It’s easy to associate nursing home abuse with physical battery. However, abuse takes many forms including sexual assault, financial exploitation and neglect.
Verbal abuse is also common in nursing homes, and it can have severe psychological impacts. Unfortunately, many cases go unreported.
If you or a family member was mistreated at a nursing home in Nevada, contact The Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman is a personal-injury attorney in Las Vegas who will help you put a stop to the abuse and pursue compensation for medical bills and other damages.
Mr. Truman has been practicing law for more than 25 years, and he knows how to find success in court. Call 702-821-1821 today to schedule a free consultation.
Do Verbal Insults Constitute Nursing Home Abuse?
According to the National Institutes of Health, there is some disagreement about whether verbal or psychological abuse is grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the verbal abuse is intentional and causes anguish, pain or distress, then the victim may have grounds for a claim.
Verbal abuse takes many forms including harassment, threats, intimidation and ongoing humiliation. Nurses and caretakers who yell, make rude remarks, accuse or wrongfully blame residents may be guilty of verbal abuse.
Impacts of Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse can have severe psychological consequences for the victim. Many nursing home residents are frail and emotionally vulnerable. They often face depression due to a lack of independence, and verbal abuse compounds the emotional distress. Some studies link stress and mental anguish to weakened immune systems and medical complications.
Signs of Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is usually more difficult to identify than physical abuse. If your loved one is in a nursing home, you should be concerned if you notice:
- Unexplained withdrawal from social activities;
- Low self-esteem;
- Inability to make eye contact;
- Unexplained mood swings;
- Signs of fear;
- Anger and aggression;
- Changes in eating habits; or
- Abnormal sleep patterns.
Although there are several reasons why an individual could display these symptoms, they often indicate that a resident has endured intimidation, threats or other forms of verbal abuse.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Nevada
If you, your loved one or another resident has been abused, neglected or otherwise mistreated in a nursing home, contact the Elder Rights Intake unit at 702-486-6930. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the police.
You should also consult an injury attorney to find out if you have grounds for a claim against the at-fault staff member or facility. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages.
If the incident happened in Nevada, contact a Las Vegas personal-injury lawyer from The Truman Law Firm P.C. Ronald W. Truman has the highest legal rating offered by Martindale-Hubbell — an AV Preeminent rating (5.0 out of 5.0). He graduated top 10 percent of his class from Brigham Young University. Call 702-821-1821 to schedule a free consultation.
