Placing a family member into a nursing home is supposed to alleviate your frustration and fears for an older person who may need more help than they used to, but then you learn something happened. A fall, abusive language, or perhaps even physical bruising on your family member has you wondering exactly how safe your family member is, so be sure to talk to a Guthrie personal injury attorney. Our Guthrie nursing home abuse lawyer at BDIW Law has worked to help families get answers and compensation for this type of horrible situation.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
A study published by the National Library of Medicine shares that 10% of all people over the age of 65 experience some type of abuse, but that rate is much higher when the family member lives in a long-term care facility, and those rates are rising and not improving. More so, it found that just 1 out of every 14 of these cases is actually reported to the authorities. The following are several types of nursing home abuse that can occur:
- Emotional abuse: This includes yelling, mocking, falsely accusing, or lying to residents and could also include threatening people with physical abuse.
- Physical abuse: Intentional or reckless behavior that puts a person at risk of injury, causes pain or bodily harm, or causes further injuries, including the use of chemical and physical restraints.
- Abandonment: Not only does abandonment mean a person is not getting the care they need, creating physical risk, but it also indicates that a person is likely to struggle with psychological abuse as a result.
- Financial abuse: This type of abuse relates to the use of a person’s money, home, or other assets inappropriately, including taking money from accounts, using a credit card for the senior, or accessing personal accounts.
- Neglect: Included here are any type of losses related to providing ineffective care such as nutrition, hydration, and medications or providing help with using the restroom or hygiene.
- Sexual abuse: Threatening, forcing, or abusing a person in any type of sexual nature can fall under this area.
If you suspect your family member is suffering from any of these forms of nursing home abuse, take action immediately by reporting it to the authorities. Our Guthrie nursing home abuse attorney can remain by your side throughout this process, protecting your family member’s rights and their ability to recover from these damaging situations. Do not wait to get the support you need to stop this abuse and hold those responsible accountable.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYLet Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Guthrie Work to Establish Negligence
Once you believe there is a risk to your family member and you take steps to protect them, the next step is to establish negligence so that proper legal action can be taken. Our attorneys in Guthrie have experience doing this through several methods, including gathering evidence that you may not know exists. Some examples of the information we may seek to prove your losses include the following:
- Pictures of the injuries suffered, conditions, or the incident itself
- Surveillance tapes indicating who was where and of the incident themselves
- Health records
- Employment logs and data
- Expert witnesses
- Other resident witnesses
- Nursing home policy information
- Safety and abuse claims at the location previously
- Other witness statements
As a resident of a nursing home, you have the right to a safe, comfortable place, and if that location is not meeting your rights but instead is putting you or your loved one in harm’s way, you have the right to take action. Allow us to gather the information available to prove your losses and then work to prove you are owed compensation. With our experience, we have the tools and resources that can help you at BDIW Law.
Take Action as Soon as Possible to Avoid Missing Timeline Requirements
In the state of Oklahoma, a person in a long-term care facility could be hurt once or multiple times over a period of years. However, under the law, you have two years from the date of the incident to actually take legal action. As a result, it is critical that you act quickly to do so by contacting our nursing home abuse lawyer in Guthrie immediately.
How Much Is Your Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
Is it worth it to take legal action like this against those who hurt you? In our opinion, it always is because it helps to change what occurs at those locations going forward, but for many, the cost involved is a concern. When you work with BDIW, you do not pay us until (and unless) you win your case, and that means all of the work is on our shoulders.
To determine how much your case is worth, our attorneys will gather as much information as possible from various sources and then compare your case with others that have gone through the courts before you. There is nothing that can make these forms of abuse go away. However, with legal action, you may be able to recoup your losses.
There are various types of losses you may qualify for based on the details of your case. During a free consultation, we will discuss these with you based on your information. Some of the most common forms include the following.
Economic Damages
This includes costs related to moving a loved one out of a location, getting them physical care in a hospital for abuse or neglect, and then getting mental health support. These are figures that are often documented in bills and payments. Economic damages are just one component.
Non-Economic Damages
These include losses that are typically more elaborate. That includes pain and suffering, compensatory damages, and reduced quality of life. This is a way to get back some of the pain and loss you felt from it.
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CONTACT US TODAYSchedule a Free Consultation with Our Nursing Home Attorney for Immediate Help
At BDIW Law, our Guthrie nursing home abuse lawyer is available to discuss your case with you today. Reach out to us for a free, no-obligation consultation, and know that your privacy is fully protected. Let us help you determine if you have a case and what it may be worth.
The Sooner We Get Involved, The More We Can Do To Help You.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAY