The Nursing Home Law Center is committed to providing the legal resources necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable.
Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Elder abuse is a serious issue that affects thousands of nursing home residents nationwide every year, including those in Edmond, Oklahoma. Families place their trust in nursing homes, expecting their elderly loved ones to receive care in a safe and supportive environment.
Unfortunately, some facilities fail to meet these expectations, resulting in elder abuse or neglect that can cause physical injuries, emotional stress, or death. Financial abuse can leave a loved one without the economic resources they need. Reporting abuse is crucial. After that, it’s time to contact a lawyer.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, seeking legal assistance from an experienced Edmond nursing home abuse attorney is critical. A qualified attorney can help you understand your rights, investigate the mistreatment, and pursue fair compensation for the harm caused.
Taking action is vital not only to seek justice but also to protect residents from potential harm. By addressing elder abuse through legal channels, you can help prevent further instances of neglect and abuse in long-term care facilities.
Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center
At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and fair compensation for those affected by Oklahoma nursing home abuse. Our Oklahoma nursing home abuse attorney team has a strong history of handling cases carefully and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We carry out detailed investigations to ensure every aspect of the abuse is addressed, including medical costs, emotional suffering, and other related damages. With extensive experience in elder abuse claims, we handle these cases precisely and relentlessly to protect your rights.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Elder abuse refers to any intentional harm or neglect inflicted on residents by nursing home staff members, other residents, or caretakers. It can take many forms, causing physical injuries, emotional distress, or even death. Our Edmond nursing home abuse lawyers handle a wide range of cases to ensure victims and their families receive justice and fair compensation.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves the intentional use of physical contact that causes harm or injury to a nursing home resident. Hitting, pushing, or improper use of physical restraints are considered physical abuse. If you suspect abuse or immediate danger, contact Adult Protective Services to report nursing home abuse.
Mental and Emotional Abuse
Mental or emotional abuse involves actions or words that cause psychological harm, fear, or distress. Common examples of psychological abuse include yelling, threats, intimidation, or social isolation of an elderly person from others.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse refers to any non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. This form of elder abuse can include unwanted touching, sexual assault, or harassment. Vulnerable elderly individuals, especially those with cognitive impairments, are at greater risk of sexual abuse.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice often occurs when staff members fail to provide adequate care, resulting in bed sores, infections, or medication errors that harm the resident. This can happen alongside other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse.
Negligence
Nursing home negligence occurs when staff fail to provide proper care, resulting in harm. Examples include poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, dehydration, or allowing a resident to wander off the premises (elopement).
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse involves the exploitation or theft of a resident’s assets or personal property by forging signatures, stealing funds, or coercing an elderly person into altering financial documents. Report nursing home abuse involving financial exploitation to adult protective services and local authorities.
Wrongful Death
In the most tragic cases, elder abuse or neglect can result in the wrongful death of a nursing home resident. This may stem from physical abuse, untreated medical conditions, or neglect, leading to fatal complications. Families of victims may pursue compensation to hold nursing homes accountable and seek justice for their loss.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Nursing home residents are protected by federal and state laws designed to ensure they receive care and are treated with dignity and respect. When Oklahoma nursing home abuse or neglect occurs, residents and their families have legal options to hold negligent facilities accountable.
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 establishes a federal standard of care for residents of nursing homes who receive Medicaid or Medicare funding. Under this law, residents have the right to:
- Be free from any action or inaction considered physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Receive proper care, including medical treatment, nutrition, and hygiene.
- Participate in decisions regarding their care.
- Retain personal belongings and maintain privacy.
- Voice grievances without fear of retaliation.
These protections are in place to safeguard residents from elder abuse and neglect and to ensure they receive the care they need.
In Oklahoma, additional state-specific laws further protect nursing home residents. Oklahoma law requires long-term care facilities to provide an environment free of abuse and neglect.
Facilities must meet licensing and staffing standards to ensure residents’ safety. Residents also have the right to file complaints with the state’s Adult Protective Services or other oversight agencies if they experience elder abuse or neglect.
Eligibility to File an Oklahoma Nursing Home Abuse Claim
A nursing home negligence claim can typically be filed by:
- The residents themselves, if they are able.
- Family members or legal guardians acting on behalf of a loved one who cannot advocate for themselves due to physical or cognitive impairments.
- The estate of a deceased resident in cases involving death.
Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases
When Oklahoma nursing home abuse or neglect occurs, multiple parties may share responsibility for the harm caused. Liability depends on the circumstances of the case and the actions—or inactions—of those involved. Identifying all liable parties is essential to ensure victims and their families receive fair compensation for the damages.
Nursing Home Facilities
The facility is often held liable for abuse or neglect. Facilities may be responsible for failing to screen or train staff properly, maintaining inadequate staffing, or neglecting to address known safety hazards. For example, an understaffed nursing home may contribute to neglect incidents, such as malnutrition or dehydration.
Nursing Home Staff Members
Individual staff members can also be held accountable for abusive or negligent behavior. This includes caregivers who engage in physical abuse or fail to provide care, leading to harm. For instance, a nursing home staff member who ignores a resident’s medical needs, resulting in severe pressure ulcers, can be found liable for the neglect.
