Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

What Is a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?

A nursing home abuse lawyer is a specialized personal injury attorney focused on helping families affected by abuse and neglect in nursing facilities. These include nursing homes, assisted living, and other types of care facilities.

Neglect and abuse in nursing homes can have catastrophic effects on families, causing long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial damage.

Nursing home abuse lawyers fight to help victims and their families seek compensation through lawsuits against negligent or abusive facilities for the unacceptable harm they caused.

The best nursing home lawyers have years of experience advocating for victims of abuse and neglect. As a result, they are often more qualified to handle nursing home abuse lawsuits than general personal injury attorneys.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with an extensive network of top nursing home abuse lawyers across the country. Together, they have recovered over $267 million for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Get a free consultation right now to see if you can work with one of the trusted nursing home abuse lawyers we partner with.

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What Compensation Can Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Get?

An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can secure significant compensation for victims, including money for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Nursing home abuse compensation is awarded through settlements and trial verdicts to provide the financial support families need and deserve. Many have resulted in awards of $1 million or more.

Reported nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuit payouts include:

• $5.2 million in Kentucky for the death of a resident with paraplegia from an infected bedsore
• $4.2 million in Wisconsin for neglect of a 34-year-old disabled resident at an assisted living facility
• $4.1 million in Illinois for an 85-year-old woman injured due to medication mismanagement
• $3.7 million in California for elder abuse and neglect due to a resident being allowed to wander, leading to their death
• $2 million in Montana for the wrongful death of a resident in an assisted living facility
• $1.5 million in Oklahoma for failure to treat wounds and neglect leading to pressure sores
• $1.2 million in Alabama for nursing home neglect and wrongful death due to failure to provide oxygen
• $1 million in New York for severe bed sores from nursing home malpractice

It’s important to understand that nursing home abuse case values vary based on the severity of the impact on the resident and their family. However, these examples highlight the importance of having experienced nursing home abuse attorneys on your side.

Find out if we can connect you to a top nursing home abuse attorney near you.

How a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help

A nursing home abuse attorney guides victims through the legal process and helps them access financial compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

“Under international human rights law, everyone, including nursing home residents, has the right to the highest attainable standard of health and to an effective remedy for violations of their rights.”

—Human Rights Watch

Working with an experienced nursing home lawyer gives families a better chance of receiving compensation.

Lawyers for nursing home abuse seek to prove that:

• The nursing home facility had a legal duty to care for the victim but did not meet the minimum standards
• Nursing home staff members harmed a resident through negligence and/or intentional acts of violence
• The resident suffered long-term or permanent injuries due to the staff members’ actions
• The resident or their family is owed financial compensation to pay for medical treatment, heal from emotional trauma, or pay for funeral expenses

A skilled attorney for nursing home abuse seeks to prove negligence or intentional harm. They fight to secure the financial compensation needed to transfer the resident to a new facility, cover medical bills, ease emotional distress, and help families rebuild their lives.

Types of Cases Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Handle

Nursing home abuse lawyers handle various types of nursing home abuse cases, including negligence, medical malpractice, and physical or emotional harm. These cases range from severe neglect to intentional mistreatment, each demanding specialized legal expertise.

Learn more about the kinds of cases nursing home abuse lawyers can help with.

Medical Malpractice

Nursing home malpractice occurs when a health care provider or facility fails to meet their required duty of care. In a nursing home, this could include making medication errors that cause harm.

Neglect

Nursing home neglect happens when a basic standard of care is not met, resulting in harm to a resident. Negligence while caring for frail nursing home residents can cause serious injuries, such as stage 4 bedsores or deadly falls.

Physical Abuse

Physical nursing home abuse occurs when a resident is harmed at the hands of staff members or other residents. For example, a certified nursing assistant in a California nursing home slammed a resident against the wall in 2021, causing her physical harm.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual nursing home abuse is any type of unwanted sexual contact with a nursing home resident. For example, in 2019, a 71-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a staff member during a diaper change.

Wrongful Death

Nursing home wrongful death can occur when nursing home abuse or neglect results in a preventable death. For example, in 2021, a nursing home resident with strict swallowing precautions choked to death after being left alone to eat her lunch.

Other Types of Abuse

Additionally, emotional abuse or financial abuse could be red flags that other forms of abuse are occurring. Sadly, elder abuse statistics show that abuse and neglect in nursing homes are common, with victims being abused in many ways.

“Rates of abuse of older people are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year.”

—World Health Organization (WHO)

The best nursing home abuse lawyers have experience handling all forms of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Our trusted partners work at reputable law firms across the country. They are knowledgeable about elder abuse laws and have extensive resources to help clients.

Get a free case review right now to get started.

Free Case Review

Get a free legal case review if you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect.

Get a Free Case Review

Do I Need a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?

If you or a loved one was harmed in a nursing home, you might not know for sure if abuse occurred or if an elder abuse lawyer is needed. However, it never hurts to look into your legal options.

Before calling an attorney, you may sense that something seems wrong or see common signs of nursing home abuse.

During this time, it’s helpful to begin compiling available evidence, including the history and timeline of abuse or neglect.

