Suing a Nursing Home in Florida or Georgia
Enrolling your loved one in an assisted living facility is one of the most stressful choices you will make. For most people selecting a nursing home is a long process of researching online, meeting with representatives, and asking friends and family for advice. When you finally find the right place for your loved one, it is because you felt like the facility would look out for their best interests. You expect the people at the facility to take care of your loved one.
But when a loved one experiences abuse or neglect while in a nursing home, you may feel betrayed and wondering how the management let this happen. And you may be curious what you can do to make sure this kind of tragedy doesn’t happen to anyone else. Some people may even be wondering how to start getting compensation for their injuries.
Farah & Farah’s personal injury attorneys have helped many people advocate for their legal rights. You owe it to yourself to think carefully about your next steps if your loved one has experienced injury or premature death due to a nursing home’s abuse or negligence. Contact Farah & Farah now for your free, no-obligation case review.
How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?
It’s a sad fact that nursing home neglect is widespread. One out of ten of adults over the age of 60 living in assisted living have experienced some form of elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging. This shocking statistic shows how common elder abuse is in nursing homes.
Many times the abusers know they are engaging in inappropriate activity. In 2010, a study found that almost half of all nursing home attendants admitted to engaging in physical abuse or neglect of elderly patients. More than half of nursing home attendants admitted to verbally abusing residents with foul language or yelling.
What is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
While many people use the terms “abuse” and “neglect” interchangeably, they actually describe different types of mistreatment.
Nursing home abuse can include any intentional injury, physical harm, pain, mental suffering, or intimidation. Examples of nursing home abuse include making threats, yelling, hitting, or speaking with aggression.
Neglect, however, includes the failure of an employee or nursing home to provide for their residents. Because nursing home neglect is often passive, it can be more challenging for residents or loved ones to spot.
While these are different terms, they can both result in serious injuries, harm, infection, illness, or even death. If you suspect neglect or abuse, contact a nursing home attorney as soon as possible.
Learn more about types of nursing home abuse and contact a nursing home attorney as soon as possible.
Can You Sue A Nursing Home for Negligence?
How do you know if your loved one’s injury merits a civil lawsuit? Generally speaking, assisted living facilities can only be held liable for the resident’s injury only if their injury results from negligence or abuse. Unfortunately, proving abuse or negligence can be difficult.
Getting in contact with an attorney who understands these cases can help you determine if your case is worth pursuing.
When To Sue a Nursing Home
Unfortunately, there is no set definition of elder abuse. A nursing home abuse attorney can help you determine if your case meets the qualifications of elder abuse. Getting the ball rolling on your claim as soon as possible can help you ensure that justice is done.
Nursing homes have an obligation to take care of their residents. Abuse violates a resident’s legal rights. In addition to a lawyer, Adult Protective Services can help investigate elder abuse claims.
By choosing to sue a nursing home for negligence or abuse, you may be able to help keep other residents from experiencing similar abuse in the future.
How to Sue a Nursing Home
If you suspect your loved one’s rights were violated, you need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Make sure your loved one is removed from the situation and that a physician documents their abuse. In extreme cases, you may need to ask law enforcement to step in and conduct an investigation.
A knowledgeable nursing home attorney can help you pursue compensation for your expenses and injuries. Non-economic and economic damages can help you cover costs for:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Relocation expenses
- Punitive damages against the responsible parties
In cases that led to wrongful death, you may be able to qualify for damages. These expenses can include compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial, mental anguish, and other damages.
No two cases are the same. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible can help improve your odds of a desirable outcome.
Get Help From a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect abuse or neglect, you owe it to yourself to contact an experienced lawyer today. A nursing home attorney will be able to help you go up against the deep pockets of an assisted living facility. You need someone in your corner to fight for what you deserve. An experienced attorney can help improve your chances.
You may be curious about your options for restoring justice in your life. Farah & Farah have helped many people seek what they are owed. Our attorneys have a winning track record as the go-to for people in Florida and Georgia. Get started now with a free, no-obligation consultation.
