Nursing homes exist to provide your loved ones a safe space to live where they have constant access to support from caretakers for their health and wellbeing. An accident that happened due to negligence or abuse in a nursing home is intolerable. In some cases, mistreatment and accidents can lead to serious injuries to the elderly.
When the cause of an accident becomes clear, a Philadelphia nursing home accident lawyer can help protect your loved one’s legal rights. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help victims recover what they deserve in this area of personal injury. If you need help, do not hesitate to give us a call today at (800) 842-6336 for a free case evaluation.
Protection of Nursing Home Residents
A nursing home must provide food, personal hygiene supplies, shelter, and proper medical treatment to its residents. Elderly people depend on the staff and caregivers to treat them well since they have a legal duty to give residents a level of care that is based on nursing home standards. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), they must also follow the requirements stated in the Nursing Home Reform Act.
Regulations Exist to Protect Residents
The Nursing Home Reform Act serves to protect nursing home residents’ rights. This legislation protects the individuality, privacy, dignity, privacy, and medical needs of residents. It also guarantees that adequate medical care is provided to every resident, free from alienation and violence.
Therefore, a nursing facility is expected to employ a sufficient number of skilled staff to carry out all of its functions and follow policies that ensure the safety of residents. If you believe that your loved one has not been given adequate treatment, you may be able to recover your damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia Nursing Home Accidents Lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (800) 794-0444
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
If you think that your loved one has experienced a nursing home accident caused by abuse or neglect, it is recommended to get legal help as soon as you can. Some of the indicators of such an accident can include:
- Bruises
- Sprain
- Broken bones
- Changes in demeanor
All nursing home workers should not engage in any form of elderly abuse or neglect. If they engage in such behaviors, they can be held liable for their actions in a personal injury lawsuit. Nursing homes are also expected to protect their patients from being hurt by the staff, whether that may be through physical, financial, emotional, or sexual actions.
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Defining Negligence in a Nursing Home Accident
Many individuals acknowledge the challenges that nursing home and long-term care facility personnel deal with every day. By its nature, caregiving can be very stressful. Despite this, neglect and abuse that can lead to accidents should never be accepted.
Residents of nursing homes are usually in facilities because they can no longer care for themselves, nor can their immediate family. Their loved ones may choose a facility carefully, but accidents that result in injuries can still occur even in facilities with a good reputation.
Some rules violated by nursing homes that may lead to accidents include not developing a comprehensive care plan, not employing enough people, employing people with a history of abuse, and failing to ensure that the facility is free of hazards such as:
- Slippery floors
- Broken stairs
- Damaged wheelchairs and other equipment
Additionally, facilities that are poorly managed or are understaffed usually have more evidence of neglect and poor quality of service. When you obtain proof that the accident was caused by neglect, residents of nursing homes and their family members can seek compensation for damages that may include:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization, prescription medicines, and therapy
- Long-term care costs if a higher level of care is then required
- Emotional distress
- Funeral costs in wrongful death cases
Discovering or suspecting that accidents, such as slip and falls, happen in nursing homes is distressing for members of the resident’s family. When you visit your loved one, they may inform you of the abuse, mistreatment, and neglect. You may also even witness the nursing home staff’s wrongdoings yourself. As soon as you see forms of neglect, it is important to report to the authorities before they can harm others.
Get help from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to help you determine the cause of your loved one’s accident and which damages they may pursue.
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Important Evidence for Your Claim
It is vital to document the injuries from the accident to the best of your ability. This will aid in preserving potential evidence for your compensation claim. Supporting documentation can include:
- Testimony of witnesses
- Video evidence
- Photographic evidence of the scene and of injuries suffered
- Medical reports
With prompt legal support and advice, collecting all this evidence is manageable. In the state of Philadelphia, you have two years to file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim for a nursing home accident, as Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated (CSA) §5524 explains. The statute of limitations starts from the date of the accident. You could lose your chance to collect awards if you do not file your lawsuit in time.
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Hire a Philadelphia Nursing Home Accident Lawyer Today
When someone you love has been injured because of a nursing home accident caused by neglect, you might want to consider consulting a Philadelphia nursing home accident lawyer, so you can find out what your legal options are. We can help you hold the nursing home accountable for the accidents they have caused. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 842-6336.
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