In light of the sacrifices of U.S. service members, you might think nursing homes would be especially caring for elderly veterans. Sadly, many veterans end up being victims of nursing home abuse. Some nursing facilities still struggle to provide adequate care to their residents. When this is the case, they can be held accountable for injuries and trauma that their negligence caused. Nursing homes that do not uphold the standard of care the law requires may face legal consequences.
If a nursing home mistreated your veteran family member, you may have the right to file a claim and seek financial recovery. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 842-6366 for your free consultation. A Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer can build a strong case for you.
What Qualifies as Veteran Neglect and Abuse
Although neglect and abuse have their own definitions, people tend to use them interchangeably because one often exists when the other is present. However, note that neglect occurs when there is an intentional or unintentional absence of proper care, while abuse refers to the mistreatment that a person endures. Victims of abuse generally suffer from emotional trauma or physical violence that another individual intentionally inflicts.
Under no circumstances is it acceptable to subject an elderly resident to neglect and abuse. Veterans in their golden years are some of the most vulnerable in society. Many suffer from physical and mental trauma from military combat, which only gets exacerbated with nursing home neglect.
Unfortunately, elderly veterans sometimes also cannot report neglect and abuse. It may be up to you to recognize that something is wrong. Whenever you visit or speak to your family member in the nursing facility, be on the lookout for signs of neglect and abuse. You may have to file a report with the proper authorities or take legal action when you notice the following:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, or broken bones
- Bedsores
- Infections
- Unkempt appearance
- Emotional outbursts
- Depression
- Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss
- Reclusiveness
- Fear
There are still many more signs that may give you a clue about your loved one’s poor condition at the nursing home. At times, physical evidence may not even exist, so you may have to pay close attention to how your family member sounds or behaves. If you observe anything out of the ordinary, do not wait before discussing your concerns with a Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer. Your attorney can suggest the next step you could take.
Veterans Deserve the Highest Quality of Care
Compared to other older adults, elderly veterans commonly require long-term treatment or rehabilitation to address psychological disorders like PTSD, combat-related injuries, emotional trauma, mental illnesses, and permanent disabilities. Nursing home staff members are all too aware of these issues, and they sometimes take advantage of this fact to neglect and abuse residents. In many cases, elderly veterans depend on caregivers to a great extent because they find it difficult to keep personal relationships or move around due to impairments.
Nevertheless, nursing homes have a legal obligation to attend to all aspects of elderly care, as stated in the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987. These facilities must ensure that they implement measures to protect and maintain their residents’ health and well-being. Consult with a Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer to know whether a nursing home is not providing the standard of care the law requires of them.
For a free legal consultation with a Jacksonville Veterans Neglect and Abuse Lawyer serving Jacksonville, call (800) 794-0444
What You Can Do After Discovering Neglect and Abuse
The following are some steps you can consider after becoming aware of the hardship a family member is experiencing in a nursing home:
- Reporting your concerns to the nursing home
- Transferring your loved one to a safer location
- Gathering evidence of neglect and abuse
- Requesting for prompt medical care
- Exploring your legal options
If you decide to file a lawsuit and seek compensation, do not delay hiring a Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer. In every state, there is a deadline for bringing a civil action. Also known as the statute of limitations, this law can restrict your right to make a recovery. If you wish to sue a nursing home for your loved one’s injuries, you typically must do so within two years after the date you discovered the injuries. Failing to file before the deadline can make you ineligible to take further action.
You also have the choice to report incidents of neglect and abuse to concerned organizations, such as the Adult Protective Services (APS), National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Any of these organizations can assist you in dealing with negligent and wrongful conduct in a nursing facility.
Jacksonville Jacksonville Veterans Neglect and Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Taking Legal Action
After ensuring that your senior family member has received appropriate medical care, you can begin working with a Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer to bring to justice those who hurt your loved one.
Filing an abuse claim will initiate your personal injury lawsuit. Afterward, your attorney can gather the necessary evidence that will support your claim such as police reports, medical records, witness testimonies, names of involved parties, and other relevant documentation.
If you prevail in your case, you can obtain compensation that will cover economic and non-economic damages such as medical and physical therapy bills, relocation costs, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and in more unfortunate circumstances, funeral and burial expenses. Your attorney can explain more about what you should expect from legal proceedings and the rights you have under the law.
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Let Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Help in Securing Your Loved One’s Safety
Frequently, senior veterans are at an increased risk of being neglected and abused because of their fragile condition after military service. Talk with a Jacksonville veterans neglect and abuse lawyer about potential legal action if your loved one suffers from negligent or inappropriate treatment at a nursing home. Do not hesitate to connect with us today at (800) 842-6366 with a free case evaluation.
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