North Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that affects senior citizens in North Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. Families trust nursing homes to provide a safe and respectful environment and compassionate care for their elderly loved ones. 

Yet, many residents experience physical abuse, neglect, emotional mistreatment, and even financial exploitation. This abuse can have devastating effects, leading to physical injuries, emotional trauma, and severe health complications.

Seeking assistance from an experienced North Las Vegas nursing home lawyer is essential for victims and their families. An attorney skilled in nursing home abuse cases can help investigate signs of mistreatment, gather evidence such as medical records, and hold the responsible parties accountable. 

Legal representation not only ensures justice and compensation for the victim but also helps to prevent future abuse by addressing nursing home negligence.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, our mission is to achieve justice and secure compensation for victims of nursing home abuse. Our dedicated legal team has a strong history of handling these cases with care, achieving substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We conduct in-depth investigations to address every facet of the abuse, from medical costs and emotional distress to other damages suffered. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we effectively manage the legal process and work tirelessly to defend your rights.

Throughout your case, we offer compassionate and clear guidance, ensuring you and your family feel supported, informed, and confident at each stage.

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

Nursing home abuse includes any actions or neglect that harm or exploit elderly residents in care facilities. This mistreatment can take many forms, impacting a resident’s physical health, mental well-being, and financial security. 

Our Nevada nursing home neglect attorneys are skilled in handling a variety of cases, helping families seek justice and obtain compensation.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that results in harm, injury, or discomfort for the nursing home resident. This bodily harm can include hitting, slapping, pushing, and the misuse of restraints.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can cause severe mental harm to residents and is often more challenging to detect because it leaves no physical marks. This type of abuse includes verbal insults, threats, humiliation, and isolation.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assault in an assisted living facility includes any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior directed at a resident. This abuse is particularly devastating because many residents are unable to defend themselves or communicate what has happened. Sexual abuse may involve inappropriate touching, forced nudity, or other sexual acts.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when nursing home staff fail to provide adequate medical care, leading to severe harm. Examples include untreated bedsores (pressure ulcers), medication errors, and the failure to address emerging health issues.

Negligence

Nursing home negligence involves failing to provide essential care, often resulting in harm to the resident. This neglect can include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and lack of supervision. Neglect can also lead to elopement, where residents with cognitive impairments wander away from the facility unsupervised, placing them in great danger.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse in an assisted living facility involves exploiting a resident’s economic resources for personal gain. This exploitation may include theft, coercion, or manipulation to access bank accounts or assets.

Wrongful Death

Untreated infections, severe falls, medication errors, or other failures in care may cause wrongful death. Families can pursue wrongful death claims to seek justice and hold the facility accountable for the tragic loss of their loved one.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Senior citizens have specific rights under federal and state laws designed to ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being in care facilities. These laws protect residents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation while guaranteeing their right to quality care. Knowing these rights is essential for families who want to advocate for the safety of their loved ones in nursing homes.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a fundamental federal law that sets minimum standards of care for nursing homes receiving federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid. Under this law, nursing home residents are entitled to:

• Freedom from abuse and neglect
• Dignity and respect
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Participation in care decisions
• Access to resources and family communication

In addition to federal laws, Nevada state laws further protect nursing home residents. The state requires North Las Vegas nursing homes to adhere to specific licensing standards, covering issues such as staffing, safety, and quality of care.

Nevada’s Division of Public and Behavioral Health regulates nursing homes, enforcing standards and investigating complaints of elder abuse. State law mandates that nursing homes maintain adequate staffing levels, provide essential care services, and ensure a clean and safe environment for all residents.

Nevada law also requires that North Las Vegas nursing homes report suspected elder abuse to state authorities, holding facilities accountable if they fail to report incidents. If a nursing home violates these standards, families can report the abuse or neglect to the state health department, which may investigate and penalize the facility.

Eligibility to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim 

In cases of nursing home abuse or neglect, specific individuals are legally allowed to file a claim to seek justice and compensation. These individuals may include:

• The Resident: If the resident is mentally and physically capable, they have the right to file a claim directly against the responsible parties for the harm they’ve endured.
• Family Members: If the resident is incapacitated or unable to file on their own, family members—such as spouses, children, or legal guardians—may file the claim on the resident’s behalf. This action is often necessary when the resident has dementia, cognitive impairments, or is otherwise vulnerable.
• Legal Representatives: If the resident has appointed a legal representative, such as a power of attorney or guardian, that representative has the authority to file a claim in the resident’s best interest.
• The Estate of a Deceased Resident: In cases where elder abuse has tragically led to the resident’s death, the estate’s executor or a close family member can file a wrongful death claim. This claim seeks compensation for the family’s loss and holds the nursing home accountable for the resident’s death.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be held responsible in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Liability often extends beyond the individual who directly caused harm, as the care facility, its supervisors, and even third-party contractors may share responsibility. 

Identifying all liable parties is essential to ensure justice and fair compensation for the victim.

Nursing Home Staff

Staff members are often the direct perpetrators of abuse or neglect, engaging in acts such as physical abuse, neglecting basic needs, or administering incorrect medication. For example, if a caregiver fails to reposition a bedridden resident, resulting in bedsores, that caregiver may be liable for elder neglect.

Nursing Home Operators and Administrators

Care facility operators and administrators are responsible for hiring, training, and supervising their staff. If abuse occurs due to inadequate staffing, poor hiring practices, or failure to address complaints, the nursing home operator may be held accountable. 

For instance, if the facility hires staff without conducting background checks, allowing an individual with a history of abuse to work with vulnerable residents, the facility can be liable for negligent hiring practices.

