If your loved one is aging or has disabilities that require special care, a long-term care facility may be a good place for them to reside. However, not all care providers in nursing homes, memory care facilities, assisted living institutions, and other residences provide appropriate care. Unfortunately, long-term care abuse and neglect are common in many facilities.
If you think your loved one is being abused or neglected by their caregivers, read below to find out what you should do. For further help with your case, call a knowledgeable nursing home abuse and negligence lawyer at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at (205) 933-1500 today, or reach out online to schedule a free and confidential case consultation.
Actions You Can Take if You Think Your Loved One is Being Abused
Although it can be difficult to know if your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility, it’s important to take the following steps if you suspect something they are being harmed:
Write down what you see and hear.
The details of an event can be forgotten quickly. When something happens that makes you suspicious of abuse or neglect, write it down immediately.
Take pictures and videos.
Evidence can disappear quickly. It’s important to record anything you see or hear with pictures and videos. Smartphones can store an immense amount of data. Use that to your advantage as you gather evidence.
Talk to your loved one about the situation.
If you believe that your loved one is suffering from long-term care abuse, ask them what is happening. This will give them an opportunity to tell you about the situation or ask specific questions. Assess your loved one’s emotional and physical reaction to discussing what they are dealing with at their facility. They may not be comfortable telling you what is happening, but you may be able to deduct that something is not right.
Contact other people who have visited your loved one.
Ask other friends and family members if they have noticed anything unusual in your loved one’s demeanor. If you notice evidence of abuse or neglect, there is a chance that someone else has suspicions as well.
File a report.
If you discover that your loved one is suffering from abuse at their care facility, contact the authorities right away. Government agencies also monitor long-term care facilities, so there are several places where you can submit a report of neglect.
Call an attorney.
You may contact an attorney at any stage of the process. A skilled lawyer can help you conduct an investigation and gather evidence on your loved one’s behalf. They can also help you submit a report or claim for abuse and neglect.
Is Your Loved One Suffering From Long Term Care abuse? Call Us Today
If your loved one suffers mental, emotional, or physical injuries as a result of long-term care abuse or neglect, they may be able to obtain compensation for the harm they incurred. Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. today for help.to find out more about how to handle your situation. Call us at (205) 933-1500, or use our online contact form to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
