When a nursing home resident develops injuries or illnesses that do not have rational explanations, they might be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. In a nursing home, caregivers should be constantly monitoring residents, ensuring they are safe, healthy, and comfortable. While injuries happen, caregivers should take every reasonable step to prevent them. When an injury does occur, the caregiver should treat it right away and should document it in detail.
A nursing home resident with unexplained bruises or cuts or burns is very likely a victim of abuse or neglect. If you have noticed these injuries on your loved one, an Oklahoma City unexplained bruises or cuts or burns lawyer can help you hold the responsible party or parties accountable and collect compensation. When nursing home residents get injured, we take on the facility, the caregiver, and other responsible parties on behalf of our clients.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our Oklahoma City attorneys offer a free case evaluation and never collect a fee until you get paid. To speak with a member of our team today, call us.
What to Do if You Notice Unexplained Bruises, Cuts, or Burns on Your Loved One in a Nursing Home
As the loved one of a nursing home resident, you should always remain vigilant when going for a visit. You are your loved one’s eyes and ears. Nursing home residents often cannot advocate for themselves when they are mistreated, neglected, or abused. Even when they can, they are often hesitant to do so, especially if they rely on the abuser or abusers for basic needs and comforts.
When you visit your loved one, make note of any new injuries or anything that does not look right. If there is no obvious explanation, and the nursing home staff cannot provide a clear answer, you should investigate the matter further and potentially escalate it. You should do this even if you are not sure if there is anything to it. It is better to make an issue out of something that turns out to be nothing than to remain silent at the risk of your loved one continuing to suffer.
If you notice unexplained injuries, such as bruises or cuts or burns, on your loved one, you should do the following:
Demand an Explanation
If the injuries are mild to moderate, there may be a reasonable explanation. Ask their caregiver if your loved one has suffered any falls or mishaps in the past few days. If they seem evasive or they are completely ignorant of an injury that you noticed easily, that is a bad sign, and it indicates you should continue to press the matter.
Report Your Suspicions to a Supervisor
If you are not satisfied with the caregiver’s response to your inquiry, you should take it to the next level. Approach the supervisor or manager of your loved one’s living unit and explain how you noticed injuries on your loved one and did not like the answer (or lack of answer) you received from the caregiver.
If you suspect the supervisor is party to the abuse or neglect, you should skip this step and escalate the matter to the next level.
Notify the Facility Manager
If you do not get a satisfactory explanation from either the caregiver or the supervisor, you should take your concerns all the way to the top and notify the manager or owner of the entire facility.
Contact Adult Protective Services
If you feel your loved one is in danger, file an immediate report with Adult Protective Services at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. You also might consider reaching out to the Oklahoma State Department of Health which provides a list of different agencies you can file a complaint against the nursing home and potentially stop this from happening to anyone else.
File a Police Report
If you have reason to believe a crime was committed—and nursing home abuse and neglect are crimes—file a report with the police department that has jurisdiction over the nursing home where your loved one resides.
Contact the Office of a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect abuse and want legal representation, you should get in touch with an Oklahoma City unexplained bruises or cuts or burns lawyer right away. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you even if you do not have firm evidence that abuse or neglect is taking place. We will investigate on your behalf and determine if you and your loved one have grounds to take legal action. Best of all, we do not charge a fee until we win your case, so there is no risk in talking to us and finding out what we can do for you.
Your Oklahoma City Nursing Home Abuse Compensation
If we investigate your loved one’s situation and determine that likely abuse or neglect is taking place, we will identify the responsible parties and take legal action against them. You and your loved one may be eligible for a substantial monetary award to compensate you for your economic and noneconomic losses resulting from the abuse or neglect. This settlement may include money for:
- Medical expenses to treat your loved one’s physical injuries
- Therapy and counseling bills for emotional distress
- Your lost income while dealing with your loved one’s situation
- Pain and suffering (for both you and your loved one)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Transference to a new facility
For a free legal consultation with a Oklahoma City Unexplained Bruises or Cuts or Burns Lawyer serving Oklahoma City, call (800) 794-0444
The Statute of Limitations
Oklahoma has a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits according to Oklahoma Statutes § 12-95, so it is critical to take action right away. Remember, the clock starts running the date the injury occurred, which may be weeks or months before you discover it.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Unexplained Bruises or Cuts or Burns Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for a Free Nursing Home Abuse Case Evaluation
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is ready to get to work for you today. An Oklahoma City unexplained bruises or cuts or burns lawyer from our team will fight to obtain compensation for your loved one’s nursing home injuries. There is no fee until we win. For a free consultation, call us today.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
