Nursing Home Abuse Attorney: Practical Reasons to Hire One
Nursing homes are under pressure to cut staff as the number of residents rises. Patients are exposed to isolation, abuse, and even neglect due to this unsafe environment.
The best action is to hire a nursing home negligence attorney if a loved one has been the victim of nursing home staff or provider negligence. An adept nursing home abuse lawyer can fight for fair compensation on your behalf.
For a better understanding, here are the reasons why it is necessary to hire a nursing home abuse attorney:
1. Evidence Is Not Overlooked
Most of the necessary evidence to support your claim is probably already in the nursing home. They might voluntarily decline to provide such proof to discredit your claim. Even the possibility of some evidence being changed or removed exists.
While substantial evidence is still available, your attorney can launch an investigation immediately. They can issue subpoenas to compel the production of evidence being withheld.
Most importantly, your lawyer will be familiar with the kinds of proof needed to substantiate your claim, which may include the following:
- Caregiver keycard data
- The victim’s medical records
- The facility’s hiring and training procedures
- Medical expert deposition
- Nursing home staff schedules
- Eyewitness deposition
2. You Need Someone at Your Side
Administrators of nursing homes are not likely to be on your side after learning of a case of neglect or abuse. It is reasonable to assume they will contact you directly to solve the problem internally.
Remember that even though they might seem kind and helpful, their interests aren’t the same as yours. In other words, if they want to minimize the damage, they must compensate you and your family while avoiding bad press.
When dealing with the fallout of nursing home abuse or neglect, you need someone familiar with the legal system and who knows how to uphold your rights. An attorney who has handled cases involving nursing home abuse will be able to navigate the legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve.
3. Avoid Crucial Mistakes
A case may fail due to several mistakes. Failure to provide a recorded statement, discuss the issue on social media, mitigate damages, track injuries, and keep relevant documentation are mistakes that could result in expensive disputes and delays.
When submitting a claim for nursing home abuse or neglect, an experienced attorney can assist you in avoiding these mistakes and others.
4. Does Not Leave Damages Out of Settlement Calculations
You may already be aware that people who have been abused in nursing homes are entitled to compensation for any medical costs incurred due to the abuse.
Non-economic damages and punitive damages are also recoverable in many cases, though. If you represent yourself, you risk missing some injuries, or the other party risks underestimating them.
Conclusion
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is essential to hire an experienced home abuse attorney. They can help you investigate the allegations and gather the evidence needed to prove the abuse. An attorney can also help you file a lawsuit against the abuser and the nursing home, if appropriate.
Bossie, Reilly, & Oh are injury lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona. Our firm has litigated hundreds of elder abuse and neglect cases and obtained numerous settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. We firmly believe that our community’s elderly and most vulnerable members deserve to be heard, and we take pride in advocating for them. If you need a lawyer for nursing home abuse, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately!