Nashville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Sadly, vulnerable nursing home residents are all too often the victims of neglect and abuse. If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at a Nashville area nursing home, you need a nursing home abuse lawyer. NST Law has an experienced team of professionals who successfully handle these sensitive cases. Find out how our elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation lawyers can assist you.
Nursing home abuse is an alarming and prevalent issue affecting countless vulnerable individuals nationwide. This abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and neglectful mistreatment. Abuse victims often find themselves in distressing situations without the legal knowledge or means to address these injustices. Seeking professional representation from a skilled and experienced elder abuse lawyer is essential.Â
Understanding your legal rights and seeking representation in nursing home abuse cases are important for protecting victims, holding abusers accountable, and securing compensation. Additionally, it serves as a deterrent to future abuse and offers guidance and support to affected families during challenging times.
At NST Law, we’re the Champions for the Injured who will provide you with the support, information, and legal counsel you need. Call the Champs today when you need a long-term care facility lawyer in Nashville.Â
Table Of Contents
- The Role of a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
- Why Choose the NST Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Understanding Nursing Home Abuse in Nashville
- Bedsores as a Result of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
- The Elder Abuse Legal Landscape in Nashville, TN
- Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse
- Reach Out to the Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at NST Law
The Role of a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
One of the key aspects of any case is understanding your rights and legal options. An elderly rights attorney knows the laws and regulations to protect residents. They can help explain your rights, ensuring you stay informed throughout the process.Â
When the time comes to file a lawsuit against the facility and caregivers, a Nashville nursing home abuse lawyer can initiate legal actions against nursing homes. They will do the following:
- Investigate your claim
- Gather evidence
- File all the appropriate legal documents
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Advocate for your interests at all court hearings, even at trial, if necessary
A nursing home neglect attorney holds a distinct advantage over a run-of-the-mill family lawyer because of their knowledge in the complex field of nursing home litigation. These attorneys recognize patterns of abuse, understand industry regulations, and build strong legal arguments to hold negligent facilities accountable.Â
When seeking justice for nursing home abuse, the choice of legal representation is one of the most influential decisions for your case.Â
NST Law is a leader in helping nursing home abuse victims and their families find the justice they deserve.Â
Why Choose the NST Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
With over 32 years of dedicated service, our team of 34 attorneys and 135 support staff members across the United States is committed to defending victims’ rights. Our firm offers comprehensive elder neglect legal services, providing support and guidance at every step of the way.Â
We handle a wide range of cases, including nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Over the years, we have secured over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.Â
We have won cases for our clients involving the following:
- Bed sores caused by a negligent nursing home staff
- A patient's death due to dehydration and starvation
- Complications resulting in death due to nursing home negligence
As nursing facility litigation experts, our team understands the Tennessee laws and federal regulations involving nursing homes. With that, we build strong, compelling cases for each client.
Additionally, we also work on cases involving elder exploitation. An elder exploitation attorney can hold perpetrators and negligent facilities accountable and seek justice for victims.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis. Our clients bear no upfront costs, with the final settlement or verdict covering attorney fees.Â
We pride ourselves on providing personalized attention to each client. Our team will conduct a thorough investigation to explore all possible options for legal recourse. Seeking justice is our top priority in nursing home abuse cases.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse in Nashville
This type of abuse and neglect can take on various forms, such as:
- Physical abuse occurs when a resident suffers from bodily harm caused by the caregiver or another resident.
- Residents rely on nursing home staff for assistance with their basic needs. Neglect occurs when the staff or facility fails to meet those needs, harming the resident. Neglect may include inadequate nutrition, dehydration, insufficient medical care, or abandonment for extended periods.
- When a caregiver yells, threatens, or ignores the resident, it can result in emotional abuse or psychological harm.
- Sexual abuse occurs when nursing home staff members or others make unwanted or nonconsensual sexual contact with a resident. This may include rape, touching, groping, or forcing a resident to watch sexual acts.
- Financial abuse happens when money or belongings are misused or stolen from the resident.
These symptoms of abuse or neglect can vary. However, some signs include the following:
- Unexplained injuries, such as broken bones or bruises
- Behavioral changes, including depression and fearfulness
- Financial irregularities, such as loss of funds or unexplained transactions
- Poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administers a program that identifies and closely monitors nursing homes with a history of serious quality issues. Such facilities are referred to as Special Focus Facilities, or SFFs. Federal regulars have listed Multiple Tennessee nursing homes as SFFs.Â
Previously, a federal study found that nearly one-third of the nation’s nursing homes were cited for abuse over a two-year period. More recently, a Nashville-area resident care facility in Murfreesboro was fined $7,500 for an unlisted violation.
