Examples of Abuse

1. What are some examples of abuse that lawyers see in nursing home liability cases?

Common forms of abuse include cuts and bruises when nursing home attendants hit or push residents. The most serious of this type of abuse may be directed against residents who are lack the capacity to identify their attackers.

Mental abuse, unfortunately, is also quite common. Poorly trained attendants may yell at or threaten residents.  If the resident has a reduced mental capacity, the effect of even mild verbal abuse from a caregiver can be devastating.  Even if there is no physical injury, juries have been increasingly willing to recognize the seriousness of verbal abuse directed against nursing home residents.  Emotional abuse can also take the form of behavior that causes humiliation, harassment, threats, deprivation, intimidation, manipulation, and degradation. Involuntary isolation and unwarranted restriction of activities also constitute emotional abuse.

Extreme neglect, such as when a resident is left alone for hours or is not given access to the restroom can also be characterized as abuse in a court of law.