There are over three million adults living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in the United States. While many of these elders are well-cared for, many others are the victims of abuse. Elder abuse, particularly when it involves a patient in a residential care facility, can be difficult to detect. In addition, for every reported case of abuse, more than five cases go unreported.
Nursing home abuse is a serious concern and seniors who have been abused have a 300 percent greater chance of dying in the 3 years following the abuse than those who aren’t abused. Up to 1 in 6 nursing home residents may be the victim of abuse or neglect every year. Though many residents are well-cared for, the abuse continues to be more prevalent than most people believe and over three-fourths of the cases of nursing home abuse are perpetrated by caregivers.
A Congressional Report recently stated that an examination of nursing home records conducted over a two-year period showed that nearly 1 in 3 nursing homes were cited for violations that had the potential to cause harm and that almost 10 percent of all nursing homes have violations that caused actual harm, serious injury or placed residents in jeopardy of death. A survey of nursing home residents showed that up to 44 percent reported that they had been abused at some time in their residency and nearly all of those surveyed had seen another resident neglected.
A study conducted by the U.S. General Accountability Office (“GAO”) revealed that state regulators are likely to miss signs of abuse. The GAO found that 70 percent of state surveys missed significant deficiencies and 15% missed notice of actual harm or immediate jeopardy of a nursing home resident.
If you or a loved one of yours has been injured or was a victim of nursing home abuse, it is critical that you don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of the expert Boston nursing home abuse lawyers here at the Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates. We can be reached 24/7 by phone at 617-787-3700 or by email at info@gilhoylaw.com. Contact us today for your free and confidential consultation. Your needs are our top priority!
