YOUR ATTORNEYS AFTER A NURSING HOME ABUSE INJURY
A study recently released by the United States General Accounting Office has found that over 50% of suspicious nursing home deaths were tied to nursing home patient abuse and exploitation. While many of these deaths could have been prevented if the neglect had been discovered and reported at an earlier stage, it is an unfortunate fact that there are still many of these cases going unnoticed to this day.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, our Connecticut nursing home injury lawyers can help. The team of attorneys at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and obtain any compensation benefit that you may be entitled to. To find out more, call 800-PERKINS or send us an email. Your consultation and case evaluation are 100% FREE. With offices in Hartford, Bridgeport, New London, Waterbury, and New Haven, we service nursing home residents and their families throughout Connecticut.
Nursing home abuse has been called a hidden crime because it can be difficult to recognize. There is often a combination of reasons why these cases often go unreported, but a common reason is simply that the victim feels ashamed or embarrassed about being taken advantage of. In some instances, victims may also be afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. With this in mind, it is important for relatives and loved ones to be conscious of the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect and to be able to report what they observe to their local police department.
Watch For The Signs Of Nursing Home Patient Mistreatment
While many victims will go to great lengths to hide their injuries, there are some common signs of abuse and/or neglect that you can look for when visiting your loved one. Some of these signs include (but are not limited to):
- Unexplained injuries
- Untreated bedsores
- Fecal or urine odors
- Sudden behavioral changes
- Poor personal hygiene
- Lack of a reaction to pain
- Excessive or sudden weight loss
- Abrupt or unexplained changes in wills
- Missing money or possessions
- Listlessness
- Malnutrition
- Begging for food
- Burns or bruises
The Connecticut nursing home abuse attorneys from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers will strive to provide the best possible care to all their clients. We appreciate and are sympathetic to those that have suffered pain and discomfort due to the negligence and abuse by those that have been given permission to look after them. Simply put, we demand better treatment for the elderly, and our Connecticut nursing home abuse attorneys will pursue justice with your best interests at heart.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys FAQ
For more information on the legal rights that may be available to Connecticut nursing home abuse victims and their families or to schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation with an attorney at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, complete the free case evaluation form on this page.
What qualifies as “neglect” in a nursing home facility?
Neglect in a nursing home facility can be defined as the failure to provide a resident with the services necessary to their health and safety. This can include food, shelter, clothing, supervision, and proper medical care. Typically, the determining factor between neglect and abuse is if these failures were intentional or careless mistakes.
What should I do if I suspect that my loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home?
If you believe that your loved one may be a victim of abuse, do not ignore the situation. Confront it right away. It is recommended that you contact an attorney who is well-versed in Connecticut law to guide you on the best course of legal action. The sooner you begin exploring your legal options, the sooner you will be able to put an end to the abuse of your loved one and possibly other residents at the facility.
Are there legal ramifications for acts of neglect or abuse in a nursing home?
If your loved one has been a victim of neglect or abuse in a Connecticut nursing home facility, they are entitled to hire a private attorney who will file a civil lawsuit in order to recover damages for the violation of any of the resident’s rights. Additionally, abuse or neglect often results in an investigation and fining of the facility by an adult protective services agency, a civil cause for legal recourse on behalf of the abuse victim, and criminal prosecution to seek punitive damages in order to punish intentional and malicious conduct.
If a resident of a nursing home does not have a contract with the home, can they still sue the home for improper care?
Regardless of whether a resident has a contract with the facility, victims of abuse or their dependents (in the event of a wrongful death claim) can sue the home for improper care and negligence.
How long does it take to settle a Connecticut nursing home abuse injury claim?
It depends on the case, and how long it will take to settle. There is not a set time limit on how long a Connecticut nursing home injury claim can take. A claim can take anywhere from several weeks to several months for abuse victims to receive fair compensation and justice for their case. Negligence cases are typically complex and require extensive medical records and bills as well as the burden of proving that negligence occurred and was to blame for the injury.
After my loved one was injured in a Connecticut nursing home, should I discuss the circumstances of the injury with a representative or risk manager from the facility?
The objective of a nursing home representative or risk manager is to save the home money by settling injury claims quickly and out of the courtroom. If you do speak to a risk manager, it is important to consult with an experienced elder abuse attorney shortly thereafter to ensure that the needs of your loved one are being met. You have the right to speak to a lawyer as well as to have a lawyer present when you are meeting with representatives of the facility.
Who regulates Connecticut nursing homes?
In most states, nursing homes are regulated by a combination of state and federal authorities. In Connecticut, the state’s Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulates all aspects of facilities, including resident care, staffing, policies, procedures, and medical equipment.
What rights do residents of nursing homes have?
Residents have the right to be free of all types of abuse: verbal, sexual, physical, and mental. They also have the right to be free of any physical or chemical restraint used for either disciplinary purposes or for convenience. Restraints can only be used if necessary for medical conditions and to ensure the safety of the resident and others. They have the right to general quality care and the right to be evaluated and informed of their medical condition. Residents also have the right to complain without fear of retaliation. Additionally, residents have the right to refuse treatment and the right to choose their own doctor.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Connecticut
If you or someone that you love has been wrongfully injured, contact the team of experienced, dependable legal professionals here at our firm. As part of the comprehensive legal services we proudly offer:
- Free initial consultation
- Flexible appointment schedule
- Home visits for clients without transportation
- Personal service through the Perkins case management system
Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers operates on a contingency fee basis – if you do not receive money, we do not get paid. Contact us today. Our Connecticut nursing home abuse lawyers have over 140 years of combined legal experience and the knowledge and resources to handle your nursing home abuse lawsuit. We can help to guide you safely through each step of the personal injury litigation process and will fight for your MAXIMUM injury compensation.
We have offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury, and New London. We have a team of investigators ready to visit you to discuss your new case anywhere in or out of Connecticut. We can provide the help you need now. To find out more, please contact us at 800-PERKINS.
For More Information:
- Area Nursing Homes
- Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Nursing Home Neglect
- Nursing Home Falls Lawyer
- Nursing Home Prescription Errors
- Signs Of Nursing Home Negligence