Parkersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes are trusted to provide compassionate, high-quality care for elderly residents, ensuring their safety and well-being. Sadly, abuse and neglect in these facilities remain a significant concern, with countless vulnerable individuals suffering due to the actions—or inactions—of those entrusted with their care.

For families, discovering that a loved one has endured harm in a nursing home is heartbreaking. Partnering with an experienced Parkersburg nursing home abuse lawyer is essential for holding negligent caregivers accountable. A qualified attorney can help investigate the case, ensure state laws are enforced, and pursue compensation to address the harm caused.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, we are dedicated to helping victims of nursing home abuse seek justice and fair compensation for the harm they have suffered. Our West Virginia nursing home neglect attorneys have a strong history of handling nursing home abuse cases with care and achieving favorable settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We perform comprehensive investigations to address every aspect of the abuse, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we work diligently to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and protect your rights.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Parkersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to any action or failure to act by caregivers that causes harm to residents. This mistreatment can take many forms, ranging from intentional physical harm to negligent care that jeopardizes the health and well-being of residents. 

Our experienced nursing home lawyers handle a wide variety of cases to ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse occurs when nursing home staff or other residents intentionally cause bodily harm to a resident. This physical mistreatment includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or improper use of physical restraints.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Elderly emotional abuse involves behavior that causes mental distress, such as verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation. Caregivers may yell at, mock, or intentionally ignore residents, leading to anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. Elderly residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments, are at increased risk of this malicious abuse. Common signs include fearfulness, unexplained injuries to sensitive areas, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when nursing homes fail to provide adequate medical care, leading to harm. Common examples include untreated bedsores, medication errors, or failure to address chronic conditions.

Negligence

Nursing home neglect occurs when staff members fail to meet the basic needs of residents. Negligent care can include poor hygiene, inadequate nutrition, dehydration, or lack of supervision, which can lead to elopement (wandering unsupervised).

Financial Abuse

Financial exploitation occurs when a resident’s assets or funds are misused or stolen. Examples include forging signatures, coercing residents into changing legal documents or stealing personal property. Families should be alert for unusual bank transactions, missing belongings, or changes to financial records.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death involves cases where facilities fail to provide proper care, resulting in fatal injuries. For example, an elderly resident may pass away due to untreated infections or malnutrition.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Federal and state laws protect nursing home residents in West Virginia, ensuring their safety, dignity, and access to proper care.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is a critical federal law designed to ensure that residents in nursing homes receiving Medicare or Medicaid services have access to high-quality care. This law guarantees residents the right to:

• Live in a safe and abuse-free environment
• Receive adequate medical care and have their needs met promptly
• Be treated with dignity and respect
• Make decisions about their care and voice complaints without fear of retaliation
• Participate in activities and have access to social engagement

The federal government oversees compliance with these protections through inspections and investigations, ensuring nursing homes adhere to required care standards.

West Virginia law also establishes specific rights and protections for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources monitors nursing homes, enforces state regulations, and investigates complaints of abuse and neglect. 

Families can also turn to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for the rights of nursing home residents and works to resolve issues related to care and safety.

Eligibility to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit 

If the victims are physically and mentally capable, they can file a claim to seek compensation for harm caused by abuse or neglect. If the elderly resident is unable to advocate for themselves, family members or their appointed guardian may file a claim on their behalf.

In cases of wrongful death, the resident’s estate can pursue a claim for damages, such as funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents

In Parkersburg, there are 16 Medicare-certified nursing facilities, with 12 centers (75%) rated below or much below average overall. Specifically, 11 facilities (69%) fall short in health inspections, and 12 centers (75%) have inadequate staffing levels. Seven facilities (44%) are rated poorly in quality measures. [1]

The worst-rated nursing homes in Parkersburg include:

Identifying elder abuse in a nursing home setting is critical for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents. Family members should remain vigilant for these common emotional and physical signs of elder abuse:

• Unexplained injuries
• Bed sores (pressure ulcers)
• Poor hygiene
• Sudden weight loss
• Fearfulness or anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Behavioral changes
• Missing personal items
• Unusual financial activity

Contact a Parkersburg Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

At Nursing Home Law Center, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of nursing home abuse hold negligent facilities accountable. Our law firm has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases and securing fair settlements and verdicts for elderly residents who have suffered harm. 

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront; we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. We also offer a free consultation, making it easy for families to explore their legal options without financial stress.

If you suspect abuse and neglect in a Parkersburg, West Virginia, nursing home, don’t wait. Contact us today to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney and take the first step toward pursuing justice for your elderly loved one.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form to consult our nursing home abuse lawyers.

References: [1] Medicare