Third-Party Contractors
Facilities sometimes rely on outside contractors, such as medical professionals or maintenance workers, to perform certain services. If these third parties act negligently—for example, by mismanaging medications or failing to address safety issues—they can also be liable.
Corporate Owners
If the facility is part of a larger corporation, the parent company may bear responsibility for systemic issues that lead to abuse or neglect. For example, a corporation prioritizes profits over resident care by cutting budgets or reducing staff may be held accountable for the harm caused to residents.
Other Residents
In some cases, abuse may come from other residents within the facility. While the perpetrator may be liable, the facility can also be held responsible for failing to supervise residents or intervene when abusive behavior occurs.
How Our Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help
At Nursing Home Law Center, our Edmond nursing home abuse lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of residents and their families. With years of experience handling abuse and neglect cases, we understand the emotional and financial toll these situations can take.
Our team is committed to holding nursing homes accountable and securing the compensation your family deserves.
Free Case Evaluation
We offer a free consultation to help you understand your legal options. During this consultation, a nursing home abuse lawyer will listen to your concerns, read medical records, review the circumstances of the abuse or neglect, and guide you on how to proceed. This step is entirely confidential, and you are not obligated to move forward unless you choose.
Case Investigation
Our nursing home abuse lawyers conduct a thorough investigation into your case. This includes gathering medical records, interviewing witnesses, reviewing facility policies, and examining any evidence of neglect or abuse. We work to uncover the truth and build a strong case on your behalf, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Filing the Claim
Once we’ve gathered the necessary evidence, we will prepare and file your nursing home neglect claim. This includes submitting all required documentation and legal filings within Oklahoma’s statutes of limitations. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer will handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your elderly loved ones’ well-being.
Settlement Negotiation
Most nursing home abuse lawyers resolve cases through settlements. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and legal representatives for nursing homes. We work tirelessly to secure a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, emotional damage, and other damages caused by abuse or neglect.
Trial Representation
Our nursing home neglect attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached. With a proven track record in court, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf to hold the responsible parties accountable. We aim to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents
There are 47 Medicare-approved nursing homes in Edmond, 22 of which (nearly 47%) have received an overall score rated as “below average” or “much below average,” raising concerns about the quality of care provided.
Regarding health inspections, 21 (45%) are rated below average, reflecting widespread deficiencies in maintaining safe and compliant environments for residents. Similarly, 45% of facilities are rated below average in staffing, indicating potential issues with understaffing or inadequately trained personnel, which can directly impact resident care.
Quality measures—a key indicator of outcomes like resident health and well-being—also present troubling statistics, with 28% (13 out of 47) receiving a below-average score. [1]
Recognizing the signs of elder abuse is crucial to protecting residents from further harm. Abuse or neglect can manifest in various physical, emotional, and behavioral changes, many of which may be subtle. Here are some common examples to watch for:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones
- Bed sores due to prolonged immobility and lack of attention from nursing home staff
- Frequent falls
- Marks or injuries caused by unnecessary or excessive physical restraint
- Withdrawal or depression
- Fear or anxiety around certain staff members
- Uncharacteristic anger or agitation
- Bruising or injuries in sensitive areas
- Unexplained infections or sexually transmitted diseases
- Fearfulness or reluctance to be touched
- Unkempt appearance, dirty clothing, or strong odors indicate inadequate personal care
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Delayed or missed medications, leading to worsening conditions
- Residents found outside the facility without supervision or assistance
- Unexplained withdrawals or changes to financial accounts
- Jewelry, cash, or other valuables disappear without explanation
- Evidence of unauthorized changes to financial documents or legal agreements
The worst-rated nursing homes in Edmond include:
Accel at Crystal Park | Baptist Village of Oklahoma City |
Edmond Health Care Center | Heritage at Brandon Place Health & Rehabilitation |
Heritage Park | Landmark of Midwest City Rehabilitation and Nursin |
Meadowlake Estates | Northwest Nursing Center |
Ranchwood Nursing Center | Sienna Extended Care & Rehab |
South Pointe Rehabilitation and Care Center | Thunder Care and Rehabilitation |
Windsor Hills Nursing Center |
The Cost of Hiring an Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
At Nursing Home Law Center, we understand that family members facing nursing home abuse are already dealing with emotional and financial stress. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs or legal fees for a nursing home abuse lawyer unless we successfully recover your compensation.
You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Edmond
In Oklahoma, there is a statute of limitations that limits how long you have to file a nursing home abuse and neglect claim. Generally, victims and their families must file a claim within two years from the date of the abuse or neglect.
Failing to file within this time frame may result in losing the right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong the case. To ensure you don’t miss this critical deadline, consult an Edmond nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact an Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!
At Nursing Home Law Center, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys has a proven track record of advocating for victims of abuse and neglect. Every lawyer brings years of experience in personal injury law to the table.
We are dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes accountable and securing the compensation your family deserves. From conducting detailed investigations to negotiating settlements or representing you in court, we provide compassionate and skilled legal support every step of the way.
If your family member has suffered from abuse or neglect in an Edmond long-term care facility, don’t wait to take action. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let us help you protect your loved one and pursue justice.
Call us at (800) 926-7565, or fill out our contact form
References: [1] Medicare