Common Types of Abuse & Neglect

The most common type of abuse and neglect happens when nursing home staff neglect or willfully injure residents. This is especially likely to happen in workplaces that are understaffed, where proper vetting doesn’t happen. When there are fewer workers, residents don’t get the care they need. High turnover and poor working conditions can also make it harder to recruit the best staff, so facilities may be less likely to look for red flags, such as previous accusations of harm.

In some cases, though, it is other residents who harm and abuse fellow residents. This can happen in cases where residents suffer from some conditions that can make them act aggressively or erratically. It can also happen when abusive individuals are placed in a nursing home alongside a vulnerable population. In this situation, it is the facility’s responsibility to supervise residents and separate or remove anyone who is a danger to other residents.

Common Forms of Neglect & Injuries

Every case of abuse is unique, but the following are the most common forms of harm. It’s important to note that in many cases, abuse and neglect can involve more than one form of harm. For example, a nursing home resident may be neglected but also emotionally and physically abused.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the use of force to cause injury or pain to a nursing home resident. This can include hitting, slapping, pushing, burning, or restraining a resident inappropriately.

Physical abuse can lead to bruises, broken bones, cuts, or more severe injuries. In many cases, it escalates, with the abuser inflicting more serious injuries. In extreme situations, physical abuse can lead to head injuries and other harm that can prove fatal. Victims of physical abuse may become fearful of their abuser and try to hide their injuries, making it harder to detect.

Emotional Abuse

This abuse involves verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation. Common examples include shouting at the resident, insulting them, or threatening to abandon them. This type of abuse can be difficult to recognize because there may be no visible physical signs.

Even when there is no physical harm, emotional abuse can lead to anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and a decline in a resident’s overall mental health. In many cases, emotional abuse happens alongside other forms of harm.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any unwanted sexual contact or behavior directed at a nursing home resident. This can include inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or coercion.

Sexual abuse is a traumatic and serious violation, and it can cause long-term emotional and physical harm. Victims may suffer bruises and physician injury during the abuse, and this can take a long time to heal. In addition, victims may get sexually transmitted infections and may suffer from emotional trauma as a result of the abuse.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse happens when someone in a position of trust, such as a caregiver, family member, or staff member, steals or exploits a resident’s financial resources. This can include stealing money, forging checks, pressuring the resident to change their will or surrender their savings. It can also mean forcing an elderly person to sign over assets or Power of Attorney, allowing the perpetrator to gain control over a person’s estate. 

Financial abuse can leave elderly residents financially vulnerable and struggling to meet their needs.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to meet a resident’s basic needs, including proper medical care, nutrition, hygiene, and safety. While neglect may not involve malicious intent, it can still have severe consequences.

Examples of neglect include failing to provide adequate food, water, or medication, not assisting with personal hygiene, or leaving the resident in a dangerous or unsupervised situation. For example, it can mean leaving a resident alone in the shower, where they can slip and fall. It can also involve failing to provide a resident with heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.

Prolonged neglect can lead to physical, emotional, and health deterioration. A neglected resident may suffer from bed sores from not moving enough. These sores can become infected and can harm tissue and skin. Neglected residents may also become dehydrated and malnourished. Lack of medical attention can lead to health complications.

Medical Abuse

Medical abuse or medical malpractice involves the improper administration of medication, failure to provide necessary medical treatment, or the misuse of medical equipment. This can also include failure to monitor a resident’s condition, leading to preventable illnesses, injuries, or complications. Another common type of medical abuse is oversedation. This is where residents are unnecessarily given sedation to keep them compliant.

If medical staff or caregivers fail to provide the appropriate level of care, a resident’s manageable condition can become life-threatening. For example, if a resident has diabetes and doesn’t get their insulin, they can slip into a coma and pass away.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

In Colorado, victims of nursing home abuse or neglect may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages. Holding the responsible parties accountable can also help protect other victims by shining a light on the abuse.

How much you can recover in a nursing home abuse or neglect case will depend on several factors, including the type of abuse, the severity of the harm, and the losses. Consult with nursing home abuse lawyers in Colorado if your family member has been the victim of abuse. Lawyers can help you understand whether you have a claim—and how much you can seek in compensation.

How Can Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Help Victims?

Nursing home abuse lawyers in Colorado are your allies when abuse has taken place. In these situations, it’s not uncommon for nursing homes to deny all wrongdoing, so one of the first steps an attorney will take is to conduct a thorough investigation. Your lawyer will have the resources to:

• Interview witnesses, including residents, staff members, and other individuals who may have observed the mistreatment.
• Gather and review evidence, such as medical records, surveillance footage, incident reports, and witness statements.
• Work with experts, such as medical professionals, who can evaluate the condition of the victim and provide insight into how abuse or neglect may have contributed to their injuries.

In addition lawyers will consider all liable parties, including caregivers, medical professionals, administrators, or even the facility itself. An attorney can help identify the responsible individuals and file a claim against them.

Your attorney will file a claim on your behalf, if that’s what you decide to do. Your lawyer will take care of all paperwork and filings and will negotiate with the nursing home’s insurance company or legal representatives to seek a fair settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. In court, your attorney will present the strongest possible case, to give you and your family the best chance at a fair verdict.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Elder Abuse?

If you suspect that a loved one is being abused in a nursing home, take immediate action. Abuse can escalate and the emotional and physical impact can get more serious. Here is what to do:

• Document everything. Take notes about physical or behavioral changes that may indicate abuse or neglect. With the resident’s permission, photograph injuries or unusual conditions and keep a record of any incidents, conversations, or concerns that arise.
• Report the abuse. Contact the nursing home management to report your concerns. If you believe the situation is urgent or that a crime has taken place, contact local law enforcement.
• Take steps to protect the resident. This may mean relocating the resident to another facility where they can be safe.

You will also want to consult with nursing home abuse lawyers in Colorado. A lawyer experienced in nursing home abuse cases can help you investigate the situation, protect your loved one, and pursue legal action.