One of the hardest decisions a person can make is to put a loved one in a nursing home. However, that is sometimes the best course of action. You should never have to worry about the staff of a nursing home causing harm to a loved one. Unfortunately, incidents of abuse and neglect in these homes are common. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our Seattle nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to help you and your family. If your loved one has been the victim of abuse, let us help you through this.
A case that highlights the worst in area nursing homes
Earlier this year, it was discovered that a man who worked in an area nursing home sexually assaulted a resident. 29-year-old Nshimiyiana O Hamzat was charged in the King County Superior Court with first-degree rape, second-degree rape, and indecent liberties.
Authorities say that the alleged incidents took place between June 1 and July 3, 2019 at a North Seattle assisted living facility. Hamzat worked at the facility as a care provider to several vulnerable adults. The victim in this case, a 50-year-old woman, complained to her family that she was being assaulted. The family member called the police to report the incident and also set up a camera in the woman’s room.
What prosecutors found on the video is disturbing. “The camera captured the defendant sexually assaulting her twice a day, on two different days. The videos did not capture the totality of the sexual abuse the victim suffered at the hands of the defendant,” prosecutors wrote in their report.
How common is this?
Nursing home abuse is vastly underreported and understudied in the US. However, incidents like this, and others that happen on a daily basis, show that many workers prey on the elderly and vulnerable. In a nursing home, residents can experience a range of abuse. In this case, the sexual abuse may have been happening for months. Sexual abuse is one of the most unthinkable forms of abuse that can happen in a nursing home.
Other types of abuse that happen in the nursing home setting include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional and psychological abuse
- Neglect (failure to provide for a person’s basic needs)
- Financial abuse
Family members and friends of those in these facilities need to remain vigilant at all times.
We can secure the compensation you need
If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our knowledgeable and experienced team is going to thoroughly investigate what happened and work to secure the compensation your loved one deserves. This includes:
- Coverage for medical expenses related to the abuse
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- The full cost of staying in the nursing home
- Relocation expenses if necessary
- Punitive damages against those responsible
When you need a Seattle nursing home abuse attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.