Finding a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you suspect a family member is suffering physical abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility, you may not know where to turn. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help protect nursing home residents and reassure family members that their loved one is safe and treated with respect. An attorney can also help nursing home residents recover damages for their injuries and hold the care facilities responsible.

This article provides an overview of nursing home abuse and how to find the right nursing home abuse lawyer for you. Nursing home abuse laws can be different in every state. When looking for a nursing home abuse attorney, contact a lawyer in your state for legal help.

Nursing Home Abuse

Every year, hundreds of thousands of older adults suffer abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Nursing home abuse can happen even in the best assisted living facilities. It may be perpetrated by health care providers, nursing home staff members, caregivers, other residents, and partners. Nursing home abuse can take many forms. Types of abuse include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Financial abuse

Some older adults can be targets for abuse because they may have physical or mental disabilities, be unable to communicate, or have memory problems. Nursing home residents may also be less likely to speak out against abuse because they fear retribution from their abusers. Injury cases involving older adult residents of nursing home facilities can go unreported, even after the resident suffers serious injuries or death.

Nursing home abuse is not always blatant. There may be signs of nursing home abuse or mistreatment, including bruising or broken bones from physical abuse. Bruising around the wrists could indicate restraining someone against their will or isolation. Emotional changes, depression, and withdrawal may also mean possible abuse.

Nursing home neglect involves failing to provide for the older person’s needs, including food, water, medication, bathing, access to medical care, and socialization. Warning signs of possible neglect can include bedsores, malnutrition, weight loss, dehydration, or unsanitary conditions.

Can I File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

A nursing home negligence lawsuit can help the victims of nursing home abuse receive financial compensation for their injuries. Civil damages can include money for medical bills, emotional harm, and pain and suffering. If a loved one dies because of nursing home abuse, the estate or family members may be able to file a wrongful death legal action against the nursing home.

Ways to Find a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Knowing where to find a nursing home abuse lawyer for your case can be challenging. To narrow your search, consider the following ways to find a law firm that handles nursing home abuse cases like yours.

Referrals from Friends or Family

If you know someone who has had an issue with nursing home abuse in the past, you can ask about their experience. If they hired an attorney, how did they find the lawyer, and how was their experience? You can contact the attorney they used and set up a consultation to see if they might be right for your case. If you know a lawyer that practices in a different area of law, they can direct you to a legal team or attorney who practices in the area of nursing home care.

State Bar Association

Each state has a bar association that licenses and regulates law practice in that state. Many state bar associations or local bar associations also have a lawyer referral service that you can use to get the name and contact information of lawyers who can help. For example, in Nebraska, the Nebraska State Bar Association refers the public to their lawyer referral website.

Third-Party Search Tools

Knowing where to start can be the most challenging part of finding a nursing home abuse lawyer. Third-party lawyer listings, like LawInfo, can help you find lawyers in your area that are available to answer your questions. To begin your search for a nursing home abuse lawyer, use this link to find a nursing home neglect attorney where you live or the location of your family member.

Finding the Right Attorney for Your Case

Once you have the contact information of some lawyers who work in nursing home abuse, you can contact them to set up an initial consultation. A consultation is a great way to find out more about the lawyer, how they can help, and if they are the person you want representing you or your loved one. Go into the consultation prepared with some questions you want to ask, which may include:

• How do I know my parent is facing older adult abuse or neglect?
• Do you offer a free case evaluation?
• How many years of experience do you have with nursing home abuse cases?
• Do you charge a flat fee, hourly rate, or contingency fee?
• How will I stay in contact and get updates about my case?
• How long could this nursing home abuse case take?
• What steps should I take now?

Nursing home abuse and neglect should be addressed as soon as possible. If you suspect abuse, report it immediately. Most states have a website or phone number for reporting nursing home complaints. For example, in New York, the Department of Health has a Nursing Home Complaint Hotline to report abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.

A nursing home attorney can help you keep your loved ones safe and hold the nursing home accountable for their actions through a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Use the LawInfo directory to find a nursing home abuse lawyer where you live.