There are many types of nursing home abuse, including financial abuse, neglect, physical abuse, and much more. But what about verbal abuse? Although this might not seem as serious as other acts of misconduct, it can be detrimental for innocent patients who are just trying to live out their lives. The truth is that verbal and emotional abuse is a perfectly legitimate form of abuse, and it is completely illegal in many cases. Elderly patients have the right to live in a stress-free environment while being treated with respect and dignity.
So what happens if you discover that your senior loved one is being abused at a nursing home in Chicago? What kinds of steps can you take? Is it true that you can sue a nursing home for simply verbally abusing your family member? These are all important questions, and they’re probably best left answered by a legal professional.
The most obvious step is to get in touch with a qualfied, experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago. These legal professionals can help you strive for the best possible outcome in a highly efficient manner. During your initial consultation, you can explain your suspicions and your observations in detail. Your attorney can then help you with virtually all aspects of your lawsuit, including gathering evidence, negotiating for a settlement, and representing you in court if necessary. Due to the statute of limitations, it’s best to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. If you fail to do this, you may lose the ability to sue altogether.
Why Verbal Abuse is So Serious
Verbal abuse falls under the general category of emotional abuse (1). And although emotional abuse might not always be physical, it has the potential to be just as harmful – perhaps more so under certain circumstances. This is because while physical wounds may heal over time, victims may never truly recover from certain mental scars. Psychological issues are difficult to deal with, causing memories that haunt victims for the rest of their lives.
Seniors may be especially vulnerable to emotional abuse for a number of reasons. Firstly, they may feel weak and vulnerable due to their old age, and they may feel frightened when verbally abused because they know they’re not really strong enough to do anything about it. Seniors may also be vulnerable due to cognitive decline – especially if they’re suffering from something like Alzheimer’s or dementia. Seniors are prone to becoming confused, making them prime targets for abusers who like to gaslight people.
Proving Verbal Abuse
Because verbal abuse leaves no physical injuries, it can be difficult to prove. This is why it’s so important to get in touch with a qualified, experienced nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. With help from one of these attorneys, you can gather evidence in an efficient manner, proving that this verbal and emotional abuse actually occurred.
Illinois is one of 10 states that allow family members to install private surveillance cameras in nursing home rooms (2). This means that if you’re serious about capturing evidence of verbal and emotional abuse (or any other type of abuse for that matter), you can place a so-called “granny cam” in your senior’s room in an attempt to capture the abusers on tape.
Due to Illinois’ laws, you do not need permission from the nursing home in order to install one of these cameras. Of course, you should probably ask permission from your senior before you install a camera inside their room.
Damages Associated with Verbal Abuse
The goal of any personal injury lawsuit is to recover compensation to pay for damages. But what kinds of damages are caused by verbal or emotional abuse? In order to answer this question, you may need to have your elderly loved one assessed by a mental health professional. They mave developed PTSD, depression, or anxiety due to the abuse they have been forced to endure. You can recover compensation for these damages.
Where Can I Find a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Near Me?
If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago, look no further than Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. We know that verbal abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse under certain circumstances, and we’re ready to help your senior loved one fight for their rights in an effective manner. Remember, internet research can only get you so far. In order to take decisive action, you’ll need to take that crucial first step and book a consultation. From there, you can leave the heavy lifting to your attorneys and strive for the best possible results. Reach out today to get started.
Sources
- https://www.nursinghomeabuseguide.org/verbal-abuse
- https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3673&ChapterID=21
Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.
(312) 384-1920
221 North LaSalle, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601
If you have further questions about this article or legal concerns call 800-672-3103.
