Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a real issue that occurs all too often, with vulnerable residents suffering at the hands of those meant to protect them. If you or a loved one has experienced any form of elder abuse in a nursing facility in Jonesboro, it’s essential to seek legal help from a dedicated Jonesboro nursing home abuse attorney. 

Nursing Home Law Center can provide the support and guidance needed to pursue justice and recover damages for the harm caused.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to helping nursing home residents who have suffered abuse obtain justice and rightful compensation. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of successfully managing abuse cases with care and securing substantial settlements and verdicts. 

We carry out detailed investigations to cover every aspect of the abuse, from medical costs to emotional suffering and other damages. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse cases, we efficiently handle the legal challenges and relentlessly advocate for your rights.

Throughout the process, we offer compassionate and clear guidance, ensuring you and your family are well-informed, supported, and confident at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys 

Elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act by staff members or caregivers that causes harm to a nursing home resident. Abuse can take many forms, each with devastating effects on the victim. Our Jonesboro nursing home abuse attorneys are experienced in handling various types of abuse cases, including:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that causes injury, pain, or impairment to a nursing home resident. This may include hitting, slapping, shoving, or the improper use of restraints.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional abuse in nursing homes involves actions or words that cause psychological harm. This type of abuse can include threats, insults, intimidation, or isolation.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when a nursing home resident is sexually assaulted or harassed by staff members, other residents, or visitors. If a resident has been sexually abused, they may show signs such as unexplained bruising in sensitive areas, torn clothing, or changes in behavior.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice in nursing homes includes neglect or errors in providing proper medical care. This can result in bed sores (also known as pressure ulcers), medication errors, infections, and other preventable health problems.

Negligence

Negligence in nursing homes can take many forms, including poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and elopement (when a resident wanders away from the facility without supervision). Residents who suffer from neglect are at high risk of developing life-threatening conditions due to poor care.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when staff members or others take advantage of elderly patients by stealing their money, manipulating them into changing their will or using their finances without permission. Elderly residents in nursing homes may be vulnerable to financial exploitation due to cognitive impairments or trust in caregivers.

Wrongful Death

In cases where nursing home neglect or abuse leads to the death of a resident, a family member may file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death claims can provide compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, and the emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Nursing home residents have several legal rights under federal and state laws that protect them from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

One of the key pieces of federal legislation is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which mandates that nursing homes receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds must provide care that promotes the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of residents. 

Under this law, residents are entitled to quality care, the right to participate in their own healthcare decisions, freedom from abuse and restraints, and the right to privacy and dignity.

In addition to federal laws, Arkansas has its own regulations that govern the operation of nursing homes. 

For example, the state provides additional protections for elderly residents in long-term care facilities, ensuring that they receive adequate care and protection from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. These regulations set minimum staffing requirements, safety standards, and protocols for addressing complaints and suspected abuse.

When abuse occurs, multiple parties are eligible to file a claim. The nursing home resident, if able, has the right to file a claim for damages. 

If the resident is incapacitated or has passed away, family members, legal guardians, or estate representatives may file a claim on their behalf. In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members can seek compensation for their loss.

Liability in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases 

In nursing home abuse and neglect cases, multiple parties can be held liable depending on the circumstances of the abuse:

Here are some examples of who can be held liable in nursing home abuse cases:

• Nursing Home Facilities: The facility itself can be liable if it fails to provide a safe environment, hires unqualified staff, or neglects proper supervision and training.
• Staff Members: Individual employees, including caregivers, nurses, or aides, can be directly liable for abuse or neglect, such as physical assault, improper use of restraints, or failure to provide necessary care.
• Third-Party Contractors: Sometimes, outside contractors like healthcare providers or maintenance staff may be responsible for neglect or abuse. For example, if a contractor fails to properly maintain medical equipment, leading to injury, they could be held accountable.
• Administrators or Supervisors: Nursing home administrators and supervisors can be held liable if they fail to enforce policies that protect residents, overlook complaints, or fail to act on signs of abuse or neglect.

How Our Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our Jonesboro nursing home abuse attorneys have extensive experience representing victims and their families in cases involving elder abuse, nursing home neglect, and personal injury. We offer the following legal services to help you and your family through this challenging time:

• Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain the legal process. This is the first step toward understanding your rights and determining if you have a valid nursing home abuse lawsuit.
• Case Investigation: Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your claim by reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence of abuse or neglect. This investigation helps us build a strong case against those responsible for the harm.
• Filing the Claim: Once we have gathered the necessary evidence, we will file a claim on your behalf. This legal action seeks compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by the abuse.
• Settlement Negotiation: In many cases, nursing home abuse claims are settled before going to trial. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will work to secure a fair settlement that covers your damages.
• Trial Representation: If a settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. We will fight for your right to receive compensation through the legal system.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

In Jonesboro, there are 12 Medicare-certified nursing facilities, with four rated as below or much below average overall. Specifically, four homes fall short in health inspections, and one home has inadequate staffing levels. 5 facilities are rated poorly in quality measures. [1]

Recognizing the common signs of nursing home abuse is critical for protecting elderly residents from further harm. Abuse can take many forms—physical, emotional, sexual, and even financial—and often goes unnoticed unless family members are vigilant. Below are some common signs to watch for:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones;
• Sudden weight loss or dehydration;
• Poor hygiene or unclean living conditions;
• Bed sores or pressure ulcers;
• Changes in behavior, such as fear, anxiety, or withdrawal;
• Financial irregularities, such as missing money or changes to a will.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it’s essential to take immediate action:

• Call 911 if immediate danger exists;
• Report the abuse to the nursing home administrator or management to alert them of the issue;
• File a complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office;
• Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options and begin the process of filing a claim.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Through a nursing home abuse claim, victims and their families may recover various types of damages:

• Economic Damages: These cover measurable financial losses such as medical expenses for treating injuries, rehabilitation costs, and any necessary relocation to another facility. They may also include compensation for lost assets in cases of financial abuse.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for more subjective harm, such as emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering experienced due to abuse or neglect.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the abuse was particularly malicious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoers and deter future misconduct. These are meant to hold the liable parties accountable beyond compensating the victim for direct losses.

The Cost of Hiring a Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Attorney 

At our law firm, we handle nursing home abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our goal is to provide top-notch legal services without adding financial stress to you or your family.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Jonesboro

In Arkansas, you have a limited time to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. The statute of limitations typically requires that a claim be filed within a specific period after the abuse is discovered. Failing to act within this time frame can prevent you from seeking compensation, so it’s important to contact a Jonesboro nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.

Contact Our Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today!

If you or a loved one has suffered from abuse in a nursing facility, don’t wait to take action. Our experienced Jonesboro nursing home abuse lawyers are here to provide the legal help you need to hold the responsible parties accountable. 

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

References: [1] Medicare