Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes

Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes

It’s difficult enough being a caretaker, and to entrust the care of your loved one to another when you realize you can’t do it yourself. You can go through every review, interview the nursing home director, and take every precaution, but this does not extinguish the guilt you may feel if you find out that he or she was abused in a nursing home. Nursing home residents who can’t afford quality care face physical, emotional, and psychological abuses—as well as sexual assault. So what can you do to protect your loved one from sexual abuse? What are its signs, and how can she get compensation for her pain and suffering?

Nursing home abuse and negligence remains one the leading causes of wrongful death and medical malpractice cases in the United States.  Moreover, the increasing demand for skilled nursing help has forced many facilities to lower their education and training standards to meet this need. Accordingly, nursing home malpractice cases are not uncommon.

Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes

Signs of Abuse

Sexual predators find elderly patients easy prey because they are often weak, often helpless, and may suffer from mental disorders that would discredit their stories. Also, nursing home officials are quick to dismiss a resident’s sexual abuse claims as hallucinations or fantasies. If your loved ones suffer from dementia, then, assess them each time you visit. Sometimes, due to confusion, verbal communication is not enough. Accordingly, you should always look for the following general signs of abuse in your loved ones:

  • Defensive wounds on arms
  • Changes in mood
  • Unexplained or abnormal behavior
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Pain or difficulty sitting or walking
  • Unexplained pelvic injuries
  • Bruises on inner thighs
  • Bleeding or irritation
  • Bloody or stained undergarments
  • Extreme agitation

You can make a claim in Oregon against a nursing home for a resident’s personal injuries, sexual abuse, and death.  If you suspect a case of sexual abuse, such as rape, you should also contact the local authorities and file a police report.

Even at a top-rated nursing home facility, one poorly trained or negligently hired employee can cause injuries to your loved one.  Assert your rights and the rights of your loved one against the facility so that you can get the compensation you deserve and protect future patients from abuse and neglect. If your loved one suffers from dementia, take extra care to look for signs of sexual abuse.

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Dwyer, Williams, Cherkoss Attorneys, P.C. for a free consultation if you suspect a loved one has been sexually assaulted at a nursing home.

Contact a Committed Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer Today!

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Dwyer, Williams, Cherkoss Attorneys, P.C. for a free consultation if you suspect a loved one has been sexually assaulted at a nursing home.

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