Champaign County Nursing Home Sexual Assault Attorney
Lawyers for Sexual Abuse and Injuries to Nursing Home Residents in Champaign, Decatur, and Peoria
Sadly, nursing home abuse is a widespread problem throughout the United States and around 10% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of abuse on an annual basis. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, and financial exploitation can cause a great deal of harm to seniors, but perhaps the most disturbing type of abuse involves the sexual assault of nursing home residents. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help family members determine how to hold a negligent nursing home responsible for the sexual abuse of their loved ones.
With over 40 years of legal experience, the attorneys of Kanoski Bresney can provide unparalleled legal help and representation to victims of nursing home negligence and other types of injuries. We know how difficult it can be to learn that a nursing home that was entrusted with a person's care failed to protect them from harm, and we help families fight for justice for their loved ones. We have recovered a total of more than $550 million for injury victims, and we will do everything we can to make sure your family is fully repaid for the physical pain and emotional trauma you have experienced.
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Sexual Assault
As horrific as it may be to consider, many elderly people are the victims of sexual assault and abuse, and they may be targeted for this type of activity due to their vulnerability. Nursing home residents may be in a weakened physical condition, causing them to be unable to defend themselves against assault. Perpetrators may also target those who have Alzheimer's disease or dementia since they will be less likely to speak up for themselves and inform staff members, family members, or others about the abuse.
In addition to rape, sexual assault of a nursing home patient may involve inappropriate sexual contact such as groping or fondling. A perpetrator may force a resident to go unclothed or take sexually explicit pictures, or they may regularly make inappropriate sexual comments or show pornographic images or videos to a person without their consent. Sexual assault or abuse may be committed by nursing home staff members, including janitors or maintenance workers, but it can also be committed by other residents.
It may not always be obvious that a person has been the victim of sexual abuse, especially if a patient struggles to communicate with others. Some signs that a resident has experienced sexual assault include:
- Unexplained bruises, scratches, or welts, especially in the pelvic area
- Bleeding, pain, or irritation in the genital area or anus
- Unexplained difficulty with walking or sitting
- Torn or bloodstained clothing
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Agitation, panic attacks, depression, or other forms of emotional distress
- Difficulty sleeping
- Suicide attempts
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Inappropriate or unusual sexual behavior
- Fear of a certain person or location or of being left alone
Contact a Bloomington Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you believe that your loved one has experienced sexual assault at a nursing home, Kanoski Bresney can help you find out who was responsible. In many cases, nursing home abuse occurs because of problems with understaffing, which may lead a facility to hire personnel without performing the proper background checks or ensuring that all staff members are fully trained in providing the care residents need. We will investigate your case and help you take steps to hold a nursing home responsible for the harm suffered by your loved one and your family. Contact us today at 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682 to arrange a complimentary consultation. We represent nursing home abuse victims across Illinois, including Decatur, Peoria, Quincy, McDonough County, Springfield, McLean County, Rushville, Champaign, Sangamon County, Peoria County, Bloomington, Champaign County, Adams County, Pekin, Tazewell County, Macon County, Macomb, and Schuyler County.