Placing an elderly family member in someone else’s care can be a stressful and emotional decision. Fortunately, most assisted living facilities provide dedicated and compassionate care to all their residents. However, the few that do not provide appropriate care can cause serious harm and suffering to vulnerable elders and their families.
If you suspect your loved one has endured mistreatment of any kind in a long-term care facility, reach out to a Wilmington nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. After ensuring your family member’s safety, a dedicated attorney at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya can work tirelessly to seek fair financial restitution for the facility’s wrongdoing.
Rights of Nursing Home Residents
Delaware Administrative Code Title 16 §3201 sets out numerous regulations that all “skilled and intermediate care nursing facilities” in the state must adhere to. Likewise, Delaware Code Title 16 §1121 establishes inalienable rights for residents that staff members and administrators must always protect. These include the rights to:
- Manage their own finances
- Be informed about and/or refuse medical treatment
- Enjoy social activities and visits
- Receive appropriate care at all times
Identifying Neglect and Abuse in Wilmington Nursing Homes
Unfortunately, individual employees, administrators, and owners of such facilities who violate these sections of state law can cause traumatic harm to residents. It is often up to family members and friends to pay attention to their loved one’s living conditions and take action if something feels off.
Neglect and abuse in these facilities can be physical, verbal, emotional, financial, or even sexual in nature. Signs of substandard care may not always be readily apparent, and victims are often unwilling or unable to speak up about their mistreatment. Anyone with questions or concerns about potential mistreatment in an assisted living facility could seek help from a local nursing home abuse attorney. A diligent lawyer at our firm can review the situation and determine what kind of action may be necessary.
It is often difficult to directly prove allegations of abuse. Experienced attorneys know that the facilities that allow abuse are often ones that also fail to document the procedures used to combat these abuses. Those failures to document can then be used to prove the abuse likely happened, with the help of an experienced attorney.
Combatting Mistreatment in Assisted Living Facilities
If someone suspects nursing home mistreatment and cannot resolve it by speaking with facility administrators, the next best course of action may be to contact the Senior Protection Initiative, operated by the Fraud and Consumer Protection Division of Delaware’s Department of Justice. In emergency situations where a resident’s life is in immediate danger, it might be necessary to contact law enforcement and remove them from the dangerous environment.
Following this, anyone who suspects mistreatment should reach out to a nursing home neglect lawyer in Wilmington. A seasoned attorney can help a family hold the at-fault parties financially liable for any ensuing losses from the mistreatment of their loved one. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost enjoyment of life, physical and emotional distress, and certain economic losses.
Call a Wilmington Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for Help
When an elderly loved one is mistreated in an assisted living facility, it can have devastating repercussions. Victims and their families should not have to bear the financial burdens caused by abuse and neglect.
Let a Wilmington nursing home abuse lawyer hold the facility accountable and pursue appropriate compensation. The legal team at Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya is experienced in protecting the rights of nursing home residents and can guide you and your family through this difficult time. Call today to discuss your options.
