Abuse of Elderly More Common Than Many Realize
Elder abuse leading to personal injuries occurs more frequently than most of us are aware. A staggering approximate of one third of nursing homes in the United States have been cited for some type of nursing home abuse.
Missouri personal injury attorneys do their best to keep a sort of checks and balances system in place. Recently in Missouri, a nursing home and its employees were found guilty of both criminal and civil conduct. Criminal charges were filed after recurring physical abuse led to the death of a 78-year-old man.
The man, allegedly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, was unable to walk. His family had to place him in a nursing home so his needs were better met. Over the course of his stay in the nursing home, one particular staff member allegedly beat the man repeatedly. Nurses found the nursing home abuse victim with a bleeding forehead, swollen lip and bruised eye. The personal injury victim was taken to the hospital where he died from a severe head injury known as a subdural hematoma.
The nursing home employee was found by the court to be the cause of the man’s death. He was also found to have acted in intentional disregard for the man's life through physically abusing him on several occasions. The nursing home operator was found to be negligent in the care of the man.
The actions by the nursing home and its employees, although sickening, are not uncommon. Nursing home abuse is extremely common. The nursing home has a duty to care for those people staying in their facility. When they fail to uphold this duty, they are liable for the resulting personal injuries and damages.
Victims have the right to bring a lawsuit against those who negligently care for them or intentionally act in disregard for their lives. Possible damages include medical expenses, pain, suffering, lost wages, and mental anguish.
When dealing with such a traumatic incident like nursing home abuse, legal assistance may be the last thing on your mind. It is crucial to contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney to assist in your case. The investigation often makes or breaks a case. An experienced lawyer will be able to complete a thorough investigation on your behalf. It is often said, an injury victim’s best weapon is an experienced injury lawyer.
John Page is an experienced St. Louis, MO personal injury attorney and a partner at the Page || Cagle law firm. He is dedicated to aggressively representing injury victims. John encourages victims and their families to contact him for a free law firm consultation.
He can be contacted an online contacted via email at john@pagecagle.com. You can also call him 24 hours a day at 314.322.8515 or 800.500.4658.
