Sexual abuse can happen to anyone. However, nursing home residents are exceptionally vulnerable to abuse, often because of their dependence on others and the nursing home environment.
Suppose you or your loved one has experienced sexual abuse in a nursing home. In that case, you may be able to recover compensation. An Annapolis nursing home sexual abuse attorney from Brown & Barron is ready to help you with your case.
Do you suspect that your loved one experienced sexual abuse? In that case, you have options you can pursue, including seeking compensation through the legal system.
Get in touch with a nursing home sexual abuse lawyer serving Annapolis, (410) 547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
Risk Factors for Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, so understanding the risk is essential. That’s because residents often must rely on others for some help with eating, walking, toileting, bathing, or other activities of daily living.
Their needs and dependence can increase the risk of sexual abuse. For example, some nursing home residents have cognitive decline or impairment, putting them at increased risk because they might be unable to understand, remember, or explain the abuse effectively. In addition, they may fear people won’t believe them because of their cognitive impairment.
Another risk factor is social isolation. Nursing home residents with little social interaction might crave the attention that an abuser could exploit. So, recognizing that your loved one may be at risk for sexual abuse can help you watch for signs of it.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Signs of sexual abuse will be slightly different for each person. It’s important to be on the lookout for the following signs, which can help you report abuse and get your loved one help:
- Bruises or injuries in the genital area
- Difficulty sitting or walking due to genital area injuries
- Acting anxious or nervous around specific staff members
- Torn clothing
- Newly acquired sexually transmitted diseases
How Can a Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorney Help Me?
Sometimes, sexual abuse cases result in criminal investigations and charges. For example, a nursing home worker might face fines or jail time following a conviction. However, you and your loved one also have the option to pursue compensation in civil court.
Our firm’s nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers understand the laws and regulations that will apply to your case. When you consult with Brown & Barron, we will carefully go over what happened in your or your loved one’s situation. Then, based on the evidence, we will work to determine who is responsible for the abuse and the legal options you have available to you.
Can I Afford a Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyer?
The legal team at Brown & Barron uses acontingency fee structure. So, we will only charge you for our services if we help you recover compensation. If you recover compensation, we take a percentage of the amount you recover to cover your legal fees and expenses. When you consult with our firm, we can discuss how our fee structure works and answer any questions you might have.
Compensation in Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Cases
The exact amount you could recover in compensation will depend on your or your loved one’s unique situation. Similar to other personal injury cases, you may be able to receive compensation for damages like medical bills related to treatment after the abuse. In addition, you or your loved one may also recover compensation for emotional and psychological damages, such as pain and suffering that occurred because of the abuse.
Once we can review the facts of your case more thoroughly, we can give you a general estimate of how much you may be able to receive in compensation.
Get a Free Consultation Today
Our team at Brown & Barron is ready to help you get the justice and compensation your family deserves after a loved one suffered sexual abuse at their nursing home.
You do not have to handle the immense fallout on your own. Instead, we will fight for you and keep you updated every step of the way. So, you can contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
What Steps Should I Take if My Loved One Experienced Sexual Abuse at Their Nursing Home?
Your loved one’s health and safety are always the priority. If your loved one is in immediate danger, you should contact law enforcement to get your loved one to safety.In addition, you could contact one of several Maryland agencies tasked with investigating nursing home abuse and neglect cases:
- Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Office of Health Care Quality
- Maryland Department of Aging
- Maryland Adult Protective Services
Your family member or loved one may need to relocate to another nursing home to ensure their safety.
If you choose to pursue compensation for damages, you might want to solicit help from a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Seeking legal help early in the process can ensure that no evidence is hidden, witnesses have fresh memories, and you don’t miss any deadlines for filing your claim.
What Our Clients Have to Say
We serve nursing home abuse and neglect victims throughout Maryland, including Annapolis.Here are whatour clientshave had to say after working with us:
- “After a two year process my case is resolved. I would like to commend and highly recommend Mr. Chris Casciano for his diligence, attention to detail and support for myself and my family. Working with this law firm gave me confidence and comfort during an emotional and difficult time. Thank you so very much.” — A.L.
- “Words cannot express how thankful I am to Brown & Barron for settling my Mom’s nursing home neglect case…They were amazing, keeping us to date with everything going on. They treated us like family. We were truly blessed to have them represent us. I highly recommend them to anyone dealing with nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect.” — Natastsha H.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a nursing home sexual abuse lawyer serving Annapolis.