Verbal abuse in a nursing home includes language and gestures used to intimidate, distress, or humiliate a nursing home resident. The impacts of verbal abuse can be far-reaching, with victims suffering both mental anguish and, often, the physical symptoms of stress.
If you have a loved one who was verbally abused at their nursing home, the Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers at Shore Law can help.
What Counts as Verbal Abuse in a Nursing Home?
Verbal abuse includes oral, written, or gestural language that is aimed at harming another person. Examples include threatening language that causes someone to be fearful or demeaning words meant to humiliate the person they are directed at.
This can involve:
- Yelling or screaming, even when the words themselves are not threatening or cruel.
- Insulting someone or calling them names.
- Threatening physical harm or threatening to withhold care or family visits.
- Belittling someone, such as speaking to them as though they were a child or couldn’t understand what was being said.
- Guilt-tripping a resident when they ask for help.
While physical abuse can sometimes be caught through bruises or other medical issues, verbal abuse often goes undetected. This leaves vulnerable residents in the care of their abusers.
What Harm Can Verbal Abuse Cause?
The effects of verbal abuse can be serious. Your loved one may suffer:
- Depression and/or anxiety.
- Worsened dementia or symptoms due to the stress of the situation.
- Fear.
- Regression in their behavior.
- High blood pressure due to stress.
- Weight loss due to decreased or loss of appetite.
- Sleep issues.
If your loved one has suffered harm due to verbal abuse, the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Shore Law can hold abusers (and, in some cases, their employers) financially accountable for the harm they’ve caused.
What Are Signs of Verbal Abuse in a Nursing Home?
In addition to changes in behavior in your loved one, you can also keep an eye out for:
- Interactions between staff and other residents. For example, if you see a nurse insulting another resident in a common area.
- Seeing other issues, such as rooms being messier, bedsheets not being changed, or other cleanliness concerns.
- Your loved one mentions not liking someone or seems fearful when certain staff members are present.
If you are worried that your loved one may be being abused at their nursing home, reach out to Shore Law.
Who May Be At Fault in Nursing Home Verbal Abuse Cases?
While the abuser is always at fault, their employer may also be liable. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have a responsibility to keep their residents safe from harm. Federally, the Nursing Home Reform Act sets minimum standards of care that all nursing homes must follow.
The nursing home administrators may be at fault when:
- They failed to properly vet employees.
- They failed to act on complaints or warning signs.
- They failed to properly supervise staff and resident interactions.
- They did not intervene when abuse was happening.
What Evidence Is Needed for Nursing Home Verbal Abuse Cases?
The type of evidence needed for your case depends on the specific circumstances involved. Your Shore Law nursing home abuse attorney will carefully investigate.
Available evidence could include:
- Video footage if the nursing home has security cameras.
- A victim statement from your loved one or other residents who have been abused.
- Medical documentation of behavioral changes or stress-induced physical changes.
- Witness accounts, including from other staff, other residents, or visitors.
- Incident reports from the facility.
- Staff records and reports.
- Official complaints against a staff member or the facility.
Your lawyer will use the available evidence to build a strong case for compensation from wrongdoers.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in Nursing Home Verbal Abuse Cases?
In nursing home verbal abuse cases, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses that are a result of the abuse.
Compensation may include:
Economic Damages
These refer to compensation for direct financial losses. Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses.
- Mental health counseling expenses.
- Relocation costs if you need to move your loved one to a different nursing home.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are forms of compensation for the physical and emotional harm caused by the verbal abuse. They can include:
- Emotional distress.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of dignity.
- Humiliation.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
The legal team at Shore Law will seek the maximum compensation your family is entitled to recover.
What Is the Deadline for Nursing Home Abuse Cases?
In Illinois, you generally have two years to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. However, there can be exceptions to this timeframe, so always talk to your legal team about the expected deadline for your case.
In addition to the statute of limitations, getting started on your case soon can also help with evidence preservation.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Shore Law Today
What is verbal abuse in a nursing home? Verbal abuse includes spoken, written, or even gestured language that is intended to harm someone. If your loved one has suffered harm because of verbal abuse, the legal team at Shore Law is here to help.
We have recovered over $250 million for our clients and will fight to hold abusers and negligent nursing homes accountable. Our lawyers work on contingency, which means you will only pay our fees if we recover compensation for you.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
