These days, anyone can file a lawsuit, almost for any perceived reason it seems. And, when an entity is viewed as a deep pocket defendant, sometimes plaintiffs will file lawsuits in such a manner that it seems like they are going through the “throw it all against the wall and see what sticks” approach.
However, there is no doubt that many lawsuits are filed for valid reasons. For those who work in nursing homes or entities that run nursing homes, it may seem like it is impossible to avoid facing lawsuits that allege elder abuse or neglect. But, for those who take the time to understand what, exactly, elder abuse or neglect might look like, that knowledge may give them the ability to protect themselves and prevent it from happening in their facilities.
Understand elder abuse and neglect
Instances of elder abuse or neglect have similarities to child abuse and neglect: the victim can’t always protect themselves or take care of their own needs. Older people oftentimes have physical frailties to deal with or they may have declining mental abilities. They might not have the ability to report situations that might rise to the level of abuse or neglect. That is why it is so important for others, including those who work in nursing homes or who own and operate them, to be on the lookout for this conduct.
Abuse, of course, refers to the physical mistreatment of an older person. This doesn’t always have to mean hitting or striking; it can include any means of injuring an older person deliberately.
Neglect can be a very common form of elder mistreatment. The victim’s physical needs might not be attended to as they should be, or medical treatment may be untimely or inconsistent. If a person’s health is declining, or that person is becoming more withdraw or injuries appear that cannot be explained, then elder abuse or neglect might be occurring. Understanding elder abuse and neglect – and making sure nursing home employees know what to look for – can be a crucial step to avoiding lawsuits.
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