Green Bay Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious issue affecting vulnerable elderly residents in Green Bay and across Wisconsin. Families place their trust in assisted living facilities and other retirement communities to provide a safe living environment and quality care for their loved ones. 

Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes broken, raising serious concerns about how to protect elderly residents, hold the responsible parties accountable, and prevent further harm. Seeking legal help from an experienced Green Bay nursing home lawyer is essential to achieving these goals. 

A skilled attorney can investigate the situation, file a nursing home abuse claim, and fight for compensation to address the harm caused.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to helping victims of nursing home abuse secure fair compensation. Our law firm has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse cases with care and achieving significant settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Our Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers conduct thorough investigations to uncover every aspect of the abuse or neglect, addressing damages such as medical expenses, emotional suffering, and other losses. With our deep knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we work tirelessly to hold negligent facilities and individuals accountable while protecting your rights.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Green Bay Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse occurs when nursing home staff members, caregivers, or other individuals intentionally harm or fail to provide proper care to elderly patients. This mistreatment can take many forms, causing physical, emotional, and financial harm to nursing home patients. 

Our nursing home abuse lawyers handle a wide variety of abuse and neglect cases to ensure victims and their families receive the justice they deserve.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves intentional acts of bodily harm, such as hitting, slapping, or the inappropriate use of physical restraints.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Psychological abuse occurs when staff inflict mental harm through threats, insults, or neglectful behavior. This type of abusive behavior can lead to depression, anxiety, and long-lasting emotional distress.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when a nursing home resident is subjected to unwanted sexual contact. Sexual harassment is a severe violation of the victim’s safety and dignity.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice in nursing facilities refers to inadequate medical care that harms residents. Common examples include untreated bedsores, medication errors like giving the wrong dosage or drug, and failure to treat medical conditions.

Negligence

Nursing home negligence occurs when staff fail to provide appropriate care, resulting in harm. Common examples include poor supervision, lack of assistance with daily activities, malnutrition, dehydration, or unsanitary living conditions.

Financial Abuse

Financial elder abuse involves exploiting a resident’s assets or finances, such as stealing money, forging documents, or coercing them into signing over property.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death occurs when nursing home neglect or abuse leads to the death of a resident. This loss could involve cases where staff failed to treat infections, provided improper supervision, or neglected the resident’s basic needs, resulting in fatal consequences.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents are entitled to specific legal protections under federal and state laws that ensure they receive adequate care in a safe living environment. These laws are designed to prevent abuse and neglect, hold nursing facilities accountable, and protect vulnerable adults who rely on these facilities for their well-being. 

Understanding these rights is crucial for families to advocate for their elderly residents and take appropriate action when violations occur.

Federal Protections Under the Nursing Home Reform Act

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 establishes key protections for any nursing home resident receiving Medicare or Medicaid services. This federal law ensures residents have the right to:

• Live in an environment free from emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
• Receive appropriate medical care, assistance, and attention to their personal needs
• Be treated with dignity and respect by staff and other patients
• Participate in decisions about their care, including the right to refuse treatment
• File complaints without fear of retaliation

Federal agencies enforce these protections through inspections, compliance reviews, and investigations of complaints.

State Laws Protecting Nursing Home Residents

Wisconsin law complements federal protections by requiring nursing home facilities to meet strict care standards. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services oversees compliance with state regulations, ensuring facilities provide quality care and promptly address complaints. 

Families can also work with Wisconsin’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents’ rights and helps resolve issues related to abuse and neglect.

Eligibility to File a Claim for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect 

When abuse and neglect occur, specific individuals are eligible to file a legal claim.

If physically and mentally capable, the resident can take legal action to address the harm they suffered. If the resident is unable to advocate for themselves, a family member or guardian can pursue a nursing home abuse and neglect claim on their behalf.

In wrongful death cases, the resident’s estate may file a claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

When nursing home abuse and neglect occur, multiple parties may share responsibility for the harm caused. Liability often depends on who had the duty to ensure the resident’s well-being and whether they failed. Identifying all responsible parties is crucial for holding them accountable and securing justice for nursing home patients and their families.

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

The nursing home or assisted living facility is often liable for systemic issues, such as inadequate staffing, lack of proper training, or failure to address known risks. For example, if a facility fails to maintain a safe environment, leading to a resident’s fall, it can be held accountable for the resulting injuries.

Nursing Home Staff Members

Caregivers and staff members may be directly responsible for acts of physical abuse, sexual assault, or psychological abuse. For instance, a staff member who intentionally harms a nursing home resident or neglects their basic needs can face personal liability for their actions.

Facility Administration

The facility’s administration is responsible for ensuring that staff are properly trained, supervised, and compliant with care standards. If the nursing home administrator ignores complaints, fails to investigate serious concerns, or allows dangerous conditions to persist, they can be held accountable for the harm caused.

Medical Providers

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals working in independent living facilities may be liable for medical malpractice, such as failing to treat infections, prescribing the wrong medication, or administering the wrong dose. 

For example, if a resident develops a severe infection due to untreated bedsores, the medical staff involved may share responsibility for the neglect.

Other Residents

In some cases, harm may come from other facility residents. For instance, if a resident harms another due to poor supervision or failure to separate individuals with known behavioral issues, the facility may be liable for not protecting vulnerable residents.

Product Manufacturers

If defective equipment, such as wheelchairs, bed rails, or lifts, contributes to a resident’s injury, the manufacturer may be held liable. For example, a malfunctioning lift chair that causes a fall could lead to a claim against the manufacturer.

How Our Green Bay Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are committed to advocating for victims of nursing home abuse and their families. With years of experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases, our dedicated Wisconsin elder abuse attorneys have successfully held negligent nursing home facilities accountable. 

We understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll that abuse and neglect can take on families, and we are here to provide skilled legal representation at every stage of your case.

Free Case Evaluation

We begin with a free consultation to evaluate your situation and answer your questions. During this meeting, our nursing home abuse lawyers review the facts of your case, identify potential legal options, and guide you on the best steps to take to protect your elderly loved one and seek justice.

Case Investigation

Our nursing home neglect attorneys conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth about what happened. We gather evidence, such as medical records, staff reports, and witness statements, to determine the extent of the abuse or neglect. 

This meticulous approach allows us to build a strong case against the responsible parties, whether it involves physical abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect cases.

Filing the Claim

Once the necessary evidence is collected, our law firm handles all aspects of filing your nursing home abuse claim. This step includes drafting legal documents, submitting them to the court, and ensuring your case complies with federal and Wisconsin law. Our team ensures that every detail is addressed to strengthen your case and protect your family member’s rights.

Settlement Negotiation

Many nursing home abuse cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. Our nursing home neglect lawyers are skilled negotiators who fight to secure fair compensation for your family member’s injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses. We work tirelessly to ensure that any settlement reflects the true extent of the harm caused.

Trial Representation

We are fully prepared to take your case to court if a settlement cannot be reached. Our attorneys provide skilled representation during trial, presenting compelling evidence and advocating for your family. We are committed to achieving a favorable verdict to hold the responsible parties accountable and provide fair compensation for your loved one.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Green Bay, there are a total of 15 Medicare-approved nursing homes. Of these, three facilities (20%) have an overall rating below or much below average. Specifically, two nursing homes (13%) fall short in health inspections, and five facilities (33%) have inadequate staffing. Only one facility (7%) was rated poorly regarding quality measures. [1]

The worst-rated nursing homes in Green Bay include:

Recognizing elder abuse in a nursing facility is essential to protect a nursing home resident from harm. Common signs include:

• Unexplained injuries
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers
• Poor personal hygiene
• Untreated medical conditions
• Social withdrawal
• Sudden mood changes
• Physical injuries in sensitive areas
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Missing personal belongings
• Unexplained financial transactions

The Cost of Hiring a Green Bay Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At Nursing Home Law Center, we understand that families facing nursing home abuse and neglect cases should not have to worry about the cost of legal representation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we successfully recover your compensation.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Green Bay

If you suspect that your elderly loved one has suffered harm due to nursing home abuse and neglect, it’s essential to act quickly due to Wisconsin’s statute of limitations. Generally, victims or their families have three years from the date the abuse or neglect occurred or was discovered to pursue legal action.

Contact a Green Bay Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to helping victims and their families secure fair compensation. Our experienced Wisconsin elder abuse attorneys have successfully handled numerous nursing home abuse and neglect cases, holding negligent nursing homes accountable for their actions. 

If you suspect abuse or neglect in a Green Bay nursing facility, don’t wait. Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney and take the first step toward protecting your elderly loved one’s well-being.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form to book a free consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer.

References: [1] Medicare