Covington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes are meant to provide care and protection to elderly residents, yet many senior citizens experience abuse or neglect at the hands of staff members. It’s essential for victims and their loved ones to seek the help of an experienced Covington nursing home abuse attorney. 

A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you take legal action, protect your loved one, and hold those responsible for nursing home abuse accountable.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and compensation for nursing home abuse victims. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of managing abuse cases with care and securing substantial settlements and verdicts.

We carry out detailed investigations to cover all elements of abuse, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we handle the complexities of these cases efficiently and work relentlessly to defend your rights.

We offer compassionate and clear guidance throughout the legal process, ensuring you and your loved ones remain informed, protected, and confident at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Covington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to any harmful or negligent treatment of elderly residents in nursing homes. This abuse can come in many forms, each with devastating consequences for the victims. Our Covington nursing home abuse lawyers handle a wide range of cases, including:

Physical Abuse

This includes any use of force that results in injury, pain, or impairment. Physical abuse can involve hitting, slapping, shoving, or the use of restraints. Fractures, bruises, and other signs of trauma are common indicators of this type of abuse.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Elderly residents may suffer from psychological abuse, which includes verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, or isolation from their loved ones or other residents. Emotional abuse can cause severe mental anguish and distress, leading to anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from social activities.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. Vulnerable residents may experience severe injury and emotional trauma from such abuse, which can go unnoticed unless adequately investigated.

Medical Malpractice

Medical errors such as bedsores, medication mistakes, or misdiagnoses are common forms of nursing home abuse. Bedsores are particularly concerning as they indicate a lack of proper care, while medication errors can lead to severe health complications.

Negligence

Negligence occurs when nursing home staff members fail to provide residents with adequate care, leading to poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or elopement (when a resident leaves the facility unsupervised). Neglect can result in severe injury or wrongful death.

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation is another form of nursing home abuse, where staff members or others take advantage of a resident’s financial resources. This may involve stealing money, forging signatures, or coercing residents into changing legal documents.

Wrongful Death

In extreme cases, nursing home abuse leads to the wrongful death of a resident. If your family member has died due to neglect or abuse in a Covington nursing home, our nursing home abuse lawyers can help you file a wrongful death claim.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home patients are protected by federal and state laws, such as the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which guarantees the right to quality care, safety, and dignity. Indiana state laws also safeguard residents from abuse and neglect.

Eligibility to File a Claim 

Victims of nursing home abuse, their family members, or legal guardians have the right to file a civil lawsuit against negligent nursing homes. If you believe a loved one is experiencing abuse, our personal injury attorneys can help you explore your legal options.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

Several parties can be held liable for nursing home abuse, depending on the circumstances of the case. These parties include:

• Nursing Home Staff: Individuals responsible for the daily care of residents can be liable for abuse or neglect.
• Nursing Home Management: Management can be held accountable for failing to prevent abuse or neglect or for inadequate staffing and training.
• Third-Party Contractors: In some cases, contractors providing services to nursing homes may contribute to abuse or neglect, such as poorly trained medical staff.

Our Covington nursing home abuse lawyers will thoroughly investigate to determine which parties should be held accountable.

How Our Covington Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

At our law firm, we have extensive experience handling nursing home neglect cases. We offer a range of services to help victims and their loved ones pursue justice, including:

• Free Case Evaluation: We provide a free consultation to discuss your case and determine the best action.
• Case Investigation: Our personal injury attorneys will gather evidence, review medical records, and speak to witnesses to build a strong case.
• Filing the Claim: We will file a claim on your behalf, ensuring all legal requirements are met.
• Settlement Negotiation: Our team is skilled in negotiating settlements with liable parties and insurance companies.
• Trial Representation: If necessary, we will take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

Of Covington, Indiana’s 6 Medicare-approved nursing homes, 67% of facilities are struggling with their overall ratings. Specifically, 67% of nursing homes fall short in health inspections, and 67% of facilities have inadequate staffing. 33% of nursing homes rated poorly on quality measures. [1]

The worst-rated nursing homes in Convington, IN, include:

Nursing home abuse can be challenging to detect, but some common signs to look for include:

• Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Bedsores or infections
• Sudden weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration
• Emotional changes such as depression, anxiety, or withdrawal
• Poor personal hygiene or unclean living conditions
• Missing personal belongings or unusual financial transactions

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect nursing home abuse, take the following steps:

• Call 911 if the resident is in immediate danger.
• Report nursing home abuse or neglect to the facility administrator or management.
• File a complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for nursing home residents and can investigate reports of abuse.
• Contact a Covington personal injury lawyer to explore your legal possibilities and take the necessary steps to protect your loved one.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Victims of nursing home abuse, as well as their families, may be entitled to recover various types of damages through a personal injury claim. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages are quantifiable losses that can be directly calculated based on actual expenses. Examples include:

• Medical Expenses: The cost of treating injuries resulting from the abuse, including hospital bills, doctor visits, medication, rehabilitation, and any future medical care needed.
• Relocation Costs: If the resident needs to be moved to another facility due to the abuse, relocation expenses may be recovered.
• Lost Income: If the victim or their family members have to miss work to care for the abused resident, they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
• Funeral Expenses: In wrongful death cases, families may recover funeral and burial costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and compensate for the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse. These can include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress endured by the victim.
• Emotional Trauma: Damages for the mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the abuse.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the reduction in the quality of life experienced by the victim due to the abuse.
• Loss of Companionship: Family members may seek damages for the loss of companionship and emotional support, especially in wrongful death cases.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the abuse was particularly egregious or malicious. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent to prevent similar conduct in the future. Examples include:

• Gross Negligence or Intentional Harm: If the nursing home staff or facility acted with reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of the resident, punitive damages may be awarded.
• Systemic Neglect: In cases where the facility failed to provide basic care, leading to widespread abuse or neglect, punitive damages can be pursued.

The Cost of Hiring a Covington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At our law firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. This allows families to pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Covington

It’s essential to act quickly, as there is a statute of limitations for nursing home abuse cases in Indiana. This is the legal timeframe for filing a personal injury claim, usually two years. If you fail to file within this period, you may lose your right to seek compensation.

Contact a Covington Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If you believe your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, don’t wait. Contact our law firm for a free consultation and let our experienced Covington nursing home abuse lawyers help you seek justice. We are committed to protecting the rights of nursing home residents and ensuring they receive the care they deserve.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] Medicare