Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Law Firm
Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Attorneys in Virginia
Placing a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult and important decision for many families. Oftentimes, it is a last resort for those unable to provide the continuum of care their relatives require. However, while families expect their loved ones to be supported, comforted, and attended to while staying in a nursing home, that is not always the case. According to the National Center for Elder Abuse, too often seniors experience abuse or neglect in nursing homes. In fact, for every one case of elder abuse that gets reported, five or more do not. And it gets worse: One in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse while in the hands of caregivers. As many countries face rapidly aging populations, the problem is predicted to worsen.
According to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents of nursing homes, the most common type of reported abuse is physical. Signs of physical abuse can take the form of weight loss, bruising, and skin breakdown such as bed sores. Still, signs of abuse or neglect can be more subtle and can include a change in temperament, such as acting withdrawn or frightened, dehydration, or poor hygiene and appearance.
What Should I Do If a Loved One Is A Victim of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?
Under Virginia law, you may have the right to recover monetary damages if a loved one has been abused or neglected by a nursing home. Damages may include reimbursement or compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Wrongful Death
- Grief
- Future Medical Expenses
If you suspect that a loved one has been or is being abused, document that abuse to a person in the position to implement change. Express your concern to the director of nursing or the facility administrator, and put it in writing along with a date. After reporting the incident, make sure the abuse or neglect has stopped by following up with the person you reported it to. If your complaints are falling on deaf ears, resources like Adult Protective Services, the Department of Health, or an Ombudsman Program in your area can help.
Why Choose Allen & Allen?
While the circumstances behind every nursing home abuse or neglect case are different, one fact holds true—the time immediately following the incident can be stressful and confusing. Choosing the right attorney is an important decision to ensure you receive the support you need.
The attorneys at Allen & Allen have more than 600 years of combined experience and have handled many complex nursing home cases. Those cases include fall fractures, bed sores, choking, malnourishment, medication error, sexual assault, and elopement, or wandering. Allen & Allen is a family firm with a 100-year history of compassion and service, and we are committed to protecting our clients throughout their recovery. We are dedicated to the fight for their fair treatment and compensation.
Nursing home abuse and neglect case result: Derrick Walker secured $1,150,000 on behalf of a client’s mother living in a facility. A requirement of her care was direct supervision during meals, but the facility allowed her to eat unsupervised. Our client’s mother was found unresponsive.
Office Locations for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Cases
Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Resources
- Suspect nursing home elder abuse or neglect during COVID-19? – How to detect signs of nursing home abuse or neglect in a loved one and the increased risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Nursing Malpractice Claims Increase – Describes the different types of nursing malpractice and how to avoid becoming a victim
- Virginia Court Expands Who May Testify on Standard of Care Against Nursing Homes – Describes the new qualifications of experts allowed to testify