Nursing homes should be a safe place for seniors to live out their golden years, receiving the care they need to maintain quality of life. Unfortunately, for many seniors, that is far from the reality. Too many seniors suffer abuse at the hands of nursing home caregivers. Not only does that abuse lead to significant injuries, it can shorten their lifespans and cause complications that can interfere with quality of life long after the initial incident. If you or a senior loved one suffered abuse or neglect, a Midland nursing home abuse lawyer can help you pursue compensation. Our respected personal injury attorneys are here for you.
Compensation in Nursing Home Abuse Claims
When a senior suffers abuse in a nursing home, they may have the right to file a claim that will allow them to recover compensation for both the financial losses that can accompany abuse and the non-financial suffering, known as general damages, that they face.
A Midland nursing home abuse lawyer can help seniors go over the damages they sustained. If the senior files an injury claim for abuse in a nursing home, it will generally include compensation for:
- Medical expenses for treatment for injuries caused by abuse
- The increased cost of medical care when injuries cause a senior to need more ongoing care
- Moving expenses for moving into a facility that offers better care
- Pain and suffering
If a senior dies as a result of abuse, the family can file a wrongful death claim. That claim will include compensation for funeral and burial expenses as well as the loss of the senior’s presence in their loved ones’ lives.
The Right to File a Wrongful Death Claim
Family members often want to file a claim on behalf of a senior who has suffered abuse in a nursing home. However, most of the time, the abused senior will need to initiate the claim with the help of a Midland lawyer. If they have given legal power of attorney to another party, including a family member, that family member may have the right to file on their behalf. Other family members can file a claim after the death of a senior due to abuse in a nursing home.
Liability for Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes often bear liability for abusive acts committed by staff members. They bear a high duty of care for ensuring that they have chosen safe staff members who will care for seniors as they deserve throughout their golden years. In addition, nursing homes should properly monitor their staff members to ensure that abuse does not occur, and put checks and balances in place to ensure that staff members are not in a position to commit abuse against senior residents.
If a nursing home used a staffing agency to provide staff members, the staffing agency can also bear liability for abusive individuals sent to the nursing home, especially if the staff member had a known history of abuse.
Contact a Midland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
If you or a senior loved one suffered abuse in a nursing home, a Midland nursing home abuse lawyer can help you learn more about your rights and aid you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. While financial compensation cannot undo the injustice caused by nursing home abuse, it can provide the funds needed for additional care and support. Reach out to Schechter, Shaffer, & Harris, LLC, today for your free consultation.
