Nursing home abuse is an unfortunate reality that far too many families face when entrusting the care of their elderly loved ones to assisted living facilities. The decision to place a family member in a nursing home is often difficult, made with the belief that they will receive the medical care, attention, and respect they deserve.
However, many nursing home residents suffer abuse, neglect, and mistreatment at the hands of staff members or due to facility-wide negligence.
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse in Westwood, Michigan, seeking help from an experienced nursing home lawyer is critical. These personal injury lawyers are committed to holding nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable for their actions, ensuring justice for your loved one.
Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to obtaining justice and fair compensation for victims of nursing home negligence. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of managing abuse cases with care and securing substantial settlements and verdicts.
We conduct comprehensive investigations to ensure that all forms of harm, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages, are fully considered. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we handle the legal challenges with precision and work relentlessly to safeguard your rights.
We offer compassionate and clear communication throughout the process, keeping you and your family informed, supported, and confident at every stage.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, and identifying the signs early is crucial to protecting residents. Below are the most common types of nursing home abuse cases our Westwood nursing home lawyers handle:
Physical assault includes any form of bodily harm inflicted upon nursing home residents, such as hitting, slapping, or using excessive force. The use of restraints, including chemical restraints through medication, can also constitute abuse.
Emotional abuse can be harder to identify but is equally damaging. It includes verbal harassment, threats, humiliation, and isolation, leading to mental health decline in nursing home residents.
Sexual abuse occurs when nursing facility residents are subjected to non-consensual sexual contact or activity. This form of abuse is particularly horrific, as the victims are often vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
Medical malpractice in an assisted living facility occurs when staff fail to provide adequate medical care. This nursing home neglect can include bed sores, medication errors, and failure to prevent infections like urinary tract infections.
Negligence includes failing to provide nursing home residents with proper hygiene, nourishment, hydration, or basic care. This neglect can lead to serious conditions such as malnutrition, dehydration, elopement (wandering away from the facility), and infections.
Financial exploitation of residents occurs when caregivers or staff members unlawfully take money, property, or assets from the elderly.
In extreme cases, nursing home abuse and neglect can result in the wrongful death of a resident. Whether due to physical abuse, medical malpractice, or negligence, our Westwood nursing home lawyers are here to pursue justice for families who have lost a loved one due to nursing home neglect or abuse.
Nursing home residents are protected under various federal and state laws designed to ensure they receive adequate care and are free from abuse and neglect.
These laws establish standards for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, safeguard residents’ rights, and provide legal recourse when those rights are violated.
One of the most significant federal protections for nursing home residents is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.
This law sets strict guidelines for receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding for nursing homes. Key provisions of the act include:
In addition to federal laws, Michigan has regulations that protect residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Michigan state law requires nursing homes to provide safe environments and adequate medical care and protect residents from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
The Michigan Public Health Code sets licensing requirements and care standards, ensuring that facilities are properly monitored and held accountable for violations.
Several parties can file a nursing home abuse claim depending on the circumstances of the case. These include:
Nursing home abuse cases can involve multiple parties, all of whom may bear responsibility for the harm inflicted on residents. Our nursing home attorneys will investigate each case thoroughly to identify all liable parties.
Common examples include:
Our nursing home attorneys have extensive experience handling these complex cases. We understand the legal strategies to pursue justice for nursing facility residents and their families.
Here’s how we can assist:
Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is crucial for protecting your loved ones.
Common indicators include:
If you suspect that your elderly family member is being abused in a nursing home, follow these steps to protect them:
When a nursing home resident suffers abuse or neglect, they and their family members may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages.
Economic damages cover the financial costs directly related to the abuse or neglect. These can include:
Non-economic damages compensate for the non-financial suffering the victim and their family endured as a result of the abuse. These may include:
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the nursing home or staff members engaged in especially egregious or intentional misconduct. These damages are meant to punish the responsible parties and deter similar behavior in the future.
Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Michigan law places strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, on filing nursing home abuse claims. If you believe your loved one has been abused, it’s essential to act quickly to preserve your legal rights.
Our nursing home lawyers are dedicated to providing the legal representation your family needs. With years of experience handling elder abuse cases, our law firm is committed to achieving justice for victims.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you protect your loved one’s rights.
Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.