If you believe that your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse or negligence, Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. is here to fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a Maine personal injury lawyer. Initial consultations are completely free and confidential.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Maine
Tirelessly Advocating for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
When you entrust a nursing home, senior living community, assisted living facility, or the like to care for your loved one, it is done under the pretense that they will be well looked after — but nursing home abuse and neglect is all too common. Fortunately, there is legal recourse available to the victims of abuse/neglect and their families.
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. can help you navigate the path to justice through a legal claim. We will assist you in building your case, uncovering evidence to prove it, and ensuring all paperwork is properly filled out and submitted. If needed, we are also fully prepared to take your case to trial.
With decades of collective experience, our team will not back down from a legal fight, no matter how complex the case seems. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients and are acclaimed throughout the nation for our success in representing Maine residents victimized by negligence. If you are seeking effective representation, we want to hear from you.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any type of mistreatment committed by a caretaker or other facility/management staffer against a resident of a long-term care facility. It includes intentional and negligent acts that lead to various forms of injury.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), this abuse is very common in the United States and often manifests itself in the following ways:
- Physical abuse: any intentional infliction of physical harm, such as hitting, pushing, burning, kicking, and punching.
- Sexual abuse: any nonconsensual sexual act or touching forced upon a person, including any sexual act that the victim is demanded to perform under duress and/or coercion.
- Psychological/emotional abuse: when a resident is harassed, bullied, threatened, belittled, or subjected to another form of verbal or nonverbal abuse meant to inflict mental anguish, fear, and/or emotional pain.
- Financial abuse: when a caretaker or other staff member illegally or improperly uses a resident’s money, assets, or belongings.
- Neglect: the failure to meet a resident’s basic needs, such as failing to provide proper meals, bathing them irregularly, or not giving them the medical care they require.
How to Recognize the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Since your loved one is constantly in another’s care without you present, you may suspect that they have suffered abuse or neglect but may not know how to prove it.
A few common signs to watch out for that could serve as evidence of mistreatment include:
- Poor hygiene
- Bed sores
- Dehydration
- Infections
- Malnutrition
- Repeated elopement
- Rapid changes in weight
- Unusual financial activity
- Mysterious bruises, scars, or cuts
- Severe injuries with a suspicious cause
- Increased preference for isolation
- Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
- Visible tension between your loved one and the staff
It is also vitally important to listen to what your loved one has to say about their situation. Sadly, sometimes residents are ignored when they try to report abuse/neglect.
The Root of the Problem
Much of the abuse and neglect that occurs at nursing homes and senior living facilities can be attributed to staff shortages, the stress of the job, and poor staff training, but this does not in any way make the crime justifiable. It is crucial to take immediate action regarding the abuse or neglect of your loved one to ensure that they, and other residents, are protected from future harm.
Pursuing Justice Through a Legal Claim
A legal claim regarding nursing home abuse and/or neglect must be brought forth within the statute of limitations. Any claim filed after this deadline will be considered invalid, and justice will be out of reach. Thankfully, Maine is one of the friendliest states for civil court plaintiffs, as its lengthy six-year statute of limitations leaves plenty of time for your attorney to build a strong case.
Don’t waste time by waiting to contact a nursing home abuse attorney, however. The sooner you begin your claim, the sooner you can hold the abusers accountable for their actions.
You may also be able to recover compensation for any damages that incurred as a result of the abuse, such as:
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Emotional distress;
- Medical expenses;
- Therapy and psychological services;
- Reduced quality or enjoyment of life;
- And other financial losses.
Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.’s lawyers have worked on myriad nursing home abuse cases and have successfully resolved many of them in favor of our clients. We are dedicated to protecting senior citizens from staff, facilities, and institutions that prefer to pad their pockets instead of caring for one of our most vulnerable populations. Let us fight for your rights and the rights of your loved ones.
