Thorough employee background checks are incredibly important, especially in settings where staff are entrusted with the care and well-being of others. In nursing homes, where the population is particularly vulnerable, these checks are even more critical. These facilities require staff who are not only skilled and compassionate but also possess a history free of behavior that could endanger residents.
Unfortunately, not every nursing home conducts thorough background checks. This has led to unfit caretakers working in these facilities, putting residents at risk for many forms of abuse and neglect.
A knowledgeable Milwaukee nursing home abuse attorney can help investigate the facility’s hiring practices, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue justice for victims.
What Do Employee Background Checks Search For?
Employee background checks are an important part of many hiring processes, especially in nursing homes. These checks help these facilities evaluate whether individuals applying for positions are suitable to work closely with vulnerable adults. The process involves scrutinizing various aspects of a prospective employee’s past to identify any potential risks they might pose.
Specifically, these screenings might delve into:
- Criminal history to reveal any misdemeanor or felony convictions that could be relevant to their duties
- Previous employment history to verify the applicant’s experience and past conduct
- Public records to review essential details, such as the validity of a driver’s license
- Driving histories to assess issues such as DUI convictions, which could indicate a general disregard for safety
Nursing Home Background Checks Can Help Prevent Abuse and Neglect
A rigorous background check can be a critical safeguard against abuse and neglect. By thoroughly vetting candidates, nursing homes can filter out individuals with a history that suggests a propensity for abusive behavior, whether it be emotional, financial, or physical.
Any history of theft, violence, or misconduct can serve as a red flag, urging hiring managers to proceed with caution. This careful selection process helps ensure staff members are not only qualified but also possess the moral integrity necessary to care for vulnerable people.
What Happens If a Nursing Home Fails to Conduct Background Checks?
If a nursing home fails to conduct adequate background checks, severe consequences can occur. Often, instances of abuse and neglect can be traced back to employees who had prior histories of similar misconduct, which a proper background check would have uncovered. The absence of diligent hiring processes can place residents at risk, leading to tragic outcomes.
When abuse occurs, and it is discovered that the perpetrator has a history of similar offenses, the nursing home may be liable for any harm that a resident suffers as a result. The victim would have the right to file a lawsuit not only against the perpetrator but also the nursing home itself for a failure to ensure their safety.
Speak to a Wisconsin Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
If you or a loved one suffer abuse at a nursing home, you deserve justice. If a nursing home’s failure to conduct a thorough background check—or failure to order one at all—led to an abusive person working at the facility, you can hold multiple parties accountable for the mistreatment. In these situations, a Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyer can provide valuable assistance.
A Milwaukee personal injury attorney can meticulously investigate the facility’s hiring policies and procedures, ensuring that any negligence in the screening process is brought to light. After reporting the abuse, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Milwaukee to discuss your next steps.