It is not always possible for family alone to provide the care their elderly loved ones need. Therefore, may people entrust their loved ones to nursing homes for the long-term care and medical supervision necessary. Nursing homes provide care to people with chronic illnesses or other conditions that do not allow them to complete daily tasks on their own. People confined to wheelchairs or beds who cannot feed themselves or take their pills can benefit from the care of a nursing home.

Nursing home abuse can be the physical or mental abuse of an elderly person. Additionally, abuse claims can stem from neglect in care or the inability to hire enough qualified staff, resulting in insufficient care. Nursing homes are subject to federal and state laws. When a caregiver at a nursing home or otherwise mentally or physically abuses an elder, or neglects to meet his or her needs, then the nursing home may be liable for nursing home abuse. Elder abuse laws are meant to prevent the abuse of the elderly and to penalize those who do. Signs of nursing home abuse or elder abuse can include:

  • bruises or other injuries
  • bedsores
  • dehydration or malnutrition
  • unclean conditions
  • lack of supervision
  • abandonment
  • poor personal hygiene
  • wrongful death
  • assault

Determining Liability in Nursing Home Abuse Claims

Elder abuse can result in criminal charges, such as fines or jail time. Civil lawsuits can require the offender to pay money damages in order to compensate for losses. A review of medical records will be necessary in any nursing home abuse claim. Family members, friends, visitors and other witnesses will need to be interviewed. The level of abuse, any potential patterns of neglect and/or abuse as well as whether injuries can be proven to have been caused by the negligence of the care facility and caregivers involved will be important in determining the amount of damages your loved one can receive.

Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Trusting a loved one to a nursing home is often an emotional decision and can be traumatic if it is discovered that the nursing home breached that trust. Witson Law offers free personal injury consultations to answer your questions regarding your nursing home abuse case and to discuss your legal options. We will take whatever time is necessary during your initial consultation to listen to you and the facts of your nursing home injury case at no charge to you. We take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no out of pocket expenses and do not need to pay us unless we win your case. Schedule your free consultation with a Phoenix nursing home abuse lawyer now – (602) 358-8686.