A recent newspaper article on nursing home abuse and personal injury in Oregon stated the following: An investigation has found that the vast majority of people suspected of sexually attacking residents in one of the state’s 2,300 nursing homes, assisted-living centers or other long-term care facilities are never arrested or prosecuted. Unfortunately, the state rarely penalizes these facilities.
As a citizen and a personal injury lawyer, headlines like these are upsetting to read. But these stories also reiterate the important role that tort and personal injury attorneys play as a deterrent where the government has failed. While a significant financial penalty can be exacted from a negligent or abusive nursing home facility, this legal exposure can also be useful in encouraging nursing homes to be more careful or vigilant in the future.
Families must also remain alert and look for common signs of abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, there are some companies who are willing to cut corners, and in the process, sacrifice the health and safety of their residents for the sake of their financial bottom line. In times like these, contact a tort or personal injury lawyer for advice.