Northern California Nursing Home Physical Assault Attorneys
Nursing Home Physical Assault
The trauma of a physical assault can trigger a downward spiral for a nursing home resident, leading to serious mental and physical problems, and in some cases, death. The prevalence of nursing home physical assaults and abuse in California nursing homes is not completely known due to the lack of concrete data. Definitions of elder abuse vary and statistics that have been compiled are from independent sources, not a national, regulated database. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that for every case of elder abuse reported, about five more go unreported.
At Estey Bomberger, we believe that it imperative that negligent or careless nursing home facilities and employees take responsibility for the harm being done to nursing home residents. If there is any suspicion of a defenseless nursing home resident being physically assaulted, a knowledgeable northern California nursing home abuse attorney should be contacted immediately.
Types of Physical Assault
Physical assault is the intent to unlawfully threaten or attempt to do bodily injury to another. Physical assault can take many forms, including kicking, punching, hitting, slapping, scratching, biting, burning, poking, pinching, shoving, choking, beating, cutting, stabbing, drowning, bruising, and starving. In addition, a nursing home resident could be bound, restrained, force fed, tortured, deprived of sleep or set on fire.
Signs of Physical Assault
It may be difficult, or physically impossibly for the resident to verbally disclose the physical abuse. Because of embarrassment, fear or shame, nursing home residents have a tendency to deny that the abuse ever happened. Sometimes the only way to detect that abuse is taking place, is by the physical and behavioral signs a resident exhibits. The physical signs of an assault may include cuts, bruises, wounds, bone fractures, dislocations, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, malnutrition, dehydration, welts and sprains. Behavioral signs that indicate physical assault are depression, fear, anxiety, rocking, sucking, biting, and confusion.
Recovering Damages for a Nursing Home Physical Assault
Depending on the circumstances surrounding a nursing home abuse case and the severity of the injury, a victim or a victim’s family can seek damages for a physical injury or wrongful death. Recovering damages in a personal injury claim can be a complicated endeavor and family members of victims would be well-advised to contact a northern California physical assault attorney as soon as possible after learning of the incident, while evidence is still fresh. A qualified attorney may be able to recover compensation for:
- Past, current and future medical bills
- Reduced quality of life
- Shortened life expectancy
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Other related damages.
Free Consultation with a Northern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Meeting a lawyer in person to discuss your case is invaluable, which is why the Estey Bomberger law firm offers free, no obligation consultations to all potential clients. One of our northern California nursing home abuse lawyers can schedule a consultation with you at the location of your choice. Our lawyers will meet you at your hospital, home, or office; day or night, including weekends. You only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim, so call our firm as soon as possible at (800) 890-6722. Our staff is available 24 hours a day to discuss your case and answer your questions.