What Should You Do After Seeing Nursing Home Abuse?
Posted on: 7 July 2022
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Nobody wants to see abuse happening in front of them, especially to those they care about. If you do see nursing home abuse, you cannot sit on your hands. You may feel compelled to do something, but what?
If you care about somebody and witness or suspect that they have been abused in a nursing home, you need to know what to do next. These are some of the steps you may follow after witnessing abuse.
Report Nursing Home Abuse to the Police
The first step you can take is to report the nursing home abuse to your local police department. Many times, victims of nursing home abuse are unable to speak up for themselves. As a result, it is important for family members and other concerned citizens to step in and report the abuse on their behalf.
In order to make a report, you will need to have as much information about the abuse as possible. This includes the name and address of the nursing home, the name of the victim, and any other pertinent information. You should also be prepared to give a statement to the police about what you witnessed.
If you are not sure whether or not what you witnessed is considered abuse, you can still report it to the police. They will be able to investigate the situation and determine if abuse has taken place.
File a Complaint With the Nursing Home
Another step you can take is to file a complaint with the nursing home. Many times, nursing homes have procedures in place for handling complaints of abuse. By filing a formal complaint, you can help ensure that the nursing home takes the allegations of abuse seriously and investigates the matter further.
To file a complaint, you will need to have as much information about the abuse as possible. Again, you need to report the names of the people involved, including the staff member. You'll also need to explain what you saw.
Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Family members may be able to make a legal claim. If you want to take legal action against the nursing home, you may want to consider hiring a nursing home abuse attorney. An attorney can help you gather evidence and build a case against the nursing home. He or she can also represent you in court, if necessary.
Filing a lawsuit against a nursing home can be a long and complicated process. A nursing home abuse attorney can help you navigate the legal system and give you the best chance of getting the compensation your loved one deserves.