You may need an elder abuse attorney for these reasons:

• Behavior or mood has suddenly changed for the worse
• Financial hardship due to a resident’s injuries
• Improper medical treatment for wounds, infections, or illnesses
• Repeated hospital stays while living in a nursing home
• Signs of neglect in a loved one (malnutrition, weight loss, dehydration)
• Staff has made serious health care mistakes (medication errors, etc.)
• Unexplained injuries (bedsores, broken bones, genital bruising)

When in doubt, get a free case review to see if possible warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect may warrant legal action.

Connect with a patient advocate now to find out if you can work with a top nursing home abuse lawyer near you.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Finding the right nursing home abuse lawyer is a critical first step in pursuing justice for your loved one. The right attorney can guide you through the legal process, ensuring you get the best possible outcome for your case.

Here are 5 tips to help you choose the best nursing home abuse lawyer.

1. Find Out What It Will Cost

Top nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they charge no upfront fees for their services. Further, they only get paid if they secure money for you.

In these fee arrangements, elder abuse lawyers usually take a percentage of the compensation from a settlement or trial verdict to cover their legal costs.

2. Ask About Their Experience With Nursing Home Cases

Find out if the lawyer has handled nursing home abuse cases before. Ask for examples of past injury cases and how they turned out, which can give you confidence in their ability to handle your case.

Be transparent and open about the facts of your family’s situation when speaking with the lawyer. This can help you gauge whether they seem equipped to help.

3. Decide If You’d Feel Comfortable Working With Them

Comfort and trust are key when working with a lawyer. During your initial consultation, pay attention to how well they listen and communicate. You should feel comfortable sharing details and asking questions.

4. Assess Their Resources and Support Team

Make sure the lawyer has a solid legal team to help manage the case, like paralegals or other experts familiar with personal injury claims. This can help ensure everything is handled smoothly and effectively.

5. Look for Recognition and Client Testimonials

Check for reviews or testimonials from past clients, as well as any awards or recognition the lawyer has received. This can give you an idea of their reputation and success in handling nursing home abuse cases.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center is proud to work with experienced and fully vetted nursing home abuse lawyers who can help families in all 50 states.

Get a free case review right now to find out if we can connect you with a top nursing home abuse lawyer near you.

Free Case Review

Get a free legal case review if you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect.

Get a Free Case Review

What to Expect When Working with a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

When abuse or neglect in a nursing home happens, it can be agonizing for families to face. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle it alone. Working with a nursing home abuse lawyer can help reduce the stress of filing a lawsuit.

Below are some things you can expect a nursing home lawyer to do.

Provide a Free Case Evaluation

Top nursing home abuse lawyers offer free consultations, making it risk-free to find out if you have a valid claim against a care facility. This initial case review is a crucial first step in determining your eligibility for financial compensation.

Get a free case review right now to start the process.

Investigate Your Claim

Your nursing home abuse lawyer will ask you about the abuse or mistreatment, the history of care at the facility, and the mental and physical capacities of the victim.

Then, your nursing home negligence attorney will carefully investigate the facts and gather evidence to support the case.

This evidence may include:

• Documents from the nursing home, including policies and care details
• Logs showing staff schedules and actions indicating any lapses in care
• Medical records detailing the resident’s condition and treatments
• Photos or videos showing injuries or incidents
• Witness statements from staff, residents, or family members

Your nursing home abuse lawyer will use all relevant evidence to support the claims of nursing home abuse that the victim has reported.

File Your Lawsuit

Next, your nursing home abuse lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf. The lawsuit must be filed in the proper court system, and the defendants (those being sued) must be notified with formal documents. A nursing home abuse lawyer can ensure these critical steps are taken without mistakes or delays.

Negotiate a Settlement

Nursing home abuse cases rarely go to trial. Instead, both parties usually reach a settlement that awards the plaintiff a financial payout to close their case. Skilled lawyers work hard to negotiate the highest nursing home settlements for their clients.

Go to Trial If Needed

In the unlikely case that a settlement cannot be reached out of court, it goes to trial. During a trial, a judge or jury will decide on a nursing home abuse case verdict after hearing the facts presented by each side. This includes how much money (if any) will be awarded to the plaintiff.

Elder abuse attorneys work to prepare a strong case in the event the case goes to trial. They also update their clients on the status as the trial progresses.

When Should I Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?

Consider hiring a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as you suspect neglect or abuse has occurred.

It’s important to act quickly because there’s a strict deadline for filing lawsuits known as the statute of limitations. Once this window passes, you won’t be able to pursue legal action.

Each state has a specific deadline, making it essential to talk with a lawyer who understands the laws in your area.

Additionally, the statute of limitations can be tricky to understand. An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can advise you on exactly how much time you have to file your lawsuit. They will make sure your case is filed before the deadline.

Find a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me

In a perfect world, long-term care facilities would treat all residents with the respect and care they deserve. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect do occur.

Sadly, those who fall victim to nursing home abuse may carry physical and emotional scars for the rest of their lives.

By working with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer, residents and their families can begin to recover from the trauma and afford necessary medical care.

An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can provide legal advice, communicate with the facility’s lawyers and insurance companies, and much more.

Call us at (855) 264-6310 or get a free consultation right now. We may be able to connect you with a top nursing home abuse lawyer in your area who can provide the help you deserve.