Nursing Home Sexual Abuse is Real and Illegal

As shocking as it may seem, nursing home sexual abuse is, unfortunately, a real occurrence.

At Greenberg & Stein, our nursing home abuse attorneys have decades of experience handling elder abuse lawsuits, including sexual abuse in nursing homes. We have the resources needed to help nursing home residents and families with their claims. While each case is different, our attorneys have consistently recovered significant awards in nursing home abuse cases.

The goal of our NYC nursing home lawyers is not only to recover compensation for nursing home residents who have been sexually abused, but also to be a major deterrent for other nursing homes engaging in similar conduct.

Sexual abuse in the nursing home setting is often traumatizing, creating mental, physical, and emotional anguish for the victim as well as the family involved. Sexual abuse in nursing homes occurs when a senior/elderly resident is forced or tricked into unwanted nonconsensual sex or sexual contact or when the resident is too weak or ill to give consent. Staff members, other residents, visitors, strangers or even family members can sexually abuse nursing home residents.

Why Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Goes Unchecked

One of the most horrible types of elder abuse is sexual abuse. Caregivers have been known to violate the trust they were given to care for an elderly person. Abusers target elderly people who they believe are vulnerable and “easy targets.” They also tend to abuse the elderly because they believe they will not be punished if they abuse senior citizens who are largely isolated from family and easily confused.

It can be easy for sexual predators to prey on elderly people who inhabit nursing home facilities because many of them suffer from physical and mental impairments that inhibit them from fighting back. A nursing home resident who suffers from dementia, for example, could have difficulty remembering the assault; he or she could also find it difficult to find the right words to express the mistreatment to someone else.

Although this sexual abuse can occur anywhere, it tragically occurs most frequently in nursing homes. These are incredibly immoral, illegal actions that should be prosecuted. Families and caregivers need to recognize the signs of this type of abuse.

Important Facts About Nursing Home Sexual Abuse

Women are traditionally seen as “weaker” than men and therefore less able to protect themselves.

One of the most egregious forms of senior citizen sexual abuse is the sexual abuse committed to patients who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of memory impairment. Because these residents are often confused, the abuser believes that no one will believe their complaints, therefore feeling more confident that they can abuse them without any repercussions. Nursing home residents with dementia and other issues are therefore at an increased risk of sexual abuse.

There are physical and psychological signs of abuse that should be carefully looked for. If the elderly person is exhibiting any of the following signs it is important to contact authorities.

The following are the common signs of nursing home abuse:

• Bleeding and/or bruising in the genital areas
• Bruising and/or handprints on the breasts, inner thighs, and buttocks
• Blood stains on clothing and/or bed linens
• Unexplained indications of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Infection in the genital areas
• Recent increased development of pain when sitting or walking
• Refusal to communicate with family and loved ones
• Unusual behavior, i.e. fear or anxiety when around a certain caregiver at the facility or agitation and abrupt change in mood
• Withdrawal/depression

If you have a relative or loved one who lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should be aware of the signs of abuse. It is important to document all information relevant to incidents, keep records as detailed accounts are often more likely to prompt investigations. Begin keeping track of evidence (bruising, mood, dates, times, confession, revelations, etc.).

There is no mandatory reporting law in New York for those who suspect nursing home sexual abuse or any other kind of elder abuse. When reporting suspicious cases you can ask that your name be kept confidential.

Greenberg & Stein: Your Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Contacting the authorities when you suspect sexual abuse in a nursing home is vital to putting an end to the problem. So, too, is involving a nursing home abuse attorney from Greenberg & Stein. The sooner you contact Greenberg & Stein, P.C., the sooner a case can be built on behalf of your loved one.

The following may be grounds for filing a nursing home abuse claim:

• Negligent Hiring
• Understaffing
• Inadequate Training
• Third-Party Responsibility Claim
• Breach of Statutory or Regulatory Rights
• Medication Errors

If it can be demonstrated that a nursing home or its employees have acted negligently, they may be held liable for any resulting damages. Call Greenberg & Stein right away before it continues. They can review your case and help stop the abuse.

We are New York City personal injury lawyers who have been working in the legal field for more than 50 years, collectively.

Whether your case goes to court or it can be settled outside of trial, we are here to help your elderly loved one seek maximum compensation for the pain and suffering that were experienced. Taking legal action can also help to ensure that the sexual abuse does not continue in the future.

To schedule an initial case consultation contacts our firm today. Our NYC office location:

360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1501

New York, NY 10017

Call us today: 888-411-3966

Email us anytime: seth@greenbergaold.wpengine.com