Albuquerque Group Home Abuse Attorneys

What Is a Group Home?

A group home is a small residential living facility that provides additional services, support, and supervision to residents. It may at first glance resemble an ordinary home, but a limited number of unrelated residents will occupy it. Each resident may have their own room, or residents may share rooms. A group home is typically supported by a small staff, and a full-time caregiver is available to residents 24/7 to provide any necessary assistance with food, mobility, bathing, medication, and other day-to-day activities. They can also offer immediate help if there is an emergency. 

What Is Considered Group Home Abuse in New Mexico?

Group homes are less regulated than other long-term care facilities, and their small sizes allow many issues to be easily concealed and overlooked. Abuse in a group home may be perpetrated by the facility’s owner, a member of its staff, another resident, or even a visitor. 

Group home abuse may be:

• Physical. A perpetrator of physical abuse might hit residents, unnecessarily restrain them, or neglect their basic needs. 
• Emotional. Examples of emotional abuse include yelling at, ridiculing, gaslighting, or threatening a resident, giving a resident the silent treatment, or isolating a resident from family, friends, and legal resources.
• Sexual. Residents of group homes may be especially vulnerable to sexual assault, rape, and exploitation. 
• Financial. A caregiver, owner, or visitor may manipulate a vulnerable resident into giving them money or property. Perpetrators of financial abuse may also steal credit cards, cash, and/or valuable items from a resident. 

Group homes can also neglect residents if they do not receive an adequate level of attention or if their specific needs are not met. A group home is likely neglecting a resident if they are able to wander or elope from the facility, for example, or if CPR is not administered when a resident enters cardiac arrest. 

If you are not sure whether a group home’s conduct constitutes abuse or neglect, turn to the Harvey, Foote & Baker Law Firm. Our Albuquerque group home abuse attorneys can review your situation and walk you through your legal options.

Who is Responsible for Group Home Abuse in New Mexico?

Group homes have a legal responsibility to facilitate safe environments for their residents. Sadly, many group homes seek to cut corners or take advantage of the vulnerable individuals left in their care. Individuals who perpetrate abuse, such as group home caregivers, staff members, and visitors, are legally responsible for the injuries and losses they cause. 

The group home itself may be liable for abuse or neglect if the facility:

• Hired underqualified employees
• Failed to conduct sufficient background checks of employees
• Failed to adequately train employees 
• Failed to monitor the home or employee conduct
• Failed to meaningfully address any complaints or evidence of abuse or neglect

Liability can be confusing in these cases. We have a complete understanding of a group home’s obligations to residents, and, after investigating the circumstances, our team can determine who is legally responsible for your loved one’s abuse or neglect. 

What Damages Can I Recover in a New Mexico Group Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Your family may be entitled to compensation if your loved one suffered any form of abuse or neglect while in the care of a group home. Taking legal action also allows you to hold the responsible parties accountable for misconduct. We will guide you through each step of the process of filing a lawsuit and will always work to maximize what you recover.

Our Albuquerque group home abuse lawyers will fight to get your family just compensation for:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Do not wait to get legal advice if you believe your loved one is a victim of group home abuse or neglect. Call (505) 295-2245 or contact us online today.