Nursing home abuse may constitute a serious criminal offense, and you should report your suspicions to the police as soon as possible. If, for whatever reason, the police do not investigate, there are other agencies you can report to. You should also get a lawyer for your loved one as soon as possible.
In addition to law enforcement, you may report nursing home abuse to state agencies that oversee long-term care facilities and adult care. Within the Department of Human Resources in Arkansas are the Office of Long Term Care and the Long-Term Care Ombudsperson. You can also contact Adult Protective Services. If you believe your loved one is in an emergency, call 911.
Get a free, confidential legal review from our Bella Vista, AR nursing home abuse lawyers by calling (479) 316-0438.
Who Should You Call About Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Arkansas
You can call various agencies to report nursing home abuse. If you are unsure who to call, an attorney can help you call for help and take steps to legally protect your loved one.
The Police
Nursing home abuse often constitutes a criminal offense. Physical abuse, including assault and medical neglect, are obviously crimes, but even emotional or verbal abuse can lead to criminal charges in some cases.
Contact the police about your suspicions. The police may want some evidence of your claims before they investigate. Tell them whatever you know and share any evidence you may have obtained. Call 911 if the abuse constitutes an emergency.
Office of Long-Term Care
Within the Arkansas Department of Human Services is the Office of Long-Term Care. This department oversees various long term care facilities, including nursing homes. The Office may investigate complaints about nursing home facilities, including complaints of abuse or neglect.
The Office of Long Term Care is also in charge of licensing nursing home facilities. If your complaints yield strong evidence of abuse, the nursing home’s license could be suspended or revoked.
Long-Term Care Ombudsperson
The Arkansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is an advocacy program geared toward protecting those living in long-term care facilities and investigating claims of abuse or failures to provide adequate care.
The program can help explain resident rights, investigate complaints, and fight for better care for residents. The Ombudsman program does not investigate nursing home facilities. Instead, the program may help direct you to other authorities who can help.
Adult Protective Services
The Adult Protective Services in Arkansas may investigate complaints of abuse or neglect involving vulnerable adults. A vulnerable adult may include older people living in nursing homes as well as younger adults who may have physical or cognitive limitations that prevent them from living independently.
APS is mandated to investigate complaints of abuse or neglect involving vulnerable adults living in the community, while the Office of Long-Term Care investigates cases involving nursing homes. You might call APS if your loved one is abused by an in-home caregiver who might also work at a nursing home.
What Evidence Should You Have When Reporting Nursing Home Abuse?
You do not have a burden of proof when reporting suspicions of abuse. You do not have to present to the authorities enough evidence to definitively prove your claims. Even relatively questionable or weak evidence may be enough to open an investigation.
Observable Details and Facts
Report whatever you know about the suspected abuse. This may include recollections of things you observed. For example, you may report noticing unexplained injuries on your loved one or strange behavior from your loved one when certain nursing home employees are around. Even little observations that might not seem like much on their own can add up to significant evidence.
Your Loved One’s Medical Records
If you believe your loved one has been abused in their nursing home, have them evaluated by a physician unrelated to the nursing home. Your loved one’s medical records may shed light on their injuries and how they were inflicted. Such records may be the cornerstone of your case against the nursing home.
Witnesses
Did anyone else notice signs of abuse? If so, have them provide statements along with yours to the authorities. When more than one person notices abuse or neglect in a nursing home, the police or some other state agency is more likely to investigate and possibly uncover stronger evidence of your claims.
What to Do After Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Arkansas
Once you report nursing home abuse to the authorities, you should begin taking steps to protect your loved one and secure their legal interests.
Secure Your Loved One’s Safety
First, make sure your loved one is somewhere safe. If you believe they are being abused in their nursing home, do your best to remove them from that facility and place them in a different one.
In some cases, families must move their loved ones into their homes and hire private caregivers, which can be expensive. However, you may later claim damages for these expenses in a lawsuit against the nursing home.
Call a Lawyer
Contact a lawyer about your claims as soon as possible. Our nursing home abuse attorneys can advise you and your loved one of your legal options, including suing the nursing home for abuse. They can start compiling evidence, communicate with investigating authorities, and inform the nursing home about your lawsuit.
Request Copies of Investigative Findings
As authorities, including the police and state agencies, conduct investigations, it is important to stay informed and request copies of reports and findings. Some of these reports may contain details about valuable evidence. In some cases, investigators may testify in lawsuits about their findings.
Should You Call 911 to Report Nursing Home Abuse?
If the abuse constitutes a serious emergency, you should call 911. For example, if you visit your loved one in their nursing home and observe the abuse firsthand, call 911 and report it immediately. Do not leave your loved one alone until the police and emergency responders arrive.
Should You Report Nursing Home Abuse if You Do Not Have Much Evidence?
Yes, you should still report your concerns to the authorities even if you do not have much hard evidence. Even observations and recollections about suspicious events may convince the authorities that the case should be investigated. The more evidence you can give them, the better.
What Are Common Signs of Abuse in Nursing Homes?
Common signs of abuse include…
- Unexplained injuries
- Signs of old injuries that were not reported
- Changes in personality
- Changes in health
- Worsening medical conditions
- Mood swings
- Unsanitary conditions
Should You Sue the Nursing Home if Investigators Find Evidence of Abuse?
Yes. Nursing homes should be held responsible for causing harm to your loved one. Your loved one and your family may incur major expenses from having to move your loved one to a new facility or hire private in-home care, and a lawsuit can help you recover these and additional losses.
Ask Our Arkansas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for Help Right Away
Get a free, confidential legal review from our Bentonville, AR nursing home abuse lawyers by calling (479) 316-0438.