by a facility, the victim has the right to sue the facility for damages. Damages can include:
- Medical expenses,
- Property damage,
- Out-of-pocket expenses, and
- Pain and suffering.
Contact Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC
If you believe a loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, please know that Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC is here to help. Our attorneys provide free consultations to all our potential clients. Further, the attorneys at our law firm have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured victims in nursing home abuse cases. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal assistance you deserve.