In Lexington Kentucky
Protect your loved ones from abuse and neglect. Our attorneys handle complex nursing home abuse cases and are proud to help protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Free consultations & no fee unless we win.
Liability, Damages, and Next Steps
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue in this country, one that affects our most vulnerable elderly residents, including here in Lexington, Kentucky.
As families, we entrust nursing homes with the care of our loved ones, expecting a safe and supportive environment. Unfortunately, instances of abuse and neglect can occur, necessitating the expertise of a dedicated Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer.
If you are a family member of an abuse survivor, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney in our law firm.
At Peterson Law Office, we specialize in handling complex Lexington nursing home abuse cases with respect, empathy, dedication, and expertise. During your free case evaluation, you are welcome to ask any questions you may have about options for recovery and the legal assistance we can provide. So, if you have questions, we have the answers you’re seeking. Contact us for help now.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that up to two in three staff members at nursing homes and long-term care facilities admitted that they’d committed some form of elder abuse in the past year in 2022. This means that even though abuse of nursing home residents was already a critical problem before 2019, those rates skyrocketed after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understaffing, overworking, lax hiring standards, stressful work conditions, and the unmitigated spread of infection combined to create an environment that was anything but conducive to the well-being of older adults residing in nursing homes.
As the nation’s population ages, experts predict the problem will only continue to worsen—unless we do something to stop it.
A White House public statement issued in 2022 outlined the then executive office’s commitment to protecting the rights of older and vulnerable adults in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 1.3 million people lived in nursing homes across the nation as of 2020.
At least 200,000 nursing home residents nationwide died after contracting COVID-19, a number that equates to one-quarter of all illness-related deaths in the country, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). One 2021 American Journal of Geriatric Psychology study published by the National Library of Medicine indicates that elder abuse may have increased as much as 84% since the pandemic started.
Worse yet, these statistics may only reveal a fraction of the problem. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) estimates that for every one case of reported abuse, 24 cases go undetected.
If you think nursing home abuse is someone else’s problem, consider this data taken from the 2021 Kentucky Elder Abuse Report:
The terms “nursing home abuse” and “nursing home neglect” are often used interchangeably, but these are different actions, whether or not they result in the same type of injury. Here is the difference between the two concepts:
No matter whether you believe a loved one’s treatment rises to the level of abuse or neglect, be sure to reach out to us at Peterson Law Office. In the end, inappropriate, reckless, or negligent treatment is just flat-out not acceptable. We can help you hold the responsible party liable for what happened.
Nursing home abuse is generally categorized by its most common forms, which include:
Examples of physically abusive treatment that we find often occur in assisted living facilities in Fayette County are:
Any treatment that can be described as unwanted, unsolicited, or non-consensual may constitute this. Some common examples of sexually abusive treatment toward a nursing home resident include inappropriate touching or the performance of undesired sexual acts on them.
This type of treatment is also known as psychological abuse because of how it can impact a person’s mental health. Some examples of emotionally abusive treatment or verbally abusive behaviors we find that Lexington nursing home residents often face include:
According to the National Council on Aging, “the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion.” Financial exploitation of the elderly can take on many forms, including:
Neglect can be any action or omission that fails to meet the needs of the nursing home resident. Common forms of neglect we find occur in Kentucky long-term care facilities include:
No matter the type of treatment a loved one has endured, know that Kentucky law affords them rights. Contact our law office for a free case evaluation to discuss legal options available with a Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer.
Our parents, grandparents, and elderly loved ones deserve to be treated with care and dignity. Peterson Law Office is proud to help families who are dealing the aftermath of elder abuse or neglect. We're ready to fight for you and your family.
Someone who’s suffered from physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or financial abuse will usually exhibit certain symptoms. Not all signs of abuse look the same. Watch for any sudden changes or the sudden appearance of any of the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect listed below.
Remember, the best way to prevent and stop abuse is by being present, active, and involved in your loved one’s life.
Some indicators that your loved one finds oneself in an abusive situation include if you notice they have:
If you notice that a nursing home resident is suffering from or has any of the following, they may indicate they are being neglected:
According to Kentucky Regulatory Statutes KRS 216.515, nursing home residents in our state should enjoy at least the following minimum rights:
Nursing home abuse victims deserve a knowledgeable, professional advocate who can help them obtain justice through legal recourse. While family members are usually eager to do all they can to hold a Kentucky nursing home facility accountable for the harm their loved one suffered, few people have the legal training needed to effectively litigate a case of nursing home abuse.
Legal action is a meaningful way to prevent negligent facilities from continuing the actions that led to a nursing home resident’s harm. However, these cases are highly complicated and best handled by seasoned nursing home abuse attorneys in Lexington who specialize in these legal matters.
Nursing home residents may be able to seek compensation after suffering physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, lack of proper care, or other forms of maltreatment at the hands of facility staff members.
The ultimate goal of every nursing home abuse attorney on our team is to stop nursing home abuse completely.
Cases like these are much different from other personal injury ones. Successfully litigating a case of nursing home abuse or neglect in Kentucky takes competence and commitment.
If someone you love was mistreated in a Kentucky nursing home, compensation should address all of the losses they’ve suffered. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your attorney may be able to win your family compensation for both economic and noneconomic losses you have sustained, including:
If your loved one lost their life through nursing home negligence, your attorney can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim with the facility’s insurance company. This can help you recover costs associated with life-saving medical attempts, funeral and burial costs, and loss of companionship.
We advise all family members of elder care facility residents to be vigilant in watching for signs of abuse or neglect.
If you have reason to believe a resident is being in any way mistreated, follow these steps:
Nursing home abuse is a distressing reality that demands attention and action in Lexington.
Families facing suspicions or evidence of abuse should not hesitate to seek legal assistance from a qualified Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer. By taking proactive steps and asserting the rights of vulnerable residents, it is possible to hold negligent parties accountable and prevent future instances of mistreatment.
At Peterson Law Office, we understand how the support and expertise of a skilled legal professional can make a significant difference in achieving justice and ensuring the safety and well-being of nursing home residents in Lexington.
Contact us today to schedule a meeting.
Lexington • Richmond • Winchester • Georgetown • Mt. Sterling • Somerset • London • Danville
If you have any questions about a potential personal injury claim, call us or fill out the form below to schedule a free, confidential case consultation.
(859) 559-4160
