When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you expect your elderly family member will be kept safe from harm. However, elderly people are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Sadly, one of the forms of abuse our loved ones can face, especially in nursing homes, is sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can take the form of rape, sexual assault, unwanted touching of a sexual nature, forcible exposure for another’s sexual gratification, or being forced to watch others expose themselves. Sexual abuse of a nursing home resident can be committed by nursing home staffers and by other residents or visitors to the nursing home.
If you are coping with a disturbing situation like this, get legal help immediately. The nursing home abuse lawyers of Sumner Law Group, LLC, will work quickly to identify the responsible parties and demand justice on your loved one’s behalf. Your immediate action could prevent the same thing from happening to others.
Learn more about how we can help in a free and confidential consultation.
Signs of Sexual Assault
Victims of nursing home sexual assault can show these physical and behavioral signs:
- Pelvic injuries
- Problems walking or sitting
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Torn, stained, or bloodied underwear
- Bruising of the genitals and/or inner thighs
- Bleeding from the genitals or anus
- Irritation or pain from the genitals or anus
- Panic attacks
- Agitation, combativeness, or unusual emotional outbursts
- Withdrawal
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Engaging in inappropriate, aggressive, or unusual sexual behavior
- Unusual or inappropriate relationship behaviors between the victim and abuser
- Sudden onset of self-soothing behaviors such as rocking, sucking, biting, or mumbling
- Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts
- Reluctance to speak in the presence of certain people
- Fear of being left alone, or being left with certain people
What to Do If Your Loved One Has Been Assaulted
If you suspect that your loved one has been sexually assaulted in a nursing home, take these steps to protect them, as well as their legal rights and interests:
- Report suspected sexual assault or abuse to local law enforcement.
- Report the abuse of your loved one to the state’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline. You can call 1-800-392-0210 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. or file an online report on the Department of Health and Senior Services’ website. You can also file a report with the Division of Regulation and Licensure to initiate an investigation.
- Report sexual abuse or suspected abuse to the nursing home management.
- Document evidence of the abuse your loved one has suffered. If you are comfortable enough to do so, collect photographic evidence and get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Save all medical records.
How Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help
The St. Louis nursing home abuse lawyers of Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help you demand justice for your loved one by:
- Conducting our own thorough investigation of your case to recover all available evidence
- Protecting your loved one from further harm, including filing official reports with law enforcement and state regulators
- Helping you move your loved one to a new healthcare or nursing home facility or ensuring they are placed in a safer environment
Working with medical experts to develop a persuasive argument for the at-fault parties’ legal liability - Filing claims for compensation with the responsible parties and aggressively negotiating a settlement that provides your family with full and fair financial compensation
- Preparing your case to go to trial, if necessary, and using our firm’s litigation experience to advocate on your family’s behalf
With our firm, you can expect responsive communication and compassionate service throughout your case. We want you to feel comfortable and confident in pursuing the outcome that your loved one deserves.
Demanding Justice for Your Loved One
No amount of money can reverse the physical and emotional damage that is caused by sexual abuse. However, your family should not have to bear the financial burdens of recovery on your own. You deserve to receive some measure of accountability.
Compensation for nursing home sexual assault could include:
- Costs of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries or other medical procedures, or prescription medication
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
Depending on the circumstances, your loved one and your family might also be entitled to an award of punitive damages. Punitive awards are not intended to compensate for injuries, but instead to punish egregious behavior and deter others from similar conduct in the future.
Talk to a Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorney Now
If your loved one has been sexually abused or assaulted in a nursing home, call Sumner Law Group, LLC, right away. We will not tolerate the abuse of older adults, nor will we let this behavior go unpunished. Contact us to discuss your situation, and let us help you demand justice.
Get started now with a free case evaluation.
