It can be a difficult decision to put yourself or a loved one in a nursing home, but unfortunately sometimes it is a necessary choice. However, just because someone has to be in a nursing home does not mean he or she has to live in a depressing or abusive environment. If you or someone you love has become a resident of a bad nursing home, it is important for you to know that you have options. People are sometimes physically or psychologically harmed by the negligent or intentional acts of their caregivers.
Commonality of Nursing Home Abuse
Several factors have been shown to contribute to the abuse or neglect of residents including: Poorly qualified staff
- Inadequately trained staff
- Staff with a history of violence
- Inadequate numbers of staff
- Isolation of residents
- Reluctance of residents to report abuse out of embarrassment or fear
Employee Responsibility
There are many ways in which nursing homes can be held responsible for injuring others as a result of their negligence, abuse, or violations of criminal statutes, as well as violations pertaining to their licensing, maintenance, and general operation. All of which can be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit in order to compensate the abused victim through a personal injury settlement.
A nursing home can be held liable for negligence if the injured party can prove:
- The nursing home's owner or employees breached a duty of care owed to the injured person
- The person's injury was caused by this breach
- The nursing home owner's or employee's conduct caused the injury
