Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a severe issue affecting vulnerable seniors across Las Vegas. Many nursing homes and assisted living facilities fail to provide the proper care that elderly residents need and deserve, which can lead to physical, emotional, and financial harm.

For victims of nursing home abuse and their families, seeking legal help from an experienced Las Vegas nursing home abuse lawyer is essential. A skilled attorney can help investigate the case, hold negligent nursing homes accountable, and secure the compensation victims deserve for their injuries and suffering.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to securing compensation for those affected by nursing home neglect and abuse. Our experienced legal team has a strong history of handling these cases with care and achieving substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We perform comprehensive investigations to ensure that every aspect of the abuse, including medical costs, emotional suffering, and other damages, is fully addressed. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we efficiently manage each case and work tirelessly to defend your rights.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing facility abuse refers to the mistreatment or neglect of residents, often resulting in serious harm or injury. This abuse can take many forms, and our law firm is experienced in handling various cases to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves intentional acts of violence or harm against residents. This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or improper use of restraints, which can lead to severe injuries like broken bones.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental abuse occurs when a resident is subjected to verbal threats, humiliation, or intimidation, causing emotional distress. Residents who experience psychological abuse may withdraw from social activities, show fear of certain staff members, or develop mental health issues.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. This includes inappropriate touching, sexual assault, or exploitation. Victims of this type of abuse often feel ashamed or afraid to report the abuse, but signs may include unexplained injuries to sensitive areas or sudden behavioral changes.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when medical professionals fail to provide proper medical care, leading to harm. This can include bedsores (pressure ulcers), medication errors, or failure to properly diagnose or treat a medical condition.

Negligence

Nursing home negligence happens when residents do not receive the proper care they need. This can include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or elopement (when residents wander off unsupervised). Neglect often occurs due to inadequate staffing or poor training of nursing home workers, leading to dangerous conditions for residents.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse involves the exploitation of a resident’s finances or property. This can include unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts, theft of personal belongings, or manipulation to change wills or other legal documents.

Wrongful Death

In some cases, abuse or neglect results in the wrongful death of a resident. This can happen due to severe negligence, medical malpractice, or intentional harm. Losing a loved one due to nursing home abuse is devastating, and our law firm is committed to helping families pursue justice and compensation for their tragic loss.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Residents are entitled to legal protections under federal and state laws, which ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being while living in care facilities. These laws are designed to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation and hold nursing homes accountable for failing to meet required standards of care.

One of the most important federal laws safeguarding residents is the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987. This law ensures that all residents have the right to receive proper care, maintain their privacy, and live free from abuse and neglect. 

Nursing homes must meet specific standards to ensure that residents’ medical, physical, and emotional needs are met, including providing adequate care, preventing neglect, and protecting residents from abuse.

In Nevada, residents are further protected under state-specific regulations enforced by the Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health. These laws establish additional oversight for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, requiring proper staffing, reporting of abuse, and ensuring that residents receive quality care.

Eligibility to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim 

If the Las Vegas nursing home resident is mentally and physically capable, they can file a personal injury claim for any mistreatment or harm they have experienced.

Suppose the resident cannot take legal action due to physical or cognitive limitations. In that case, a legal guardian or immediate family members (such as a spouse, child, or other close relative) can file a nursing home abuse case on their behalf.

If a resident died due to nursing home abuse or elder neglect, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death claim.

A nursing home abuse attorney can help you determine if you’re one of the family members eligible to file a claim.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

In nursing home neglect and abuse cases, several parties can be held liable for the harm caused to residents. Abuse and neglect often occur due to systemic failures within the facility, meaning that responsibility may fall on multiple individuals or entities.

• Nursing Facility: The nursing home may be liable for failing to provide adequate care, not properly training or supervising staff, or allowing dangerous conditions to persist.
• Nursing Home Staff Members: Individual workers, including caregivers, nurses, and other staff, may be directly responsible for committing abuse or neglect.
• Administrators and Management: In many cases, the nursing home’s management or administrators may be liable for creating an environment where abuse or neglect occurs. This can happen when managers fail to train staff properly, ignore reports of abuse, or allow unsafe practices to continue.
• Medical Professionals: Medical professionals (including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers) can be held liable in cases involving medical malpractice. Nursing home residents are entitled to proper medical treatment, and when professionals fail to provide adequate care, they may be responsible for resulting injuries.
• Third-Party Contractors: Nursing facilities sometimes use third-party contractors for services such as physical therapy, rehabilitation, or facility management. If these contractors fail to provide appropriate care or engage in abusive behavior, they can also be held liable in a nursing home abuse claim.
• Owners and Operators: A care facility’s owners and operators may be liable if their policies or financial decisions directly contribute to the abuse or neglect of residents. This is often the case when cost-cutting measures, such as reducing staff or minimizing staff training, lead to unsafe conditions.

How a Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help

At Nursing Home Law Center, we have extensive experience representing victims of elder abuse and nursing home negligence throughout Las Vegas. Our dedicated team of attorneys has a proven track record of holding negligent nursing homes accountable and securing substantial settlements and verdicts.

Free Consultation

We offer a free initial consultation to assess your situation and determine whether you have a valid claim. During this consultation, our experienced elder abuse attorneys will listen to your concerns, review the details of the potential abuse or neglect, and explain your legal options.

Case Investigation

Our team conducts a thorough case investigation to gather evidence to support your claim. This includes reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, examining nursing home staff members’ actions, and identifying injuries or other signs of abuse.

Filing the Claim

Once we’ve gathered sufficient evidence, we handle all aspects of filing the claim on your behalf. This includes preparing the necessary legal documents, meeting deadlines, and ensuring the claim is filed with the appropriate court.

Settlement Negotiation

Many nursing home abuse cases are resolved through settlement negotiations. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who will fight for a settlement that reflects the full extent of the harm your loved one has suffered. We work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other damages.

Trial Representation

Our Nevada nursing home abuse lawyers are fully prepared to represent you or a family member in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. With extensive experience in trial representation, we will present a compelling case, utilizing expert testimony and evidence to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Las Vegas, there are a total of 42 Medicare-approved nursing home facilities. Of these, 12 (28.6%) received an overall score of “below average” or “much below average.”  

When focusing on health inspections, 13 facilities (31%) received low scores. Seventeen facilities (40.5%) have inadequate staffing levels, and eight Las Vegas nursing homes (19%) rated poorly in quality measures. [1]

Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home neglect and abuse is critical for protecting the well-being of your loved ones.

• Unexplained injuries
• Frequent hospital visits
• Marks from restraints
• Sudden behavioral changes
• Depression or anxiety
• Fear of caregivers
• Unexplained infections
• Bedsores
• Poor hygiene
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Unexplained financial transactions
• Missing belongings
• Increased agitation or mood swings
• Loss of interest in social activities

The worst-rated nursing homes in Las Vegas include:

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect that your elderly family member is being abused in an assisted living facility, it’s critical to act quickly to protect them and hold the responsible parties accountable. Here are the steps you should take if you suspect nursing home abuse:

Call 911 if Immediate Danger is Present

If your loved one is in immediate danger or has suffered severe physical harm, call 911 right away. Emergency services can provide medical assistance and remove your loved one from harm’s way.

Report Nursing Home Abuse to the Facility Administrator or Management

Notify the care facility administrator or facility management about your concerns. They are required to address reports of abuse and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of residents. Be sure to document any conversations with management, including dates, times, and the people involved.

File a Complaint with Your Local Ombudsman’s Office

The Ombudsman’s office plays a vital role in advocating for residents’ rights. They investigate complaints related to elder abuse and nursing home negligence and work to resolve issues between residents and care facilities.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Consulting with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney is one of the most critical steps. A lawyer can help you understand your legal options, investigate the abuse, and take action to hold the facility accountable.

Contact a Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

At Nursing Home Law Center, our Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorneys have a long history of successfully representing victims of elder abuse and nursing home negligence. We are dedicated to holding negligent Las Vegas nursing homes and care facilities accountable for the harm they cause to vulnerable residents. 

With our thorough investigations and skilled legal representation, we have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for nursing home abuse victims and their families.

If you suspect that your elderly loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Las Vegas nursing home, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

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

References: [1] Medicare