Bedsores as a Result of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Bedsores are one of the most common outcomes of nursing home abuse and neglect in Nashville. Also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, bedsores typically result from prolonged pressure on bony prominences of the body, often when an individual is immobile or unable to change positions independently.Â
This prolonged pressure disrupts blood flow to the affected area and causes the skin to die. A bedsore then arises as a red, painful area on the skin’s surface. Without treatment, the skin may break open, and the bedsore may deepen and extend into the muscle and bone.Â
Bedsores can result in serious health complications, many of which are life-threatening. These include cellulitis, cancer, bone and joint infections, and sepsis.
Can You Sue for Bedsores?
While bedsores can occasionally occur in the absence of malpractice, nursing home abuse is a significant contributor to their occurrence. Residents who are neglected or subjected to abuse may be left in the same position for extended periods, such as when they are confined to their beds or wheelchairs without regular repositioning.Â
Furthermore, neglect in nursing homes can result in worse outcomes for residents who have bedsores. These residents may not receive timely and proper wound detection and care, which is essential for preventing the sores from worsening and becoming infected.Â
Poor hygienic conditions, such as infrequent bathing or dirty sheets, can heighten the infection risk. Neglect can also lead to poor nutrition and hydration, further weakening residents’ overall health and their ability to heal from bedsores. If any of these factors are present in your bedsore case, you may be eligible to sue for bedsores.
How Much Is a Bedsore Lawsuit Worth?
The value of a nursing home or hospital bedsore lawsuit can vary widely depending on several factors, including the extent of the facility’s negligence and the severity of the resulting health complications. Settlements or verdicts for bedsore lawsuits can range from thousands to millions of dollars. A bedsore lawyer at NST Law can help you determine how much your case may be worth.
The Elder Abuse Legal Landscape in Nashville, TN
Elder abuse is an underreported issue, with only 1 out of 14 cases given to authorities. In response, Tennessee lawmakers have taken steps to protect vulnerable adults through legislation such as the Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act, which creates stricter penalties for those guilty of elder abuse.
The Tennessee Board of Nursing Home Administrators is responsible for regulating nursing homes in the state. This oversight board protects the rights of elderly residents and helps them receive appropriate care.Â
Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Health has rules and regulations that govern nursing homes and caregivers in the state.
There have been a few recent cases of abuse by caregivers, including:
- A 63-year-old dementia patient died outside of a Nashville assisted living facility after wandering from the facility unnoticed.
- A Nashville patient with a mental disability was attacked with a baseball bat by a caregiver.
These cases highlight the importance of seeking nursing home maltreatment legal advice when suspecting abuse or neglect.Â
When it comes time to file a lawsuit, you have a limited time. Tennessee’s statute of limitations is one year from the time of the incident. You may lose your right to seek compensation if you miss the deadline.Â
An elder abuse lawyer or an assisted living facility lawyer can guide you in taking those next steps in your case.Â
Steps to Take if You Suspect Abuse
Take immediate action if you suspect a loved one suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home. Here are the steps to follow:
- Ensure the person's safety: No matter the situation, ensure the individual is safe. If there is a life-threatening situation, always call 911.
- Collect evidence and document: Document everything you observe, including physical injuries, changes in behavior, or any other signs of abuse or neglect.
- Report to the appropriate authorities: Report your concerns to the local Adult Protective Services agency, the long-term care ombudsman, hospital staff, or the state regulatory agency that oversees nursing homes. You can also report abuse to the police if you believe a crime has been committed.
- Understand nursing home abuse rights: Your loved ones have protected rights in the facility. They have the right to live free from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
- Get elder mistreatment legal help: Contact an attorney for senior resident injuries if you believe your loved one has suffered harm from abuse or neglect. They can assist with your legal options and help you navigate the legal process.
The sooner you take action, the sooner you can protect your loved one and pursue justice.
Reach Out to the Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at NST Law
A nursing home abuse lawyer or an elder care lawsuit specialist can provide the guidance and representation you need. At NST Law, our team of experienced lawyers is ready to help you fight for justice on behalf of your loved one.
If you believe your loved one is a nursing home abuse or neglect victim, contact NST Law for a free consultation or case review. Contact us to schedule a consultation. Call the Nashville office at 901-445-7866 for a free initial assessment.
By submitting your information, you consent to receive SMS messages, texts, email communication, calls, and/or prerecorded messages from Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC. Message & Data rates may apply. By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
OUR Nashville OFFICE
2323 21st Avenue South
Suite 500
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-235-0766
Fax: 615-257-6797