Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Edmond Oklahoma and its surrounding area are home to approximately 30 nursing home facilities. There are some situations where vulnerable nursing home residents become the victims of elder abuse and neglect. When the people we trust to care for our elderly loved ones cause harm instead, they must be held responsible.
A nursing home abuse lawyer from the Cain Law Office in Edmond, Oklahoma can help your family hold them accountable. We will demand full and fair compensation for your loved one.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Your prompt action may save other lives as well.
How Our Edmond Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help You
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, it is important to work with an attorney who has the experience and resources to handle this type of complex claim. At the Cain Law Office, our knowledgeable Edmond Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyers can help with your case in a number of ways, including:
- Investigating the claim: Our team will interview witnesses, talk to former employees, review facility records, and collect medical records and other important documents to build a strong case for you.
- Working alongside state investigators: If you haven’t already reported your claim of abuse or neglect to Adult Protective Services, we can help you do that and follow up with state investigators.
- Negotiating for a full and fair settlement: Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and will demand the compensation your loved one needs for treatment of physical and emotional injuries, as well as other losses associated with the abuse or neglect. If your loved one died as a result of abuse or neglect, we will fight for wrongful death damages.
- Filing a lawsuit: If a nursing home and the insurance company refuse to offer a fair settlement, our team will be prepared to take your case to trial to fight for justice for your loved one.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse
It is imperative to report suspicions of elder abuse or neglect as soon as possible. The four steps you should take when reporting elder abuse or neglect include:
- Document signs of abuse or neglect: Take pictures of your loved one’s injuries and anything else that may indicate abuse or neglect before the nursing home can correct the situation. Also, get the names of any fellow residents who may have witnessed what happened.
- Report to the facility: It is important to speak to the nursing home staff members about your concerns. Ask them what happened, and they may provide a valid explanation. If they do not, you should then proceed with filing a complaint and get started with your claim.
- Report to the state: You should report nursing home abuse to the Adult Protective Services division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. If your loved one is in immediate danger, you should also call 911 and they will assist with removing your loved one from the facility.
- Talk to an attorney: Nursing homes can be held liable when a resident is abused or neglected by staff members, but these claims are extremely complex. An Edmond nursing home abuse attorney from our firm can help you through the entire process and ensure your loved one’s rights are protected at all times.
Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Elder Abuse and Neglect
Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect often do not come forward. In many cases, elders do not understand that the elder abuse or neglect is happening. It is important that family members and loved ones report suspected elder abuse or neglect if you notice that your loved one:
- Has become disoriented or confused due to an overdose of medication or improperly administered and monitored medication
- Has developed incontinence due to a lack of help with the bathroom, or has developed skin injuries from a lack of fresh disposable briefs
- Has mobility issues due to a lack of help with regular exercise
- Smells of feces or urine, wears dirty clothing, has developed body odor, or shows other signs of poor hygiene practices
- Has unexplained injuries including broken bones, bruises, and scratches
- Shows signs of dehydration or malnourishment including sudden and drastic weight loss, cracked lips, or extreme weakness
- Has fallen due to a lack of supervision and assistance
- Has become socially isolated and withdrawn
- Experiences behavioral changes, including becoming agitated, afraid, guilty, or embarrassed
Any time you notice these signs of elder abuse and neglect, it is important to speak to an Edmond nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
Types of Elder Abuse
Tragically, nursing home residents are at risk for becoming victims of many types of elder abuse. There are generally seven recognized types of nursing home abuse, which include:
- Physical abuse: Any use of force that will result in injury, pain, or impairment for a nursing home resident is considered physical abuse. Even minor acts of physical contact, such as gripping an elder’s arm too tightly, can be considered physical abuse due to the fact that the elderly are typically quite frail.
● Emotional abuse: This type of abuse inflicts emotional pain, anguish, and distress on an elderly resident. Verbal assaults, humiliation, threats, and intimidation are just a few common examples of emotional abuse.
● Sexual abuse: Any time a staff member or another resident has non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident, it is sexual abuse. This type of elder abuse also includes having sexual contact with a resident who is unable to give consent or who does not fully understand what is happening.
● Neglect: When caregivers fail to fulfill their duty to provide the acceptable standard of care to residents, it is considered neglect. Neglect can be an intentional act, but it also includes careless actions.
● Self-Neglect: This type of elder abuse occurs when an elderly person cannot care for themselves adequately or refuses to. Still, if nursing home staff members allow it to continue happening, it is abuse.
● Financial abuse: Caregivers who exploit and manipulate residents for cash or other property can be held liable for financial abuse. Stealing and forging documents is another common type of financial abuse.
Contact Our Edmond Oklahoma Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Now
If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect, call our nursing home abuse lawyers in Edmond today. At the Cain Law Office, we know how to hold nursing homes, their staff members, and their insurance companies accountable for not providing the proper care your family deserves.
Call us today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
