AGGRESSIVE LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE

Our elderly loved ones must live with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind. They must be safe.

When we entrust our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers to the care of a nursing home, and supposed caregivers harm our family, we feel outraged. Sometimes, it is our own spouse whom we have carefully asked others to watch over and nurture, only to realize that our trust has been betrayed.

Frequently, people living in nursing facilities are helpless or frail. Their neglect or abuse must deliver real consequences; mistreatment of our treasured family members must be uncovered, disclosed, and punished.

At The Maddox Law Firm, we are a team of legal professionals who care deeply about advocating for and protecting people victimized by nursing home neglect and abuse – whether that mistreatment is a single act, traumatic event, or a tragically more subtle pattern.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE

The first step is recognizing that there is a problem. If you or an elderly loved one are experiencing any of the following, with the help of our attorneys, as well as our network of experts and clinicians, we will fight abuse and neglect in all its forms.

PHYSICAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Physical signs include bruising, welts, burns, lacerations, fractures, odor, weight loss, dehydration, malnourishment, pallor, sunken eyes and cheeks, hair loss in unexpected patterns, unexplained difficulty walking, sitting or sleeping, torn or missing clothes, and self-injurious behavior.

Environmental signs include excrement, plumbing/heating problems, copious trash, infestation, expired meds, absent/inadequate/spoiled food, and no telephone or emergency call system.

Caretaker signs include talking for your loved one, insistence on being always present, attitude of indifference or anger toward your loved one, never seeing the same health care provider more than once, delaying seeking needed medical attention, and conflicting histories offered for incidents.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Signs include ambivalence, deference, passivity, explicit or observed fear of the caregiver, withdrawal, depression, helplessness, hopelessness and resignation, anger, denial, nonresponsive behavior, anxiety, agitation, decompensations, sleeplessness, and self-soothing behaviors like sucking, biting, and rocking.

ABANDONMENT

Signs include desertion or willful forsaking of an elderly person by a caretaker or the foregoing of duties, withdrawal of or neglect of duties and obligations owed to an elder by a caretaker or other person, absent required equipment, inadequate/inappropriate administration of meds, and signs of confinement.

FINANCIAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Signs include sudden isolation from friends/family, change in lifestyle, increase in debt, loss of valuable possessions, recent acquaintances expressing excessive affection, caregiver seeking exchange of assets for care, unpaid bills, and uncashed and/or bounced checks.

HOW TO REPORT YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE

When you are responsible for an elderly loved one’s care, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed attempting to balance life’s obligations, tasks, and objectives. Often, people see subtle signs or have suspicions but assume the best; they give providers the benefit of the doubt. But if you suspect that your loved one is being abused, neglected, exploited, or abandoned by anyone, delayed action can have dire consequences.

Connecticut’s support system for elderly maltreatment includes Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) program, law enforcement, health and human services, and the court system. Do not let fear stop you from reporting what you know. You cannot be held liable in civil or criminal court when you make a report in good faith.

Department of Social Services Protective Services For The Elderly: 1-888-385-4225
After-hour Emergencies: 2-1-1
Out-of-state Calls: 1-800-203-1234

A W-675 Report Form can be completed and submitted in addition to calling. Click here to begin. Mailing Address: 55 Farmington Ave Hartford, CT 06105 Fax: 860-424-5091

INFORMATION ABOUT MANDATED REPORTERS

In Connecticut, if a “Mandated Reporter” fails to report concerns of mistreatment or neglect, it is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by state law. “Mandated Reporters” include:

• Licensed practical nurse, medical examiner, dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, social worker, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist, psychologist, or physical therapist.
• Resident physician or intern in any hospital.
• Registered nurse, nursing home administrator, nurse’s aide or orderly in a nursing home facility or residential care home.
• A person paid for caring for an elderly person by any institution, organization, agency, or facility (including but not limited to, any employee of a community-based services provider, senior center, home care agency, homemaker and companion agency, adult day care center, village-model community and congregate housing facility, a person licensed or certified as an emergency medical services provider (including any emergency medical services provider who is a member of a municipal fire department and driver of a paratransit vehicle).
• Residents’ advocate (other than a representative of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including State Ombudsman).

If you are a “Mandated Reporter” and the elder in question lives in a long-term care facility, you must complete the W-410 Report Form and fax it to the Social Work Division at 860-424-5091. Click here to begin.

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS AND LEGAL OPTIONS WITH AN ATTORNEY

Every day, people are injured by the negligence of others. Our loved ones must not be allowed to suffer at the hands of uncaring individuals. If you have concerns for yourself or an elderly loved one, contact The Maddox Law Firm to discuss them in a free consultation. Call us at (203) 822-6610 or reach out online.