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How to Prove Nursing Home Abuse

Suspecting that your loved one is being abused or taken advantage of by a caretaker is a situation that requires immediate action. If you’re asking yourself how to prove nursing home abuse, here are some important considerations to keep in mind. 

Investigating Suspected Nursing Home Abuse

No one ever imagines that the person to whom they entrusted their loved ones of advanced age could ever really do them harm. As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, nursing homes are bigger than ever, and sadly, despite the regulations that govern them, cases of nursing home abuse can also be expected to increase. 

It goes without saying that the protection of your loved one in a nursing home should take precedent above all other considerations. If you suspect abuse and have the financial means to make a move, consider alternate options for your loved one. 

Proving that someone is or has been a victim of abuse can help them. Documenting all incidents of abuse could enable your family to file a nursing home abuse claim in a civil court. These claims must be backed by solid evidence, however. Some ways to document nursing home abuse include: 

  • Photographing Evidence – Photo evidence can paint a compelling case in a legal proceeding of any kind. And although it’s probably unlikely you’ll get pictures of your loved one being abused, photos of things like bruises, broken bones, or other medical evidence can help. If your loved one is living in a poorly maintained or dangerous environment, take photos of that, too. 
  • Recording Your Loved One’s Statements of Abuse – If your loved one has told you that they’ve suffered abuse at the hands of a nursing home caretaker, ask them for details. When did the abuse happen? Who’s responsible? What was the result? Nailing down the facts, dates, and times of abuse can help build a case. 
  • Interview Other Witnesses – Your loved one might not be the only one who’s aware of the abuses they’re suffering. Start by asking other employees if they’ve noticed anything. Later, you can ask management if they’ve responded to prior incidents of abuse from the individual in question and what they’ve done to correct it. 

After compiling evidence, you can initiate a personal injury claim on behalf of your loved one for their abuses. Although the standard of proof is lower for civil claims compared to criminal trials, it will still be necessary to approve the abuse in order to be successful. 

Consulting a nursing home abuse lawyer in West Palm Beach can give you the best chance of winning the settlement your loved one deserves. 

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in West Palm Beach 

When you suspect nursing home abuse, your loved one deserves justice. At The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, we’re backed by experience you can rely on. 

Ready to contact a West Palm Beach nursing home lawyer from The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo? Call 561-659-6366 or fill out our contact form to speak to a lawyer.