Types of Nursing Home Abuse

When families entrust their loved ones to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, they have a right to expect professional care that prioritizes each individual’s dignity and well-being. However, vulnerable residents face various types of nursing home abuse that can cause devastating harm. Understanding these different forms of mistreatment helps families recognize warning signs and take swift action to protect their loved ones.

At D’Amico Pettinicchi, our experienced legal team has fought for Connecticut nursing home abuse victims for over 35 years. We understand the complex nature of elder abuse cases and have the resources to hold negligent facilities accountable. If you suspect your loved one is experiencing any form of abuse or neglect, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.

Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Since 1990, D’Amico Pettinicchi has established itself as a leader in nursing home abuse and elder exploitation cases throughout Connecticut. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for families seeking justice and accountability for their loved ones’ suffering. With extensive experience in these complex matters, we maintain a nursing home abuse caseload that consistently exceeds other practices in the state.

Other law firms regularly refer their most challenging elder abuse cases to us because they know we have the know-how and determination to win. We understand the financial stress that nursing home abuse victims and their families face, which is why we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case, and we cover all upfront costs during the legal process.

When It’s Time to Fight the Good Fight℠, you need experienced attorneys who will fight relentlessly for your family’s rights. That’s D’Amico Pettinicchi.

What Are Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

The following types of nursing home abuse are far too common in Connecticut facilities:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the deliberate use of force that causes bodily harm. It might take the form of the following:

• Slapping or hitting
• Pushing or shoving
• Restraining residents inappropriately
• Using excessive force during routine care

You might be able to recognize physical abuse from the following signs:

Physical abuse often occurs when facilities are understaffed, employees lack proper training, or management fails to supervise caregivers adequately. When staff members are overwhelmed or frustrated, they might resort to force when dealing with residents.

Emotional Abuse

While bodily abuse is always a serious cause for alarm, the following forms of emotional abuse can be just as harmful:

However, psychological abuse is not always obvious to family members. This is due to the fact that these cases often lack the same types of physical evidence. As such, it is crucial for loved ones to watch for behavioral changes that might indicate abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assault and abuse refer to any non-consensual sexual contact or inappropriate touching, as well as the sexual exploitation of residents. The following warning signs could indicate sexual abuse:

Sexual abuse in nursing homes often goes unreported due to residents’ cognitive impairment. In other situations, they might fear retaliation or feel too much shame to come forward. Facilities should have strict policies and procedures in place to prevent this heinous abuse, including requiring all staff members to undergo thorough background checks.

Neglect or Abandonment

Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide the necessary care and services that residents require to maintain their health and feel safe. Abandonment involves leaving residents without adequate supervision or care.

Common forms of neglect include the following:

Neglect can result in serious health complications, including malnutrition, dehydration, infections, pressure sores, and preventable injuries. Understaffed facilities, as well as those with poorly trained employees, are particularly prone to neglect-related incidents.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation occurs when a facility or caregiver improperly — or even illegally — uses a resident’s funds, property, or assets for their own gain. Some of the most common examples of financial exploitation include the following:

• Stealing money or personal belongings
• Forging signatures on checks or legal documents
• Misusing power of attorney privileges
• Overcharging for services or supplies
• Pressuring residents to change their wills or beneficiaries
• Identity theft or credit card fraud

Financial exploitation can destroy elderly residents’ economic security and leave them unable to afford the care they need.

Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare fraud involves deliberately providing unnecessary medical treatments, services, or medications to increase billing revenues. This type of abuse puts residents at risk of harm from unnecessary procedures while also constituting insurance fraud.

False Imprisonment

False imprisonment occurs when nursing home staff restrict residents’ movement or freedom without proper medical justification. This can include inappropriate use of restraints, locking residents in their rooms, or preventing them from leaving the facility.

Who Could Be Held Responsible for Nursing Home Abuse?

Multiple parties may bear responsibility for nursing home abuse, including the following:

• Medical Staff – Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who directly care for residents can be held liable for abuse, neglect, or medical malpractice.
• Administrative Staff – Facility administrators, directors, and supervisors may be liable for creating policies that enable abuse, failing to supervise staff adequately, or not responding appropriately to reports of abuse.
• The Facility’s License Holders – Individuals or entities holding the facility’s operating license bear responsibility for ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining acceptable standards of care.
• Corporate Owners – When corporations or investment groups own nursing homes, these entities may be held liable for prioritizing profits over resident safety or failing to provide adequate resources for proper care.
• Third-Party Healthcare Providers – Outside contractors providing services like physical therapy, pharmacy services, or medical equipment may be liable if their negligence contributes to resident harm.
• Other Residents – In some cases, other residents may be responsible for abuse, particularly when facilities fail to provide adequate supervision or separate residents with behavioral issues.

Potential Compensation for Nursing Home Negligence

Victims of nursing home abuse and their families may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including the following:

• Medical expenses for treating injuries caused by abuse
• Pain and suffering due to physical and emotional trauma
• Lost quality of life because of the abuse experience
• Wrongful death compensation if abuse leads to death
• Punitive damages, which are meant to punish egregious behavior
• Costs of alternative care arrangements

The specific compensation available depends on the circumstances of each case, the severity of injuries, and the long-term consequences of the abuse. When you speak with a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer from D’Amico Pettinicchi, we can review the specifics of your case to determine the compensation you may be able to pursue.

How Long Do You Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Connecticut?

Connecticut law provides a two-year statutory deadline for nursing home abuse lawsuits. Generally speaking, the deadline begins from the date of the injury, or from when the resident or family member discovered the abuse. However, some circumstances can possibly modify this deadline, including:

• When a government entity owns the facility
• When the victim is mentally or physically incapacitated
• When the facility has concealed abuse

Contact an attorney immediately if you suspect potential abuse. This can help you avoid missing deadlines and forfeiting your opportunity to hold the wrongdoers accountable more easily.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect of Your Loved One?

Take the following steps to protect your loved one’s rights if you suspect they’re the target of abuse or neglect:

• Take photographs and write down notes of any signs of abuse.
• Report suspected abuse to local police and state agencies.
• Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries.
• Contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney.
• Consider relocating your loved one to a safer facility.
• Preserve all relevant documents and communication.

What Are the Rights for Patients at a Long-Term Care Center?

Connecticut law and federal regulations guarantee that nursing home residents have specific rights. These include:

• The right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• The right to their own privacy and dignity
• The right to participate in care planning decisions affecting them
• The right to receive visitors and communicate freely
• The right to voice complaints without retaliation
• The right to manage personal finances
• The right to receive adequate medical care

Understanding these rights helps families recognize when facilities are failing to meet their legal obligations.

Contact Our Connecticut Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today

Watching your loved one suffer abuse or neglect is among the most painful experiences imaginable. At D’Amico Pettinicchi, we have the experience, resources, and determination to hold negligent nursing homes accountable for their actions. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case. You pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your case.