Knoxville Physical Abuse Attorney
Physical abuse is a major form of abuse that takes place in Knoxville nursing homes. Disgruntled or sadistic employees can physically abuse residents behind closed doors without anyone knowing. Physical abuse can cause intense bodily and emotional injuries and, in extreme cases, might lead to death. Michael Brezina, III is a seasoned Knoxville physical abuse attorney who holds nursing homes legally accountable for injured residents. Contact his law firm today to learn more about what steps you should take if you suspect abuse.
Examples of Physical Abuse
Generally, physical abuse involves any inappropriate physical touching of a resident. Some of the more common types of abuse include:
- Punching
- Hitting
- Slapping
- Pinching
- Pushing
- Suffocating
- Choking
- Kicking
- Tripping
- Shoving
Some abuse happens a single time, while other employees engage in a reign of terror against the residents in their care. Regardless of how often it occurs, even one instance of physical abuse is inappropriate.
Physical Abuse Causes Serious Bodily Injuries
Needless to say, our elderly loved ones are more vulnerable to bodily injury when they are attacked. They can suffer permanent, life-changing injuries. Others might seem to suffer only a minor injury which nevertheless doesn’t heal quickly. In fact, one small bodily injury can snowball into multiple, systemic problems. Before you know it, they are in the hospital on life support.
Physical abuse can cause:
- Fractures
- Concussions
- Head injuries
- Contusions
- Back injuries
- Cuts or lacerations
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Coma
Signs of Physical Abuse
Unlike other types of abuse, physical abuse often leaves some mark on the body, such as a bruise, fracture, cut, or burn. Still, the nursing home might have a ready excuse—she bruises easily, she walked into a door, she fell getting out of bed, etc. Given a resident’s advanced age, we can’t immediately disbelieve these explanations. Nevertheless, additional investigation is warranted.
Many residents who suffer physical abuse will not admit to it. They might be embarrassed at how vulnerable they are, or they could fear retaliation. If an orderly or nurse regularly pinches a resident, they might escalate their attacks if they find out the resident complained. For these reasons, many of our loved ones stay silent.
Concerned family members often don’t suspect anything is wrong until they receive a phone call out of the blue saying their loved one is in the hospital with a fracture or head injury. At that point, they might suspect something is wrong but are nervous at making an unfounded allegation. Reach out to an attorney to discuss. Michael Brezina has seen many cases of abuse and can speak to the nursing home for you if that makes you more comfortable.
Holding Nursing Homes Accountable
Although a staff member committed the assault, nursing homes are in many cases legally liable for their employee’s conduct. Some nursing homes are negligent with how they hire, train, or supervise staff. Some nursing homes never investigate suspected abuse even when there are good reasons to.
Contact Atkins Brezina, PLLC immediately if you suspect a loved one has been hurt intentionally in a nursing home setting. We can review your legal options, including a lawsuit.
