How To Claim Compensation for Care Home Abuse

Although lots of us like the idea of caring for a friend or relative in older age, the truth is that sometimes the practicalities of life get in the way. It could be that someone needs more complex care than you are able to give or simply that between working a full-time job and juggling a family you don’t have the time to dedicate that the person deserves.

In this case, a care home can be the perfect alternative to the person staying in their care home. It allows them to stay somewhere warm and comfortable in the safe hands of people that know how to care for them properly. In most cases, this works out perfectly, but if you suspect that the person you care about isn’t being cared for in the way they should be then you should investigate further and do what you can to keep them safe straight away, before looking at what you should do next.

Do You Know Someone That Has Been a Victim of Care Home Abuse?

It is likely that the person in the care home is unlikely to be able to report this themselves, so if you suspect anything it is important that you raise this as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there are many ways that people can be abused when they are in the care of others. Types of abuse that someone could be a victim of include:

• Physical abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse

None of these are pleasant to experience at any time, but especially when it is at the hands of the people that are supposed to care for you, in the comfort of your own residence. If you suspect that someone you are visiting is a victim of any of these, it is important to question your relative gently so that they’re not frightened further – they may not want to tell you for fear of kicking up too much of a fuss, so let them tell you at their own pace.

Of course, as soon as you suspect something you can do things to keep them safe – visiting more often or simply calling to check how they are can encourage abusers to back off. Speaking to the care home manager about your concerns is a good place to start too.

How To Claim Compensation for Care Home Abuse

If you do suspect that the worst is happening, then you should take steps to ensure that they are now safe. However, as the possible victim of abuse, they would also be entitled to compensation. Speaking to a solicitor that specialises in abuse claims like this can help you to get an idea of the best steps to take and how to make sure that your loved one gets the most compensation possible. Many will submit care home claims directly to the care home and whilst this can help to ensure that the resident of the care home is now safe, it isn’t the best way to get compensated; for that, you should seek legal advice.

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