Indianapolis Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorneys
If your loved one has been sexually abused in a nursing home, the Indianapolis nursing home sexual abuse lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Sexual abuse is an increasing (yet underreported) problem in nursing homes. Most of us think of children as the victims of sexual abuse, but the elderly in nursing homes are equally as vulnerable to the horrendous crime. A nursing home is usually the last place we expect sexual abuse to take place; the regrettable truth, however, is that sexual abuse is common wherever there are vulnerable populations. Nursing homes are full of people who may be physically, emotionally, or mentally weak, making them ideal targets for a sexual predator.
Discovering that your loved one has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of those who were entrusted to care for them is infuriating and devastating. The experienced nursing home sexual abuse attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider share your rage and believe those responsible for the abuse need to be held accountable. If you believe a loved one is experiencing sexual abuse in the nursing home, contact us today at (317) 634-8565, fill out a contact form, or chat with us live to explore your options for how we can end this abuse and prevent it from happening to others.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Nursing homes are powerful institutions with their own teams of dedicated attorneys. Trying to take on a nursing home on your own is likely to end with stress, financial strain, and very little compensation. Enlisting the aid of an Indianapolis nursing home sexual abuse lawyer from Hankey Marks & Crider will significantly improve the likelihood that you and your loved ones will receive the compensation you deserve. Successfully proving nursing home abuse requires extensive investigation, medical expertise, and aggressive persistence. At Hankey Marks & Crider, we have the resources and years of experience needed to prosecute the nursing home, demand an end to your loved one’s abuse, and receive financial restitution to help your loved one find peace again. Allow an Indianapolis nursing home sexual abuse lawyer to set your mind at ease so you can be fully available for your loved one.
Why Should I Choose Hankey Marks & Crider?
Charles D. Hankey founded our law office back in 1973 on the principle of defending victims’ rights and holding accountable those who have caused their suffering. In 2014, the American Society of Legal Advocates recognized him as one of the Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in Indiana. With a combined 75 years of experience, the attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider have handled hundreds of nursing home abuse cases and know how to navigate the difficult process of investigating and litigating claims against powerful nursing homes. We are dedicated to fighting aggressively for our clients and taking the time to truly understand their needs. The results we have achieved for our clients and the feedback they have given us are proof of how confident we are in our ability to reach a successful outcome for you and your loved ones.
Symptoms and Causes of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Though it is hard to even think of someone taking advantage of an elderly person in such a way, it is important to know how sexual abuse can take place in nursing homes so you can protect your loved one. Usually, the abuser is a caregiver at the nursing home who is supposed to care for the patient. Sometimes a resident is forced to watch pornographic material, witness sexual acts, or may be forced to undress in front of their abuser. Other times, the resident is the victim of forced intercourse. No matter how it occurs, the sexual abuse is inexcusable and intolerable. Your loved one deserves to feel safe and secure in their residence, and should never be forced to deal with abuse of this nature.
After understanding how sexual abuse in nursing homes can happen, it’s important to know what to look for if you suspect that it is occurring. The following are signs that could indicate sexual abuse:
- Sudden change in mood or behavior
- Bruising, especially around the genitalia
- Unusual stains or bleeding in the underwear
- Sudden difficulty standing or walking
- Sudden emotional withdrawal
Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Statistics
Over 70% of sexual abuse incidents among the elderly occur in nursing homes. According to the National Institute of Justice, these incidents of sexual abuse are rarely prosecuted because victims are either too scared to report it, or not believed when they do report it. Only 30% of sexual abuse victims over the age of 65 report the abuse and over 80% of the perpetrators are those tasked to take care of the victims. These statistics point to the difficulty in diagnosing and prosecuting cases of nursing home sexual abuse.
Contact Us
Dealing with potential sexual abuse of your loved one can feel overwhelming, but it is important to act as quickly as possible. By taking action, you can put an end to your loved one’s suffering and help other residents who are victims of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse should never be tolerated, and nursing homes that allow this kind of wrongdoing should pay the price for their neglect. To go over the details of your case with an experienced and compassionate Indianapolis nursing home sexual abuse attorney, contact the Hankey Marks & Crider today at (317) 634-8565.