Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a frightening problem in Kentucky and across the nation. Abuse and neglect can rob patients of their health, dignity, and sometimes even their lives. That is certainly a violation of federal and Kentucky state laws. But it is also a betrayal of trust that can never fully be restored for victims and their families.
According to 2010 census data, there are 578,227 people in Kentucky over the age of 65, a 14.5% increase from 10 years earlier. They join 39.6 million other older Americans who may eventually be placed in nursing homes due to declining health and an inability to manage their own affairs. All of them are at risk for abuse and neglect at facilities that fail to responsibly monitor their physical and mental well-being despite a professional obligation to do so.
The nursing home abuse lawyers at Hughes & Coleman cannot reverse the damage inflicted on nursing home residents, but they can make sure that negligent facilities are held liable for the actions or in-actions that caused harm to you or a loved one. With offices in Bowling Green, Lexington, Elizabethtown and Louisville, the law firm can help victims of nursing home abuse recover compensation for their injuries to pay for medical expenses, psychological treatment, and pain and suffering, among other losses.
Call us toll free at 866-280-4609 or complete a free online consultation form today.
We serve clients in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Louisville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Clarksville and Gallatin.
About Nursing Home Abuse
It is difficult to know how many people are victims of nursing home abuse nationwide. Many elders are too scared or are unable to tell someone that they are being mistreated. One study reports that 11% of older people living in community settings experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect over a one-year period, according to the National Health Policy Forum.
Tens of thousands of suspected cases of nursing home abuse are lodged with the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services each year, and a recent series in the Lexington Herald-Leader pinpointed numerous cases of physical abuse, neglect and financial fraud in nursing homes throughout the state.
Recognizing how widespread the problem of nursing home abuse has become, federal and state lawmakers have passed legislation to address the regulation of nursing homes and how to protect residents from harm. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Elder Justice Act, the first comprehensive national law to address the epidemic of nursing home abuse. He also signed the Patient Safety Abuse Prevention Act to develop a national background check system to prevent people with criminal histories from working in nursing homes.
In Kentucky, the state’s nursing home abuse statute (KRS Chapter 209) requires individuals who suspect any form of abuse in long-term care facilities to report it immediately. The law also created an elder abuse committee comprised of representatives from various state agencies to develop a protocol for prevention and intervention in nursing home abuse cases. In addition, it spells out the required protocol for investigation of all suspected cases of abuse and how the courts may intervene in emergency situations. Other state laws oversee the licensing of agencies that provide health care or health services to older adults and the types of penalties that may be issued when violations are found.
You can learn more about nursing home abuse and how a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney can help if you or someone you love has been a victim of nursing home abuse by viewing our other pages:
- What To Look For: Here, you will find detailed information about the typical signs of nursing home abuse. Remember, Kentucky is a mandatory reporting state. If you suspect elder abuse, report it.
- The Kentucky Epidemic: Learn more about the tragic reports of nursing home abuse in the state in recent years.
- Filing a Complaint: A step-by-step guide on how to make a nursing home abuse claim.
- Your Legal Options: A nursing home attorney can help you understand the various laws that are relevant to your nursing home abuse claim, explain how to take action against the negligent facility, and detail what types of compensation you may be entitled to.
Have You Been Victimized In A Kentucky Nursing Home? Contact Our Attorneys Today
The lawyers at Hughes & Coleman provide aggressive yet sensitive legal representation to victims of nursing home abuse. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims obtain compensation so they can continue to recover their quality of life. Our law firm can be reached by calling 866-280-4609 or by filling out our online form for a free consultation.
