How To Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Kentucky

According to the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS), over 1.3 million referrals of alleged adult maltreatment were received in 2020. About one-half of the reports involved self-neglect. The other half involved exploitation, sexual abuse, neglect, and physical abuse.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reported that the SFY adult protective services received 21,317 calls in 2021 for adults aged 60 years and older. The calls involved self-neglect but also alleged abuse, caretaker neglect, exploitation, and other matters.

If you suspect nursing home abuse in Kentucky, there are several things you can do to report the abuse. Nursing home residents are often vulnerable adults who cannot report the abuse themselves. It is important to report something if you see or suspect abuse in a Kentucky nursing home.

How to Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Kentucky?

If you believe a nursing home resident is in imminent danger, call 911 to report the abuse to the police. Local law enforcement can act immediately to protect a nursing home resident.

For other matters, you can report nursing home abuse to the Kentucky Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse by calling 1-877-Abuse Tip (1-877-228-7834). The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also report nursing home abuse online directly to the Attorney General’s Office by completing the online complaint form. The hotline and complaint form can be used to report nursing home neglect, abuse, and exploitation. You can also report allegations of fraud regarding the Kentucky Medicaid Program.

Two other sources of help to report nursing home abuse in Kentucky include the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency and the Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Using all resources available can help stop the abuse and prevent it from happening to other patients.

Documenting Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Kentucky

If you suspect a nursing home resident is being abused or neglected, document your suspicions by recording the signs of abuse and neglect. Include the date and time of each occurrence, the staff member involved, and other details to help identify the abuse.

Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include, but are not limited to:

  • Unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, and broken bones
  • Injury to the genital area, sexually transmitted diseases, and unexplained genital bleeding
  • Fear of being alone with a caretaker
  • Emotional abuse
  • Lack of reaction to pain
  • Bedsores
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Dehydration and/or malnutrition
  • Begs for water and/or food
  • Lost or stolen money and personal items
  • Repeated falls
  • Dressed in torn and/or dirty clothing
  • Unhealthy hygiene and lack of personal grooming
  • Jumps, flinches, or “shrinks back” in response to a raised hand or sudden movements
  • Appears to be “drugged” and unresponsive because of overmedication/medication errors
  • Withdrawal and depression

The U.S. Department of Justices provides “red flags” of elder abuse on its website. You can also visit the National Institute of Aging’s website for additional information on spotting signs of elder abuse.

Getting a Lexington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Involved

Elder abuse and neglect is against the law in Kentucky. Additionally, a nursing home resident may have a civil claim against the nursing home, employees, and other parties for damages caused by the abuse.

A Lexington nursing home abuse attorney can help you report abuse and take steps to protect your loved one. They can also pursue a civil claim against the responsible parties to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages for a nursing home abuse case include:

  • Medical expenses and bills
  • Costs of relocation to another nursing home
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Costs of counseling and therapy
  • Nursing and/or personal care

Abuse and neglect in a nursing home can cause severe pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish. A resident can also recover compensation for these non-economic damages as part of a personal injury claim.

Money for a nursing home abuse claim does not undo the pain and suffering the patient experienced. However, it can provide resources to obtain better services and treatment for the patient. Nursing home abuse lawsuits also expose the abuse to help prevent other patients from being neglected and abused. 

Contact the Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers of Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

If you were injured in an accident in Kentucky, and need legal help, contact our nursing home abuse attorneys at Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review today.

We proudly serve Fayette County and the surrounding areas.

Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers – Lexington
501 Darby Creek Rd UNIT 48
Lexington, KY 40509

(859) 413-3900