When Nursing Home Abuse is Denied

Nursing home abuse is a tragic sin against the elderly.this information becomes equally as culpable as the
It is even more tragic when a victim of abuse orindividual who perpetrated the abuse, neglect, or the
neglect finds the courage to speak up and there iscase of medical malpractice.
no one there to help them. Often claims of abuse orCovering up incidents only leads to more incidents of
neglect are easy for them to deny for the simpleabuse, neglect, or medical malpractice. Every incident
matter that the elderly are more likely to lose someafter the initial incident reported becomes equal
of their mental capacity.responsibility of the staff member who did nothing
Abuse and neglect as well as outright medicalabout the initial report of abuse, neglect, or medical
malpractice often go unreported by staff membersmalpractice. A competent attorney can explain the
the elderly choose to confide in. This is due to theintricacies of the law relating to covering up and failing
staff member's fear that the entire nursing home willto report abuse cases.
lose credibility and the innocent employees will findIf there is a question to the mental capacity of the
themselves out of a job and facing legal trouble.residents making the report of the abuse, neglect, or
Innocent employees in doubt should contact amedical malpractice, it is still suitable and advisable to
reputable lawyer to discuss the situation in completeseek the council of a competent nursing home abuse
detail, as the lawyer can advise an innocentlawyer. Whether a resident makes a habit of
employee how to most effectively handle the abuse,reporting abuse that doesn't exist or is expressing a
neglect, or the medical malpractice occurrences. Itlegitimate concern, the nursing home employee is
takes a great deal of courage for an innocentlegally obligated to report it.
employee to seek out the advice of a lawyer andNobody wants to make waves or toss our
follow through on their direction.unfounded accusations at good and caring colleagues.
Residents are more likely to report abuse, neglect, orHowever, residents of a nursing home have so little
medical malpractice to an employee they like andpower, and almost no voice. Their need for safety
trust, and their faith is then placed in that individual toand security outweighs an uncomfortable moment
help resolve the situation. Too often the innocentexperienced by reporting abuse, neglect, or obvious
employee is willing to sweep the report under themedical malpractice.
rug. An employee at a facility that is charged with