Nashville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When you trust a nursing home with your loved one’s long-term care, you count on the facility to provide them with the care and treat them with the dignity they deserve. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes uphold their commitment to high standards of care, leading to instances of nursing home abuse and neglect. This treatment harms some of our society’s most vulnerable members and causes untold physical, emotional, and financial harm to victims and their loved ones.
At Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we feel families’ distress and anger when they discover their loved one suffered harm due to the negligence or ill intent of nursing home staff. Our Nashville nursing home abuse lawyers are dedicated to advocating for the rights of vulnerable elders and holding negligent facilities accountable. If your loved one experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, contact us right away to discuss your legal options in a free initial consultation.
Why You Need a Nashville Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Dealing with the legal aftermath of nursing home abuse can be overwhelming for families already coping with the emotional distress of their loved one’s suffering. You should have the space to focus on healing. That’s why you should turn to a Nashville nursing home abuse attorney to manage your claim.
Your lawyer will approach your case with the care and attention to detail it deserves. They understand the state and federal regulations that govern nursing homes and long-term care facilities. They will gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and build the strongest case possible on your family’s behalf.
Working with an attorney also increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. They’ll bring their negotiation skills to the table when confronting insurance companies and the nursing home’s legal team to secure fair compensation for your family. By entrusting your case to a skilled attorney, you take a significant step toward protecting your loved one’s rights and securing the justice they deserve.
Contact Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Nashville
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that affects thousands of elderly individuals across the United States. A study reported on by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that a shocking two-thirds of nursing home staff members reported that they had committed abuse in the past year.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, all of which can have devastating consequences for the victim, including physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even death:
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Elder abuse victims may not be likely to communicate with friends and family about what they have been through for many reasons. For example, they may feel isolated or ashamed. In some cases, they may lack the capacity to communicate their experience or to understand what’s happened. For these reasons, family members should pay close attention to their loved one’s appearance, behavior, and living conditions to recognize potential signs of abuse. Some signs to watch for include:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or injuries
- Sudden weight loss or malnutrition
- Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
- Bedsores or pressure ulcers
- Unusual changes in behavior or mood
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Sudden changes in financial status
- Unexplained fear or anxiety around certain staff members
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents
Nursing home residents are entitled to a high standard of care and have specific legal rights to protect them from abuse and neglect. Nursing homes must provide services to maintain the highest physical, mental, and social well-being of each resident. In Tennessee, nursing home residents’ rights include the right to:
- A safe, clean living environment
- Be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
- Appropriate medical and nursing care
- Participate in their care plan
- Information
- Privacy
- Be treated with respect and courtesy
- Have visitors and communicate with people of their choice
- Voice grievances without fear of retaliation
- Participate in their community
What to Do if You Suspect Your Loved One Is Experiencing Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe your loved one may be experiencing nursing home abuse, you must act quickly to protect their health, safety, and well-being:
- Document any signs or symptoms of abuse, including physical injuries, changes in behavior, or unusual financial activity
- Speak with your loved one privately, if possible, to get their account of what has been happening
- Report your concerns to the nursing home administration and request an immediate investigation
- Contact local authorities to file a formal complaint
- Seek medical attention for your loved one to address any immediate health concerns
- Contact a Nashville nursing home abuse attorney to understand your legal options and take steps to hold the responsible parties accountable
Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Victims
Victims of nursing home abuse and their families may be entitled to various forms of compensation to address the harm they have suffered. This compensation may cover:
- Medical expenses incurred due to the abuse, including hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional distress caused by the abuse
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
- Any financial exploitation that occurred
Pursuing compensation not only helps alleviate the financial burden of abuse, but also serves to hold negligent facilities accountable, which may contribute to the prevention of future abuse.
Pursuing a Nursing Home Abuse Claim
If you suspect that your loved one has experienced abuse or neglect in a Nashville nursing home abuse, contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer right away. Under Tennessee law, you have just one year to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your loved one’s abuse, and a lawyer with experience handling similar cases will know what needs to be done to file the necessary paperwork on time.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect from the process of filing a nursing home abuse claim:
Initial Consultation 1
The process begins with an initial consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer. During this meeting, you will discuss the details of your case, and the lawyer will assess the viability of your claim.
Investigation 2
The lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation, gathering evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and any relevant documentation from the nursing home. This step is necessary for building a strong case.
Filing the Complaint 3
Once they’ve collected sufficient evidence, the lawyer will file a formal complaint against the nursing home and any other responsible parties. This document outlines the allegations and the basis for the claim.
Settlement Negotiations 4
Many nursing home abuse cases are resolved through negotiation. Your lawyer will negotiate with the nursing home’s legal team to reach a fair settlement that compensates your loved one for their injuries and losses.
Filing a Lawsuit 5
If the at-fault parties won’t offer an acceptable settlement, your lawyer may file a lawsuit, which signals their intention to fight for justice in court. Filing a lawsuit is often sufficient to get the opposing parties back to the negotiating table. They may be more willing to settle to avoid an expensive and drawn-out court proceeding.
Trial 6
If the case proceeds to trial, your lawyer will present the evidence and argue your case before a judge or jury, seeking a verdict in your favor.
Throughout this process, having an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer on your side gives you peace of mind knowing that your case is being handled with the highest level of care and professionalism, which increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Your attorney will keep you informed and updated at every stage of the legal process and help you understand your rights and options.
Contact a Nashville Nursing Home Abuse Attorney at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC Today
If your loved one experienced abuse or neglect in a Nashville nursing home, you deserve aggressive legal representation that will fight to hold the perpetrator accountable and compensate your family for the resulting injuries and losses. Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC has significant experience advocating for families in these difficult and traumatic situations, and we’re committed to managing your claim and pursuing the full compensation you need and deserve. Contact us online or call us at 615-676-7060 to get started with a free consultation.