Financial Abuse at Oregon Nursing Homes is a Red Flag for Worse
There are many different types of abuse which could occur at an Oregon nursing home, assisted living facility, or other rehabilitation center. The most common types of abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse. Of these, while the other forms such as sexual abuse are horrific, financial abuse is one of the most troubling. This is because financial abuse means a resident’s physical and financial space are being violated. It also means that, if financial abuse is occurring, it is likely that there are many other forms of abuse occurring at a nursing home, likely violations, and other significant risks are nursing homes to the residents. Learn more why financial abuse is only the first sign of trouble at nursing homes and elder facilities from our Oregon nursing home abuse lawyers.
What is Financial Abuse?
Financial abuse is when a resident’s finances are taken advantage of by a staff member, guest, resident, or other individual with access to the resident. Financial abuse could be something as simple as taking money out of a resident’s wallet every week, or using a resident’s credit card without consent and not for the resident. Financial abuse could also be something more serious, such as false billing, overreaching into a resident’s social security payments or other healthcare payments, or even adding staff or other individuals to a resident’s Last Will and Testament. Financial abuse could also relate to cashing in old bonds, altering stock, or affecting intellectual property that a resident may have.
Why is Financial Abuse so Troubling?
Financial abuse is very troubling for several reasons. Usually financial abuse relates to the theft of a residents physical property such as money, checks, or a credit card. These items are within the possession of a resident, which mean that a deviant individual is altering aspects of a resident’s physical life. This mean could that a nursing home is inadequately staffed and residents, as well as staff members, are not adequately supervised. When financial abuse begins to occur, it could be an escalation of physical abuse, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse—all types which can be difficult to detect, especially emotional abuse or sexual abuse.
Financial abuse is also very troubling because it could occur behind the scenes when residents are being over billed or their finances are being altered from the office. This is troubling because it means the individuals who should be supervising and protecting residents from harm and abuse are not. Many times this translates into a nursing home which may be hiring inappropriate caretakers, purposely cutting corners, or having poor hygiene and cleaning.
Top Reasons Why to Hire our Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for Financial Abuse Cases
Financial abuse cases are not normal types of nursing home abuse or elder abuse cases. In fact, nursing home abuse cases relating to financial abuse needs to have a full and thorough investigation. This is because financial abuse is usually just the tip of the iceberg. It could mean that residents are being harmed in many ways, from simple ways like dehydration or more complex ways like sexual abuse.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect contact the Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Nursing Home Abuse cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