Medical Staff and Contractors

The nursing facility may rely on outside medical providers or contractors to administer care. When medical professionals fail to deliver appropriate care—such as administering incorrect medication or failing to treat a resident’s infection—they may be liable for medical malpractice. 

For example, if a resident’s health deteriorates due to missed medications or delayed treatment, the medical provider or contractor may be held accountable.

Maintenance and Housekeeping Services

Third-party contractors responsible for facility maintenance and housekeeping may share liability if unsafe or unsanitary conditions contribute to a resident’s injury or illness. 

For instance, if a housekeeping service fails to clean a wet floor, leading to a resident’s fall, they may be responsible for the injuries sustained.

Pharmaceutical Providers

In some cases, pharmaceutical providers supplying medication may be liable if improper or expired medications lead to harm. 

For example, if a resident receives incorrect medication due to a pharmacy error, resulting in adverse effects, the pharmaceutical provider may share liability in the case.

Nursing Facility Management and Supervisors

Management and supervisors overseeing staff operations have a duty to monitor and ensure resident safety. If they fail to address warning signs of abuse or complaints from family members, they can be held liable. 

For instance, if management repeatedly ignores reports of staff misconduct, allowing abuse to continue, they can be held responsible for failure to intervene.

How Our North Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

At Nursing Home Law Center, our attorneys have extensive experience in representing victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in North Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. 

We understand the complex and sensitive nature of these cases and are committed to helping families seek justice and compensation for their loved ones. Our legal team has a proven record of success in securing significant settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Free Case Evaluation

We begin with a no-obligation, free consultation where we review the details of your personal injury claim. This initial evaluation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, assess your legal options, and explain how we can help without any upfront costs. Our goal is to ensure families fully understand their rights and options from the start.

Case Investigation

Our attorneys conduct a thorough investigation into the abuse or neglect claims. This step includes gathering essential evidence, such as medical records, incident reports, and eyewitness statements. 

We work with experts to document and establish the facts of the case, ensuring every detail is accounted for. Our investigative process is designed to identify responsible parties and build a strong foundation for your claim.

Filing the Claim

Once we have gathered all the necessary information, we handle all aspects of filing the claim. We prepare and submit the legal documents in a timely manner, ensuring your claim is well-documented and follows all legal requirements. 

Filing the claim is a critical step toward holding the nursing home accountable and seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain, and emotional distress.

Settlement Negotiation

Many nursing home abuse cases can be resolved through settlement negotiations. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who work to achieve a fair settlement that reflects the extent of harm suffered by your loved one. 

We strive to secure financial compensation that can cover medical bills, emotional trauma, and other damages, providing peace of mind without the need for a lengthy trial.

Trial Representation

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are fully prepared to represent you in court. With extensive trial experience, we will present a compelling case to hold the nursing home and responsible parties accountable. Our legal team is dedicated to protecting your family’s rights and fighting for the best possible outcome, whether through settlement or trial.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

There are 42 Medicare-approved nursing homes in North Las Vegas. Eleven (26%) have an overall score rated below or much below average, indicating that a third of facilities fall short in overall quality.

The situation is similarly troubling in health inspections, where 12 nursing homes (29%) have below-average scores, reflecting issues in compliance with health and safety standards.

Staffing levels present another challenge, with 18 facilities (43%) rated poorly, suggesting potential inadequacies in caregiver availability and resident support. Nine nursing homes (21%) scored below average in quality measures, which assess how well residents’ needs are met. [1]

Elder abuse in nursing homes can often go unnoticed, especially when residents are hesitant to speak up or are unable to communicate their experiences. Families need to be aware of the warning signs, which may indicate different forms of abuse or neglect.

• Unexplained Injuries: Physical abuse may leave visible injuries, but these are often dismissed as accidents. Look for bruises, cuts, fractures, or burns that lack a clear explanation. For example, frequent bruises on the wrists or arms may suggest improper restraint use by staff members.
• Bedsores or Pressure Ulcers: Bedsores are often a clear sign of nursing home neglect, indicating that a resident has been left in one position for too long without proper repositioning.
• Sudden Weight Loss or Dehydration: If a resident shows signs of dehydration, such as dry skin and cracked lips, or experiences sudden weight loss, it may indicate elder neglect or inadequate food and water intake.
• Behavioral Changes: Psychological abuse can lead to drastic behavioral changes. If a resident who was previously social becomes withdrawn, anxious, or fearful, especially around certain staff members, it could indicate intimidation or verbal abuse.
• Poor Hygiene or Unsanitary Living Conditions: Signs of poor hygiene, such as dirty clothing, unwashed hair, or unchanged bed linens, may indicate neglect by the facility or staff. Nursing homes are required to maintain a clean environment and assist residents with hygiene; failing to do so may be a red flag.
• Financial Irregularities: If unauthorized transactions occur on a resident’s account or valuables go missing, it may indicate financial exploitation by a caregiver or another party.
• Social Isolation: If a resident is consistently excluded from social activities or seems isolated, it could indicate mental abuse or negligence. Caregivers may limit social interactions as a form of control, leading the victim to withdraw from other residents.

The worst-rated nursing homes in North Las Vegas include:

Contact a North Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

At Nursing Home Law Center, our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys have years of experience in personal injury claims, providing compassionate support and solid legal representation for victims and their families.

We are dedicated to holding negligent facilities accountable and securing fair compensation for the pain, suffering, and financial losses caused by elder abuse. With a proven track record of successful outcomes, our team is here to guide you through every step of the legal process, ensuring your loved one’s rights are fully protected.

Our commitment to a contingency fee structure allows families to seek justice for their loved ones without the worry of immediate legal costs. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options and take the first step toward justice for your elderly family member.

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

References: [1] Medicare