Nursing home residents deserve to be treated with care, respect, and dignity. When a senior is subjected to abuse, neglect, or mistreatment at their care facility, the guilty party should be held responsible for the pain and losses they’ve caused. At BDIW Law, a Tulsa nursing home abuse lawyer can examine the details of your unique situation and help you navigate the complexities of your claim.
If you believe that an employee or administrator at your family member’s nursing home is mistreating your loved one, you have the right to protect them. By working with a Tulsa personal injury lawyer, you can ensure that your loved one’s rights are represented with dignity and compassion. Contact us today to learn more.
What to Do First When Nursing Home Abuse May Be Occurring
If your family member is at risk in any way from physical or emotional abuse, you may wish to report what is occurring to the administration and document what occurs. Any instance of abuse should also warrant a police report. That will help document what occurred. It will also put everyone on the right path to avoiding any additional risk.
It is not always simple to move a person in a nursing home to another location. However, prioritizing their well-being is a first step. Then, let an attorney help you navigate what to do next.
A Tulsa nursing home abuse attorney can help you identify the liable party or parties. In addition, they can help hold them accountable for their actions. Our law firm has the skills and experience needed to help victims and their families.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow to Identify Nursing Home Abuse
It is not uncommon for people in a nursing home to be less-than-willing to communicate what is happening to them. In some situations, they could be embarrassed, and in other cases, they simply do not know what to do about it. That is why it becomes so important for you to know how to identify nursing home abuse.
Nursing home abuse is not rare and happens all too commonly throughout the country and to a wide range of people. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs shares that up to 5 million Americans suffer elder abuse each year, with about 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 having experienced some form of it. Yet, only 1 in 24 cases are actually reported, according to the Elder Justice Roadmap completed by the organization.
Talk to your family member about how it is their right to communicate about what occurs and that you will help them. To determine whether or not your loved one is being mistreated, it’s important to know that there are four distinct types of nursing home abuse. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Tulsa are familiar with all forms of elder abuse and can help you protect your loved one’s rights if they’re experiencing:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is one of the easiest forms of abuse to identify. It involves the intentional use of force, often resulting in injury, pain, or physical impairment. Examples of physical abuse include slapping, hitting, pushing, or restraining inappropriately.
Your family member might be a victim of physical abuse if they have unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries. Other signs of physical abuse include sudden changes in behavior and fear of specific caregivers. Physical abuse is commonly hidden.
When you visit your family member, document any of these signs of physical abuse. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of what occurred. Try to ask questions and write down information about who was around, what happened, when it happened, and who knows about it.
Neglect
Nursing home residents require frequent check-ins, routine medical attention, and, of course, basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. Neglect occurs when residents don’t receive the care and necessities they need to stay physically and emotionally healthy. When this does not happen, it could account for nursing home abuse.
Examples of nursing home neglect include failure to provide adequate medical care, hygiene products, and other necessary resources. Some bedridden residents may require more intensive care to prevent poor hygiene, bedsores, and other negative health outcomes. If your loved one appears dehydrated, poorly fed, dirty, or otherwise deprived of necessities, they may be experiencing neglect.
Serious neglect can result in emotional distress, physical injuries, and even life-threatening medical conditions. Documenting this can be challenging. However, it may be critical to protect your family member’s life and quality of life.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse in a nursing home may take the form of intimidation, shouting, humiliation, and isolation. It can also involve threats or the use of fear to control a resident. If your loved one is exhibiting signs of withdrawal, depression, anxiety, or mood changes, it could be due to emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse is not something to be embarrassed about, though many seniors are. Do not overlook other ways to prove it is occurring. For example, talk to those who share the room with the person to find out how they are treated.
A family member suffering emotional abuse may benefit from a mental health evaluation. Do not wait to get them the care they need. Often, this can impact not just their quality of life but their overall well-being.
Financial Abuse
This type of abuse can include financial theft, fraud, or exploitation. It may involve forging signatures, stealing personal property, or using credit cards without permission. Monitoring your loved one’s bank accounts and keeping an eye on their personal belongings can help you spot financial abuse and put a stop to it.
If you notice unexplained bank withdrawals or transfers, sudden changes in your family member’s financial situation, or missing valuables, financial abuse may be the cause. Financial abuse may occur when a person knowingly gives to their caregivers, often because they provide good service or seem to be a friend. It is up to you to see through those “nice” people.
If you believe your loved one is experiencing physical, emotional, or financial abuse, don’t wait to report it to their care facility and contact a nursing home abuse lawyer in Tulsa. A skilled attorney can investigate suspected mistreatment, collect valuable evidence, and pursue legal action against the responsible party. It is very difficult to try to do this on your own.
How Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help You and Your Loved One
If you suspect your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, our Tulsa attorneys can start by offering you a free consultation. During your consultation, we will ask you about the signs of mistreatment you’ve noticed. In addition, we will inquire about other investigations or police cases that are in progress and determine if you have a case for a personal injury lawsuit.
There is no cost for an initial consultation. If you suspect your family member is at risk, let us help you understand what is happening. We can help you file a police report, too.
Consider some of the ways our nursing home abuse attorneys in Tulsa help clients, and then call us for a free consultation. We do the work so your loved one is safe. The following are some examples.
Collect Evidence
If we agree to take on your case, your lawyer will start by collecting evidence of your family member’s abuse. They may use testimony from other nursing home employees, accident reports, police reports, medical records, and any relevant security footage to build your case. Evidence that is often hard to get becomes accessible.
Determine Liability
Once your attorney has enough evidence to paint a clear picture of events in which your family member was mistreated, they’ll be able to prove liability. Depending on who was involved with your loved one’s mistreatment, many parties may be responsible, including an individual nursing home staff member, a medical provider, a member of the custodial staff, a contractor or third-party vendor, or another resident. It may also be the nursing home itself.
Take the Guilty Party to Court
Once we’ve identified the individual(s) or entity responsible for your loved one’s abuse, we take legal action against them. Our nursing home abuse attorney in Tulsa, OK, has over 65 years of combined experience advocating for the wrongfully injured in court. We have the experience to secure the justice and court verdict your loved one needs to recover from their abuse.
Compensation Your Family Member Could Receive from a Suit
If your loved one’s nursing home abuse lawsuit is successful, they could receive compensation for multiple losses. These include medical expenses, the cost of assistive devices, rehabilitative therapy, prescription medication, the cost of moving to a new facility, and more. It may also include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive damages.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one has passed away due to the abuse they experienced at their nursing home, our Tulsa attorneys can help you pursue wrongful death damages. If your wrongful death lawsuit yields compensation, you could receive damages for inherited medical bills, funeral and burial costs, loss of inheritance, and loss of financial support. It may also include mental anguish, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Expert Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Your Service
Elderly individuals residing in nursing homes deserve respect, care, and safety. If you suspect your loved one is facing abuse or neglect in a nursing home, our experienced Tulsa nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help. At BDIW Law, we understand the importance of upholding the rights and well-being of our senior citizens. With a deep commitment to justice, we are here to provide legal guidance and advocacy to ensure that the rights of your loved ones are protected.
5 Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer FAQs:
Q: What are common signs of nursing home abuse?
A: Common signs of nursing home abuse include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, and withdrawal from social activities.
Q: How can a nursing home abuse lawyer assist my family?
A: A skilled nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, work with experts, file necessary legal documents, and pursue compensation for your loved one’s suffering.
Q: What actions can be taken against a negligent nursing home?
A: Legal actions may include filing a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress, and advocating for improved safety standards in the facility.
Q: What if my loved one cannot communicate about the abuse?
A: If your loved one cannot communicate, you can still take legal action on their behalf. Signs of abuse can be investigated through medical records, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence.
Q: How can I afford legal representation for a nursing home abuse case?
A: We offer a free initial consultation, and our legal fees are typically contingent. This means you only pay if we successfully recover compensation for your case.
If you suspect nursing home abuse, don’t hesitate to take action. Contact our dedicated Tulsa nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your concerns and explore your legal options. Your loved one’s well-being is our priority, and we are here to provide the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.
Don’t Wait to Schedule a Free Consultation With an Attorney in Tulsa, OK
You’ve got nothing to lose from scheduling a free consultation with a Tulsa nursing home abuse lawyer from our firm. You won’t be charged a traditional legal fee even if you decide to work with our lawyers. Instead, we’ll take a portion of the compensation you win from your suit.
That said, nothing is stopping you from reaching out to an experienced attorney today. In fact, the longer you wait to speak to a lawyer, the more likely your case will get thrown out of court. That’s because the state of Oklahoma has a statute of limitations for nursing home abuse suits.
Under Oklahoma Statute §12-95, you only have two years to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your loved one’s mistreatment. Submitting a suit any later than the two-year mark could stop your family member from getting the financial support they need to regain their health and emotional stability. Contact us to see how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Our Firm Is Here to Deliver Justice
Elder abuse is a despicable and unlawful act that must be punished. If your family member has been abused or neglected at their care facility, you have the right to stand up against their abuser and demand compensation, and we’re here to help you do so. Reach out to us to give you the advice you need.
We Want to Help You
The attorneys of BDIW Law take a strong stance against abuse of all types. If we agree to work on your case, we’ll work tirelessly to hold the guilty party liable for the pain, suffering, and loss they’ve inflicted.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation and enlist the assistance of a Tulsa nursing home abuse attorney.
