Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Norman, OK

We entrust nursing homes to give our loved ones the best care possible in a safe facility. We want our elderly family members to have all the comforts of home, get the attention they deserve, and have their medical needs met. What happens when a nursing home fails to deliver on that promise?

Victims of elder abuse and neglect and their families can and should demand justice in the form of financial compensation from the responsible parties. At the Cain Law Office, we believe that nursing homes should be held to a high standard, and they should be held responsible when their negligence causes harm to the vulnerable people they serve.

Contact our Norman nursing home abuse lawyer now to discuss your case in a free consultation, and learn how we can help.

How Our Norman Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help You

Elderly nursing home residents rely on staff and caregivers for everything from food and water to much-needed medication. When staff fail to properly provide that care or engage in physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could remain silent about such vile treatment.

Unfortunately, residents of nursing homes may fear that speaking up could lead to retaliation and worse treatment from the elder abuser. Other employees may be similarly intimidated. Abusers may also choose victims who can’t speak out against them.

At the Cain Law Office, our Norman nursing home abuse lawyers serve as a strong voice for those who have been abused or neglected. We will work quickly to help you get your loved one out of immediate danger and ensure your family member is treated with dignity and compassion. When you trust our firm to handle your case, our attorneys will:

• Thoroughly investigate the elder abuse or neglect and collect all the necessary evidence to prove what has happened
• Advise you on what legal authorities should be notified of criminal complaints and help you report the elder abuse
• Work diligently in pursuit of full compensation for medical expenses related to your loved one’s injuries, your personal financial losses, the cost of moving to a new facility, and your family member’s pain and suffering

Please contact us today if you suspect that your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home. Your quick action could save not only your family member, but other residents as well.

Nursing Home Abuse Cases We Investigate

At the Cain Law Office, our Norman nursing home neglect and elder abuse attorney represents clients who have suffered:

• Physical Abuse: Physical abuse may include any intentional action that causes bodily harm to nursing home residents.
• Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse can include verbal threats, humiliation, yelling, insults, and isolation. Any intentional infliction of emotional of psychological torment could constitute emotional abuse.
• Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse includes any non-consensual sexual contact. Unfortunately, sexual abusers in nursing homes often target residents who are unable to affirm or deny consent.
• Financial Abuse: Abusers may target some elderly or impaired residents for financial gain. This may mean stealing private property, forging checks, or gaining access to a resident’s bank accounts for fraudulent use. Unscrupulous nursing home employees may coerce unsuspecting residents to contribute money to a scam or a bad investment.
• Neglect: The absence of care is a form of elder abuse. Residents depend on caregivers for their basic and medical needs. Ignoring these needs is a dangerous form of neglect.

When Is a Nursing Home Liable for Elder Abuse and Neglect?

Every Norman nursing home has a duty of care that they must provide to their residents. When they fail in that responsibility and residents are harmed as a result, the facilities can be held liable. These are just some of the situations in which a nursing home could be held liable for elder abuse or neglect.

• Negligent Hiring: A nursing home may be legally responsible for cases of abuse and neglect when the facility engages in negligent hiring practices. They may fail to perform proper background checks on employees and caregivers. This can lead to individuals with criminal backgrounds working in a caregiving role. Negligent employers may fail to screen candidates for the proper education or certifications needed to work in certain fields.
• Understaffing: Chronic understaffing in a nursing home can lead to numerous complications. Overworked employees may resort to elder abuse as a result of their frustration over working conditions. Understaffing may also lead to neglect when employees do not have time to tend to the needs of all residents.
• Inadequate Training: All staff should have the proper credentials and training to work in a caregiving or medical field. Moreover, nursing homes need to ensure that their employees understand the homes’ safety procedures and protocols. Employees must be properly overseen by qualified, competent supervisors.
• Medication Errors: Dangerous and even deadly medication errors can be caused by neglect or negligence. Both over and under doses, as well as mixing up medications, may have permanent consequences for residents.
• Third-Party Responsibility Claims: Nursing homes and the caregivers they employ may not be the only responsible parties in elder abuse or neglect cases. In some situations, third parties or vendors may also bear some of the responsibility. Caterers, maintenance workers, and manufacturers may be held liable if they directly cause a resident’s injury.

Nursing Home Abuse Warning Signs

You know your family member the best. If you’re concerned by a new injury or a recent behavior, trust your instincts. The legal team at the Cain Law Office will listen to your concerns and investigate the circumstances surrounding your family member’s nursing home care.

Physical abuse may leave behind evidence, but other forms of abuse can be more subtle and harder to detect.

Here are some of the more common warning signs of elder abuse:

• Unexplained broken bones, cuts, or bruises
• Frequent infections or illnesses
• Bruises on or near the thighs and genitals
• Refusing to cooperate with certain staff or caregivers
• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Withdrawal from family or friends
• Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Sudden changes in weight or appearance
• Change in hygiene
• Change in a financial situation
• Unchanged or dirty clothes, linens, or bandages
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Suicide attempts

What to Do If You Suspect Abuse or Neglect

The most important thing you can do if you suspect elder abuse or neglect at a Norman nursing home facility is to report it. Document the abuse with photos, get the names of any witnesses to the incident and tell the management at the facility immediately. Then, contact a Norman personal injury attorney from the Cain Law Office.

Get the legal advice you need today by scheduling a free and confidential consultation about your case.