Latest Case Shows Need for Milwaukee Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Staff, owner, faces charges related to nursing home abuse
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.
Alzheimer’s patients frequently fall victim to abuse as those working at nursing homes know these patients are usually unable to defend themselves and will most likely not remember the abuse in order to report it. In some cases, this means nursing home resident’s end up emotionally and physically abused without anyone even knowing it.
This appears to be what was happening at one nursing home facility that caters to Alzheimer’s patients. Of the current and former employees of the nursing home, 21 employees — including the owner — are facing criminal charges related to allegedly abusing the residents.
The abuse these employees are accused of ranges from double diapering patients to avoid having to change their diapers as often and throwing water on the patients. Other residents were also reportedly hit by the employees and physically restrained with bed sheets.
While one would hope this type of abuse is isolated, a 2012 Congressional report found patients suffer from abuse in one out of every three nursing homes in the U.S. Additionally, in a national survey of nursing home staff, roughly half admitted to mistreating patients within the last year.
In hearing of any type of abuse it is important to remember that people who are living in nursing homes are typically there in order to get the care they need. Those who take advantage of this need, and abuse such a vulnerable population, should be held accountable. This can be done not only through criminal charges, but families can also file lawsuits in order to recover compensation for the abuse their loved ones were forced to endure.
A Milwaukee personal injury attorney with experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Wisconsin can answer questions and provide legal options.
Source: Reuters, “Nursing home staff face charges in abuse of elderly patients,” July 2, 2013