Nursing Home Negligence
About Nursing Home Negligence and Liability
As the American population continues to age, nursing homes and other senior care facilities are growing in size and number. These facilities are entrusted with the care of people at the frailest time of their lives and, as such, have a responsibility to provide quality health services and compassionate care. When they fail in this duty and serious injury, harm or even death occurs, these facilities and the medical professionals who work with them can be held liable.
Nursing Home Negligence is a form of Medical Malpractice. In recent years, nursing home abuse has become more and more widespread, resulting in a rash of malpractice cases specific to nursing home liability. Just as with Medical Malpractice, nursing homes and other senior care facilities can be held liable when they act in a way that deviates from accepted senior care practices, causing injury or death to the patient. Since what is considered accepted practice varies widely, Nursing Home Negligence cases can be very complex and involve complicated medical technology and procedures.
There are many different types of Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence:
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse can take to form of attacks or beatings on a nursing home patient. It can also include deprivation of food or water, bed sores, burn injuries or injuries such as bruises, cuts, scraps or even broken bones.
- Psychological or emotional abuse: This type of abuse can consist of yelling, scaring, threats or humiliation targeted at a patient. Although more difficult to see than physical abuse, psychological abuse can often be spotted by a negative change in the patient’s behavior such as depression, anger or confusion.
- Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse can involve health care staff or other patients. Sexually abused patients are fondled or touched inappropriately, exposed physically to other staff members or patients or even raped.
- Financial abuse: Nursing home patients are often vulnerable to theft, forgery or identity theft. Nursing home employees who have access to patients’ personal possessions and information can easily abuse a patient in this manner.
Negligence
Negligence in nursing homes can take many different forms. Anything which significantly lowers the patient’s quality of life may be considered Negligence. Lack of adequate facilities, failure to provide appropriate food and clothing, isolation and lack of access to health care are common forms of Negligence. The attorneys at William Price P.A. are knowledgeable about Nursing Home Negligence and the regulations that govern injuries and deaths caused by the negligence of nursing home professionals and staff. Our attorneys have extensive experience in all types of Medical Malpractice including Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Negligence.
Compensation for victims of Nursing Home Negligence
The laws relating to injuries or deaths caused by Nursing Home Negligence and Medical Malpractice are complex and involve complicated medical laws and regulations. The actions of healthcare professionals are not only governed by national laws, but also by state and local regulations. These laws and regulations detail the inherent responsibilities medical and healthcare professionals have to their patients and to providing them with safe, competent care. They also govern what compensation victims of injuries caused by Nursing Home Negligence may receive.
The rising costs of healthcare have resulted in increase legislation pertaining to Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Negligence claims and the compensation patients may seek for injuries caused by healthcare providers. Claims for any type of Medical Malpractice must be filed within two years of the date of the incident. While victims are entitled to compensation for medical bills resulting from the malpractice or negligence, punitive damages such as suffering are capped and cannot exceed certain levels.
At William Price P.A., our attorneys are experienced in Nursing Home Negligence and Medical Malpractice laws and regulations. We help victims of Nursing Home Negligence seek the maximum compensation possible.
Proof in Nursing Home Negligence Claims
Like most Medical Malpractice cases, Nursing Home Negligence claims are complex and often difficult to prove. Simply demonstrating that the medical care was undesirable does not constitute Medical Malpractice. Proof in these cases is much more complicated.
Nursing homes and other senior care facilities have a duty to provide their patients with healthcare that is on par with acceptable standards. In order to prove that Nursing Home Negligence or Medical Malpractice has occurred, a victim must prove that he or she did not receive an acceptable standard of care. The victim must then prove that the injuries he or she received as result of substandard care are greater than they would have been had they received the acceptable level of care.
Our attorneys are skilled in Medical Malpractice laws that pertain to Nursing Home Negligence and Elder Abuse. We know the vital information needed to build a strong case. We employ a team of experts including:
- Medical experts in all fields of healthcare
- Researchers who are skilled at gathering pertinent information such as previous Medical Malpractice claims, records of the medical procedures and testimony by medical staff members
- Legislative experts who are knowledgeable about complex medical laws and regulations
- Professionals who can testify about the physical and emotional effects of Elder Abuse or Nursing Home Negligence
Hiring an Attorney for your Nursing Home Negligence Claim
Injuries or deaths that occur because of negligence in a nursing home or senior care facility involve a difficult burden of proof and in-depth knowledge of the unique laws and regulations that govern these cases. An attorney who has experience in Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Negligence cases and the laws that govern these cases will help you navigate the complicated legal issues surrounding your claim.
At William Price, P.A., our attorneys are experienced in Nursing Home Negligence and Elder Abuse cases. We offer free consultations for victims of substandard healthcare. When you call our offices, you speak with an attorney, not an assistant. He or she will review the facts of your case and talk to you about your legal rights; all at no charge. To schedule your free consultation, call 561-659-3212.