Resident-On-Resident Abuse
Resident-on-Resident Abuse in KS & MO Nursing Homes
Was Your Elderly Loved One Attacked or Abused by Another Nursing Home Resident?
Resident-on-resident abuse is a serious problem in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other senior care communities. When residents are injured by other residents, the facilities may attempt to cover up the abuse or otherwise shirk their responsibility to keep residents safe. We are committed to holding these facilities accountable and helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve.
Our Kansas City resident-on-resident nursing home abuse attorneys at the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., LLC know how to investigate abuse claims and build strong cases that hold negligent parties responsible.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of resident-on-resident abuse in a nursing home, we invite you to contact our firm online or call us at 816-708-0524 for a free consultation.
Examples of Resident-to-Resident Nursing Home Abuse
Many people assume that only the most vulnerable residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other senior care communities are at risk for attacks from abusive nursing home residents. However, anyone who lives in one of these facilities is at risk for abuse, including those with cognitive disabilities, those who are unable to communicate due to a physical disability, and those who are unable to defend themselves. Examples of resident-on-resident abuse include:
- Physical abuse, including hitting, kicking, slapping, and more.
- Sexual abuse, including unwanted touching, rape, and more.
- Emotional abuse, including name-calling, threats, and more.
- Financial abuse, including stealing money or property.
- Harassment, including threats, stalking, and more.
Can I Sue a Nursing Home If I Was Attacked by Another Resident?
Yes. Nursing homes have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for their residents. If a nursing home fails to prevent or appropriately address resident-on-resident abuse, the facility may be held liable for negligence. Negligence may involve inadequate staff training, insufficient supervision, or a failure to take appropriate measures to prevent and address abusive behavior. If resident-on-resident abuse occurs in a nursing home, affected individuals or their families may choose to pursue legal action against the facility. Consult with our team at the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., LLC to assess the specific circumstances of your case and determine the appropriate course of action. Here are some considerations:
- Failure to Monitor Residents: Nursing homes are responsible for assessing the needs and behaviors of residents to identify any potential risks, including those related to aggression or abuse. Failure to monitor residents adequately could contribute to an environment where abuse is more likely to occur.
- Inadequate Security Measures: If a nursing home fails to implement reasonable security measures to prevent resident-on-resident abuse, such as separating residents with a history of violent behavior, the facility may be deemed negligent.
- Inadequate Response to Complaints: If a nursing home is aware of complaints or reports of resident-on-resident abuse and fails to take prompt and appropriate action, the facility may be held liable for negligence. This includes conducting investigations, implementing preventive measures, and addressing the needs of affected residents.
- Violations of Regulations: Nursing homes are subject to state and federal regulations that outline standards for resident care and safety. Violations of these regulations can result in legal consequences, including fines and potential liability in civil actions.
Common Causes of Resident-on-Resident Abuse
Resident-on-resident abuse in nursing homes refers to instances where one resident of a nursing home inflicts harm, abuse, or mistreatment upon another resident within the same facility. Several factors may contribute to the occurrence of resident-on-resident abuse in nursing homes:
If the nursing home is understaffed, caregivers may struggle to adequately supervise residents, increasing the likelihood of abusive situations going unnoticed.
Insufficient training for staff in recognizing and managing aggressive behavior or conflicts between residents can contribute to abusive situations.
Many residents in nursing homes may suffer from cognitive conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. These conditions can lead to disorientation, confusion, and behavioral issues that may result in abusive behavior.
Residents in nursing homes often live in close quarters with little privacy, which can escalate tensions and conflicts among them.
Sometimes, staff members may fail to intervene or report abusive incidents promptly due to fear of retaliation, lack of awareness, or neglect.
Why Should You Contact Our Firm?
The nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other senior care communities where resident-on-resident abuse occurs have a powerful incentive to cover up the abuse. These facilities know that abuse is a major problem in senior care communities and that their facilities are at risk for lawsuits. That is why our Kansas City resident-on-resident nursing home abuse attorneys know that the key to a successful case is a thorough investigation.
Our team will investigate your claim by interviewing you and your loved ones, reviewing medical records, reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing video footage. We also work with experts in the fields of geriatrics, gerontology, and psychology to ensure that we have the most comprehensive understanding of the impact that resident-on-resident abuse has on victims.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of resident-to-resident abuse in a nursing home, the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., LLC is here to help. Our firm is committed to holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. We know how to investigate abuse claims and build strong cases that hold negligent parties responsible.
If you have questions about how we can help you, please contact us online or call us at 816-708-0524 to request a free case review.