Milwaukee personal injury attorneys for nursing home abuse 5 shocking examples of Wisconsin nursing home abuse

Wisconsin State Statute 46.90 defines elder abuse as the failure of a caregiver to secure or maintain adequate care, services or supervision for an individual age 60 or older. There are 5 main types of elder abuse under Wisconsin law: 1) Physical abuse. 2) Emotional abuse. 3) Sexual abuse. 4) Neglect. 5) Financial exploitation. Common signs of elder abuse include: 

• Bruises, cuts, bedsores, and broken bones
• Weight loss
• Poor hygiene
• Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or confusion
• Self-isolating behavior

Types of elder abuse in nursing homes

Handing care of parents, grandparents, or other elderly loved ones to a nursing home, assisted living facility, or caregiver takes trust. When medical professionals breach their contracts and cross boundaries, you're thrust into a reality you never thought you'd face. In the United States, federal regulations give nursing home residents “the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and involuntary seclusion.”

• Abuse: "To intentionally cause physical or mental harm to a resident, such as injuring, confining, intimidating, punishing, or denying care to the patient."
• Neglect: "To intentionally or unintentionally fail to provide appropriate care and services to prevent harm, pain, or anxiety."

 In America, there are 5 commonly recognized examples of nursing home abuse and negligence:

• 1. Neglect
• 2. Financial Exploitation
• 3. Physical Abuse
• 4. Emotional Abuse
• 5. Sexual Abuse

Nursing home statistics

In their most recent update with the Trends in Nursing Facility Characteristics in 2015, the American Health Care Association recorded about 1,670,000 certified beds in America for those who need care provided for them. Of those beds, about 1,370,000 patients were noted as filling one of the occupancies. Overall, this means about 85.8% of the certified nursing home beds were filled. The AHCA’s report covered home health agencies, hospices, and nursing homes, but did not include numbers from any hospital or other unlisted medical facilities.

1. Left behind & forgotten: nursing home negligence

If you are suspicious a caregiver or nurse is not giving your loved one the attention they need to keep their health and happiness stable, it may be time to start a lawsuit with the help of our nursing home abuse attorneys in Wisconsin. Signs of an intentional or unintentional caregiver or nursing home negligence may include:

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Bedsores
• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Unsuitable clothing for the weather
• Desertion in a public place

2. Taking advantage of the elderly: financial exploitation & healthcare fraud

There are real predators who work the healthcare system to take advantage of the elderly. Signs of a nursing home or caregiver taking advantage of an elder’s finances include:

• Withdrawal from accounts
• Missing possessions or cash
• Suspicious changes in wills or power of attorney
• Multiple bills for the same medical service
• Poorly trained nursing home staff
• Overcrowded healthcare facility

3. Examples of physical abuse in nursing homes

When you visit your loved ones, check for suspicious injuries. Whether it's just a simple scratch or small bruise, don't write it off. There are a number of red flags to look for, including:

• Unexplained bruises, welts, or scarring (especially if injuries are symmetrical on two sides of the body)
• Sprains, dislocations, or broken bones
• Broken glasses
• Marks on wrists as if from being restrained
• Over- or under-medicating
• Caregiver’s refusal to let you see your loved one alone

If you or someone you love has suffered a face or head injury due to negligence, we will investigate all routes to determine whether you have grounds for a slip and fall lawsuit.

Wisconsin State Statutes: Injury to the person. Wisconsin Statute § 893.54 (2024). Physical abuse of an elder person. Wisconsin Statute § 940.198. Elder abuse reporting system. Wisconsin Statute § 46.90