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Washington, DC Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Was Your Loved One a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

When aging family members can no longer care for themselves, it is the responsibility of a nursing home to provide the care and medical treatment for your loved ones. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect happen far too often in these long-term care facilities. Medication errors, untreated bedsores, abusive or neglectful behavior from the staff, and failure to treat illnesses or injuries can cause disabling or fatal injuries to residents.

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How Do Our Nursing Home Attorneys Fight Elder Abuse in Washington, DC?

Elderly victims are often unable to protect themselves from abuse. It typically falls to family members to remain vigilant for any signs of abuse or medical negligence by the nursing home staff.

Mistreatment of any human being is unacceptable. If abuse or neglect caused your loved one’s injuries, then you may be able to hold the nursing home staff and management accountable. The nursing home attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect claims throughout the DC Metro area. If you need help getting justice for your loved one, then we are here for you.

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Mistreatment of the senior members of our communities in nursing homes or anywhere is unacceptable. If negligence or medical malpractice cause your loved one’s injuries, physical or psychological, then you may be able to hold the nursing home staff and owners accountable though a personal injury lawsuit. The nursing home attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect claims. If you need help getting justice for your loved one, then we are here for you.

 

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What Is Considered Elder Abuse And Neglect In Nursing Homes?

Elder abuse exists in many forms. Elderly victims may be unable or unwilling to inform family members or the authorities of the long-care facility’s conditions. Family members need to be aware and know the warning signs of nursing home abuse.

There are five common types of nursing home abuse:

  • Physical abuse: The most visual of elder abuse, physical abuse includes punching, slapping, pinching, pushing, and other types of violence. Physical abuse can also refer to restraining someone against their will.
  • Emotional abuse: Insults, threats of violence, and humiliation are all forms of emotional abuse. This behavior can lead to changes in emotion or personality in the individual. For example, your grandmother is ordinarily cheerful and bubbly, but recently, you notice she has become standoffish and sullen.
  • Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual interaction can be construed as sexual abuse. Examples include suggestive remarks, inappropriate touching, and even sexual assault.
  • Financial exploitation: The staff or management can easily mishandle the victim’s money, leading to late bill payments, stealing money out of their account, and even convincing the victim to change their will.
  • Neglect: Nursing home neglect can range from something as simple as poor hygiene or bedsores to malnutrition or overmedicating the victim.

It’s essential to remember that not all abuse will leave a visual mark. You may not notice the problems until it’s too late.

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Can I File a Claim For Medical Malpractice in a Nursing Home?

Too often, nursing home neglect goes hand-in-hand with medical malpractice, as negligent doctors, nurses, and other staff may overlook or fail to administer necessary treatments. Many residents live in elder care facilities because they require regular medication, treatment, or assistance from a medical worker. Medical negligence can therefore cause a dangerous health condition, allow an illness to progress, or cause death.

What Are the Common Examples of Medical Malpractice in Nursing Homes?

  • Failure to treat – If a resident develops an illness or sustains an injury, staff should be prompt to provide or arrange treatment. Failure to do so may constitute medical malpractice. Untreated bedsores are among the most common nursing home negligence and malpractice examples. Bedsores develop when the staff fails to help immobile residents change positions regularly, leading to severe and fatal infections.
  • Medication errors or missed doses – Nurses and staff must administer medications on time and in the proper amounts. Negligence may result in missed doses or overdose, leading to death.
  • Improper physical or chemical restraint – A common sign of nursing home negligence and abuse is a misuse of restraints. Improper physical restraint can cause bruising and laceration to the wrists and ankles, as well as broken bones. Oversedation can cause serious health problems or even death.
  • Failure to arrange doctor’s visits – Many nursing home residents require frequent check-ups, which staff must perform or arrange. Failure to do so may allow life-threatening illnesses and conditions to progress beyond treatment.
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What Should I Do if My Loved One Is the Victim of Nursing Home Negligence?

If you notice any of these signs of nursing home negligence, then you should take the following steps to protect your loved one:

Speak With the Family Member

Your first step is to speak with the resident about any changes you have noticed. Try to get the whole story and ask if they are being harmed or feel uncomfortable living in the facility.

Document All Instances or Signs of Negligence or Abuse

Unfortunately, your loved one may not admit to any neglect for fear of retribution from the staff. Therefore, you will need to document what’s going on with your loved one. Take pictures and write notes on any signs or symptoms of abuse that you notice, including the date and time. In addition, keep copies of any medical reports on unexplained injuries as well as any complaints filed.

Speak to Nursing Home Management

Inform the nursing homeowner or operator about your concerns and make notes concerning your conversation. Then, remain watchful to see if the facility addresses the problem.

File an Official Complaint

Each state has its procedures for filing an official complaint about nursing homes and elder abuse. In Washington, DC, you will need to call the Office of the Inspector General to report the neglect.

Call a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Although reporting a nursing home can help prevent the abuse from continuing, you will need to file a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation for your loved one. A DC nursing home abuse lawyer can advise you on what to do about nursing home neglect or abuse at any time. Once an investigation is complete, an attorney can also help you file a personal injury claim against the facility. As a result, you may be able to recover compensation for your loved one’s medical bills, relocation costs, financial losses, and other damages.

What Signs of Abuse or Neglect Should I Look For?

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to recognize the signs of abuse. But there are some obvious signs you should be looking out for, including:

What Compensation Is Available for a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?

Depending on the severity of the injuries, the financial impact the abuse had, and any emotional cost your loved one experienced, the victim may receive the following damages:

You may also be able to pursue punitive damages in rare instances. These damages are meant to punish those responsible for the abuse and prevent the behavior from happening again.

Who Can I Sue in a Nursing Home Negligence Case?

In cases such as nursing home abuse, you may have the option to sue multiple parties. So not only can you sue the staff members responsible, but you can also sue the facility’s management, the doctors on staff, and the organization that owns the facility.

Do I Need an Attorney if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Washington, DC?

Even when there is a clear indication of abuse or neglect from the nursing home staff, negligence cases are complicated. Not only do you have to deal with the law, but you may have an injury victim unwilling to speak out against their abuser. This is why obtaining a DC nursing home abuse attorney is crucial for your case.

An attorney can get the evidence needed to build your loved one’s claim. Such evidence includes witness accounts, photographs of your loved one’s injuries, video surveillance, financial records, medical records, and expert witness opinions.

After conducting the investigation, your nursing home negligence lawyer will have the evidence needed to establish liability, including:

How a DC Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Regan Zambri Long Can Help

For over three decades, our nursing home negligence lawyers have garnered respect from their clients as well as their peers. With over $650 million in record-setting verdicts and settlements, our injury attorneys are routinely honored by well-respected legal organizations and publications throughout the country.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to abuse or negligence by a nursing home or long-term care facility, get the help you need. Contact our DC injury law firm today for a free consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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