Nursing Home Abuse during a Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Order—Here’s What to Do
Nursing home abuse is a devastating reality, although efforts have been made to diminish abuse. Anyone who is abused or neglected at a nursing home deserves justice for what has happened to them. With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the country, many people are concerned about elderly adults being abused during shelter-in-place orders.
Maybe the nursing home won’t be under close scrutiny during this time due to the pandemic. Some sick individuals might see this as an opportunity to abuse elderly adults when everyone is looking the other way.
If you or someone you love was abused during the coronavirus pandemic, there are some things you can do. You can watch out for elder abuse, and you can file a claim against those responsible for the abuse.
What to Do after You Discover Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can occur in a variety of ways. A person could be physically abused by a staff worker, visitor, or other resident. This could occur during the pandemic or any time. If those who run a nursing home aren’t taking steps to ensure the safety of the residents, they can be held liable for abuse.
Some common types of elder abuse include:
- Sexual abuse
- Mental and emotional abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Verbal abuse
- Neglect
If you discover nursing home abuse has occurred, you can take action. One, you might want to move your loved one from the nursing home right away. Your loved one isn’t trapped in an abusive situation just because a shelter-in-place order is in effect.
Two, you will want to document the abuse because that documentation could be used to prove a nursing home abuse case. You will probably want to contact a nursing home abuse lawyer.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?
When your loved one was abused during a shelter-in-place order, or any other time, you could file a nursing home abuse claim against those responsible. Your lawyer can help you file your claim. Filing nursing home abuse claims can be challenging because they are legal proceedings.
Lawyers know how even the most complex laws work, and they know the steps to take to get your claim moving in the right direction.
Your injury lawyer can help you gather evidence to prove abuse. They can assist you in calculating your damages and can help with drafting your claim. They can help you deal with insurance companies to obtain a settlement, or they can take your case to trial, if you prefer.
Make the Call to a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Illinois
Justice and compensation belong to those who’ve been abused in nursing homes, whether the abuse is related to the COVID-19 outbreak or not. You can file a claim for nursing home abuse, but you don’t have to do it alone. A lawyer could make a great difference to your claim’s success.
Reach out to an Illinois nursing home abuse attorney at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC. Complete the internet form below or call 815-656-4600 and get a free case assessment. This could be your chance to right the wrong that has been done to your elderly loved one.
