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

Free consultation

(615) 676-7060

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:

Physical abuse involves the use of physical force resulting in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. Examples include hitting, slapping, pushing, and improper use of restraints.
Emotional abuse includes verbal assaults, threats, harassment, and intimidation. It can also involve isolating an older person from friends and family or treating them in a way that causes emotional pain or distress.
Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. It can include unwanted touching, sexual assault, and coerced nudity.
Financial abuse occurs when someone illegally or improperly uses an elder’s money, property, or assets. It can include forging signatures, stealing possessions, or coercing the elder into signing documents.
Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide necessary care, leading to harm or the risk of harm. Examples of neglect can include inadequate hygiene, insufficient food or water, and lack of medical care.

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.

Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC

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.