All kinds of elder abuse are shameful no matter what. Elders are some of the most vulnerable people in the U.S. population, which makes them particularly susceptible to abuse of all types.
Most nursing home abuse falls into one of the following categories:
- Physical,
- Psychological,
- Sexual,
- Financial, and
- Neglect.
Trust Your Instincts
If Something Feels Wrong, You Deserve to Be Heard
Worrying about a parent or grandparent in someone else’s care is heavy, and second-guessing yourself is natural. You don’t need proof to reach out. Our Kansas City team will listen, help you make sense of what you’re seeing, and explain your family’s options at a pace that feels right.
Schedule A Free ConsultationWhile most nursing homes do everything possible to keep residents safe and comfortable, there are outliers that don’t treat all residents with the dignity and respect they deserve.
We feel strongly that these negligent facilities should be held accountable for their wrongdoing.
To demonstrate just how bad the mistreatment can get, we’ve gathered five of the most disturbing nursing home abuse stories.
If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse and neglect in a nursing home, a nursing home negligence lawyer in Kansas City is ready to fight for your family. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.
Key Takeaways
What These Nursing Home Abuse Stories Teach Kansas City Families
Each of these nursing home abuse stories involves a vulnerable resident who depended on others for care. Here is what families in Kansas City and across Kansas should take away from them.
- Abuse takes more than one form. Most nursing home abuse falls into five categories: physical, psychological, sexual, financial, and neglect, and a resident can experience more than one at the same time.
- Neglect can be just as deadly as violence. In one case, a resident went four to five days without fluids, and the facility was later fined $77,463 for deficiencies in care.
- Abuse often goes unreported. Residents who cannot speak may be unable to tell anyone, and staff who witness mistreatment may stay silent out of fear, as happened for five days in one New Jersey facility.
- You don’t need proof to take the first step. If you suspect your loved one is being harmed, a Kansas City nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate what happened and help hold a negligent facility accountable.
Nursing Home Abuse Stories
#1 – Sexual Exploitation
An 83-year-old woman in a Minneapolis care facility was violated by a male caregiver in 2014. The patient was unable to speak, which made it challenging for her to report the abuse she endured.
The perpetrator was sentenced to eight years in prison for his actions.
“I still feel the guilt of not being able to take care of her myself and having to entrust her care to others only to have her subjected to this unthinkable assault,” her daughter said.
See what our clients have to say about our services:
#2 – Severe Neglect
A woman in an Iowa nursing home lost her life as a result of severe neglect. She was hospitalized when an overnight nurse reported that the resident was moaning around 3 a.m.
When she arrived at the hospital, an emergency room physician explained to her daughter that she was extremely dehydrated and had probably suffered a stroke. The physician stated that the resident went without water or any type of fluids for at least four or five days.
The facility was fined $77,463 for deficiencies in care.
Do you suspect your loved one was abused in a nursing home? Don’t wait – reach out to us to get answers in a no-cost consultation.
#3 – Physical Abuse
A patient in a New Jersey nursing facility was a victim of physical force when the disoriented resident refused to get up from the toilet. In order to make the resident stand up, an abusive certified nurse aide (CNA) “began to pull the resident’s hair and pull the nipple on the resident’s breast to get the resident to stand up,” according to inspectors.
The incident went unreported for five days because the aide who witnessed the abuse was afraid to speak out.
#4 – Negligent Homicide
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana hard. A mandatory evacuation order was issued in order to keep Louisiana residents safe.
Many nursing homes in the region evacuated residents, but one nursing facility decided not to. The facility stated they were afraid moving the residents would put them at risk since the owners were confident that the nursing home was safe on high ground.
When the levees broke, floodwaters rushed in, drowning 35 residents, most of whom were still in their hospital beds or wheelchairs.
The owners of the facility were ultimately tried on 35 counts of negligent homicide and 24 counts of cruelty to the elderly.
We’re Here When You’re Ready
Your Loved One’s Safety Is Worth a Conversation
Choosing a nursing home is an act of trust, and it is painful to wonder whether that trust was broken. Whether you have noticed small changes or something more serious, our team will hear you out, answer your questions honestly, and help you decide what to do next, with no pressure.
Schedule A Free Consultation#5 – Multiple Acts of Sexual Abuse
In North Carolina, a male caregiver was accused of sexually abusing six women in three facilities in the region throughout the course of two decades. The victims were all in their 50s to 80s and suffered from long-term debilitating ailments.
The perpetrator was found guilty on two counts of forcible rape, one count of forcible sex, and three counts of sexual activity by a custodian. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nursing Home Abuse Questions Kansas City Families Ask
Most nursing home abuse falls into five categories: physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, and neglect. These categories can overlap, and a single resident may experience several at once. Neglect, such as failing to provide food, water, or basic care, can be just as harmful as direct physical abuse.
Many victims cannot report it themselves. Residents with limited speech, memory loss, or serious illness may be unable to describe what happened. Staff who witness abuse may also stay silent out of fear of retaliation. That is why families often need to watch closely and ask questions when something seems wrong.
Yes, facilities can face consequences when their care falls short. In the cases on this page, a nursing home was fined for deficiencies in care, and facility owners faced criminal charges after residents died. A civil claim can also seek to hold a negligent facility accountable for the harm a resident suffered.
No. You don’t have to prove abuse is happening before you reach out. If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated or neglected, a Kansas City nursing home abuse lawyer can review what you have noticed, investigate the facility, and help determine whether your family has a case.
Our team handles nursing home abuse cases throughout the Kansas City area, including Blue Springs, Raymore, Raytown, Independence, Liberty, Olathe, Mission, and Lenexa, as well as across the state of Kansas. Consultations are free, so families can get answers without any upfront cost.
Suspect Your Loved One Has Endured Abuse in a Nursing Home? Take Action Today
If your loved one is in a nursing home, and you fear they are suffering abuse, it’s critical that you obtain legal representation right away.
You don’t have to prove that the abuse is occurring, you can leave that to us. Don’t delay—contact us right away with the details of your case.
Call Dempsey Kingsland Osteen today at (816) 484-3776 or reach out to us online for a free consultation regarding your case.
We handle cases in Kansas City, Blue Springs, Raymore, Raytown, Independence, Liberty, Olathe, Mission, Lenexa, as well as the state of Kansas.
Serving Kansas City
Nursing Home Abuse Help Serving Kansas City Families
When a loved one is harmed in a nursing home, families across Kansas City and Kansas turn to our office for answers and accountability. Use the map below to find us, then reach out to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
