Nursing homes should be safe places where your loved ones can enjoy their elderly years with constant, top-quality care. Nobody will ever imagine sexual abuse can happen in these institutions, ruining the perspective of nursing homes and leading you to seek justice for your loved one. At Phoenix Nursing Abuse Injury Law Firm, our experienced attorneys in nursing home sexual abuse understand that your trust is broken and rage is with you.
These cases are sensitive, and we want to be your companion to support the difficulties to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation; tell us your story, and we will build your case.
Understanding Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Forms of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
- Unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact
- Forced sexual acts
- Sexual harassment
- Inappropriate exposure to explicit materials
Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Who Is Most Likely to Become a Victim of Sexual Abuse in a Nursing Home?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), victims of sexual abuse in nursing homes are not random since a significant portion of the victims have disability or functional dependence, cognitive impairment, poor mental health, and low income. However, elderly residents whose families don’t visit frequently have a higher risk of suffering from abuse. In some cases, the dependence on caregivers can lead to sexual abuse of some kind, since in a recent post of the WHO, 2 in 3 staff members reported committing abuse in the past year.
Identifying Perpetrators of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Perpetrators of nursing home sexual abuse may be not only staff members but also other residents with a relationship dynamic that includes bully or any form of power over a vulnerable adult. Perpetrators can also be visitors with access to the facilities without limits. In each of these cases, the ones who want to abuse an elderly adult have plenty of knowledge of their action, making them responsible for any harm caused and all the legal consequences the victim’s family decides to take for the case.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
If you suspect your loved one suffered sexual abuse in nursing homes, we understand the growing need to seek justice; that’s why, at our Phoenix Nursing Abuse Injury Law Firm, we want to help you pursue compensation for all the harm caused in these facilities. Here are some steps you must follow if you wish to file a claim against the nursing home or perpetrator:
Seeking justice for nursing home sexual assault victims?
Our compassionate legal team can help you understand your rights.
Contact us for a discreet consultation!
Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
If your loved one experienced nursing home sexual assault, we understand how devastating it can be. However, at Phoenix Nursing Abuse Injury Law Firm, our specialized attorneys will help you in your legal journey to seek justice and obtain the compensation you deserve. Likewise, compensation requires calculation and expert eyes for details to include every type of compensation for your case. Some of the most common ones include:
- Medical cost:
anything related to medical bills, such as doctor visits, treatments, reports, etc. - Emotional Distress:
includes any intangible situation related to emotional or psychological toll such as depression, fear of caregivers, or any cognitive impairment developed from the sexual abuse in nursing homes. - Punitive Damages:
these charges are included inside the settlement for cases that reach the court, and a judge makes the final decision. - Loss of wages:
In some cases, you, your family, and your loved one may lose financial support due to the sexual abuse. - Loss of enjoyment:
in these situations, the victim may lose the ability to feel joy.
Speak With a Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you suspect your loved one suffered from nursing home sexual assault, we recommend you act immediately. At Nursing Abuse Injury Law Firm, our lawyers will assist you and help you during the legal process and beyond. These sensitive situations require moving fast to find the justice you’re seeking.
With more than 20 years of experience and thousands of successful cases, our lawyers will guide you to overcome this horrific and unthinkable situation.
Schedule your free consultation today!
FAQs:
Some examples of sexual abuse in nursing homes include non-consensual acts such as inappropriate touching, coerced nudity, sexual harassment, or exposure to explicit material. Moreover, other examples are rape and verbal degradation. In most cases, you will have a wide range of physical assaults like injuries, STDs, and emotional withdrawal.
In most cases that involve sexual abuse in nursing homes, elderly adults who experience these situations often endure lasting psychological trauma, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or severe trust issues. Moreover, physical effects include chronic pain, STDs, or worsened medical conditions. It’s common to find victims isolate themselves, fearing further harm. All of these effects will affect the quality of life of the victim.
The evidence you will need to prove your case requires medical records documenting injuries or infections, witness testimonies, and, if available, surveillance footage and nursing home staff reports. Some cases will require specific proof, like DNA tests. It’s essential to document changes in behavior or testimony from the victim. In other situations, you can provide photos or videos of the injuries with established specific timelines to prove liability.
Most lawyers for sexual abuse in nursing homes work on contingency. This means they won’t charge upfront fees; you don’t need to pay anything until you win the case. The charging is usually tied to the settlement; the rates swing between 33 to 40% of the settlement. Sometimes, the firm will cover additional costs, such as court fees or expert witnesses.
