When families place their loved ones in nursing homes, they expect them to receive the highest standard of care and to be treated with respect and dignity. Sadly, nursing home abuse is a serious issue, and many elderly residents in Little Rock, Arkansas, fall victim to mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation.
Nursing home abuse can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims and their families.
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse in a nursing home, it’s essential to seek legal help from a knowledgeable Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyer. With the right legal representation, you can hold the negligent facility and its staff accountable and secure compensation for the harm caused.
At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of managing these cases with care, consistently securing substantial settlements and verdicts.
We carry out detailed investigations to cover every aspect of the abuse, ensuring that medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages are thoroughly addressed. With our extensive experience in nursing home abuse cases, we handle legal challenges efficiently and work tirelessly to safeguard your rights.
Throughout the process, we offer compassionate, clear communication, ensuring you and your family stay informed, protected, and reassured at every stage.
Nursing home abuse refers to any harm caused to residents due to neglect, exploitation, or intentional harm by caregivers or staff members in a nursing home setting. This abuse can occur in many forms, affecting the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of nursing home residents.
Our Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyers handle a wide range of abuse cases, including:
Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that results in injury, pain, or impairment. This can include hitting, slapping, pushing, or the improper use of restraints. Residents in assisted living facilities may experience physical abuse if caregivers use restraints unnecessarily, causing broken bones or unexplained injuries.
If you notice unexplained bruises or signs of physical assault on your loved one, they may be suffering from physical abuse in a nursing home.
Mental and emotional abuse occurs when caregivers or staff members subject long-term care facility residents to threats, insults, intimidation, or isolation. Emotional abuse can lead to severe psychological harm, such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress.
Residents who are emotionally abused often show signs of withdrawal, fear, or sudden changes in mood or behavior.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes involves any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, including inappropriate touching, assault, or harassment. Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to this type of abuse due to physical or cognitive impairments.
Signs that a resident may have been sexually abused include unexplained bruising in sensitive areas, torn clothing, or changes in behavior around certain staff members.
Medical malpractice in assisted living facilities includes neglecting residents’ medical care, leading to issues such as bed sores (pressure ulcers), medication errors, or infections. Bed sores are a common sign of neglect in a long-term care facility and occur when residents are not regularly repositioned.
These painful wounds can lead to infections and serious health complications if left untreated. In addition, medication errors, such as providing the wrong dosage, can result in dangerous health consequences for residents.
Negligence in nursing homes occurs when caregivers fail to provide adequate care, leading to harm or injury. This can include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or elopement (when a resident wanders off without supervision).
Neglect can result in serious health problems, including weight loss, infections, and physical injuries. If your loved one is not being properly cared for, they may be a victim of nursing home neglect.
Financial abuse involves the exploitation of elderly residents’ finances by staff members or others in the long-term care facility. This can include stealing money, manipulating residents into changing their wills or bank accounts, or using their finances without permission.
Family members should be on the lookout for signs of financial exploitation, such as sudden changes in bank accounts or missing personal belongings.
In cases where nursing home negligence leads to the death of a resident, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs, and the emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one.
Our Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyers are experienced in handling wrongful death cases and can help families pursue justice for their loved ones.
Nursing home residents have specific rights under both federal and state laws that protect them from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
One of the most important federal laws protecting residents is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which ensures that all residents in nursing homes receiving Medicare or Medicaid receive quality care. The act outlines the rights of residents to be free from abuse and neglect, receive proper medical care, and have their privacy and dignity respected.
In Arkansas, nursing homes must also comply with state regulations that protect the rights of elderly residents in long-term care facilities. These laws require nursing homes to provide a safe environment, adequate medical care, and protection from financial exploitation. If these rights are violated, nursing home residents or their family members can take legal action.
Several parties can file a claim in cases of nursing home negligence. Nursing home residents who have been abused have the right to file a claim for damages. If the resident is unable to do so, family members or legal guardians can file on their behalf.
In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members may file a claim to seek compensation for their loss. By filing a claim, victims and their families can hold the responsible parties accountable and recover compensation for the harm caused.
In nursing home abuse cases, multiple parties can be held liable for the harm caused. Liability is not limited to the individual who committed the abuse but may extend to the facility and its administrators as well. Below are examples of parties that may be held accountable:
Our nursing home abuse attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving elder abuse, neglect, and wrongful death. We are committed to helping victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve. Here’s how we can assist you:
Out of the 37 Medicare-approved nursing homes in Little Rock, AR, 22 facilities (59%) have an overall rating of “below average” or “much below average.”
When it comes to health inspections, 24 nursing homes (65%) received a low score, indicating significant concerns in this area. 17 nursing homes (46%) have inadequate staffing levels, and five facilities (14%) rated poorly in quality measures. [1]
Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect is essential for protecting your loved ones. Common signs to watch for include:
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of elder abuse, take the following steps:
When pursuing a nursing home negligence or abuse claim, victims and their families may recover several types of damages, depending on the nature and severity of the abuse.
These cover the quantifiable financial losses caused by the abuse or neglect. Examples include:
These are meant to compensate for the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse. Examples include:
In cases where the abuse was particularly malicious or reckless, the court may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the responsible parties and deter future misconduct. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim directly but to hold the wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
At our law firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. This allows you to seek justice without worrying about upfront legal costs.
In Little Rock, like the rest of Arkansas, there is a limited time in which you can file a nursing home negligence or abuse lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and it sets a strict deadline for taking legal action.
For most elder abuse cases in Arkansas, the statute of limitations is three years from the date the abuse or neglect occurred or when it was discovered. Failing to file within this period may result in losing your right to pursue compensation.
If you or a loved one has been abused or has experienced neglect in a nursing facility, it’s crucial to take immediate legal action. At Nursing Home Law Center, our experienced team of attorneys has a proven track record in handling nursing home abuse cases and successfully securing compensation for victims and their families.
We understand the emotional and financial toll these situations take, and we are here to provide compassionate, knowledgeable guidance every step of the way.
Call us at (800) 926-7565, or fill out our contact form.
References: [1] Medicare