If your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility, a Phoenix assisted living abuse lawyer can help you find out about your legal options. You could potentially hold the assisted living facility responsible for the actions or failures of employees and management. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a complimentary consultation at (800) 223-5115.
Types of Elder Abuse You May Be Able to Include in Your Claim
Perpetrators can include staff, visitors, residents, and others at assisted living facilities. Older adults with dementia or other cognitive impairment are particularly at risk of suffering from abuse and neglect, according to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
Since there can be many different types of elder abuse, the signs and symptoms of abuse can vary accordingly. Some types of elder abuse our clients have included in their lawsuits include:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse signs can be quite obvious and may include fractures, bruises, dislocations, and sprains. Those who had to endure physical abuse most likely also show mental changes and may become fearful of caregivers or withdrawn.
Emotional Abuse
While emotional abuse can be tricky to detect, character changes can be an obvious sign that something is not right with a senior. Depression or severe anxiety, as well as social isolation, can point to emotional abuse.
General Neglect
General neglect can have various consequences. A senior who does not receive adequate nourishment, for example, may suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, and rapid weight loss. When staff neglects a resident’s personal hygiene, they could be at a higher risk for developing bedsores and other preventable infections and illnesses.
Sexual Abuse
Signs of sexual abuse can include sexually transmitted diseases, bleeding and bruising around the genitals, and new problems with sitting and walking. Sexually abused seniors may also show emotional agitation and suffer from panic attacks.
Abuse of seniors is an egregious crime. However, you are not alone, and we can help you hold those responsible to account. In some cases, residents may suffer only minor effects from neglect, and this can be resolved by moving them into another facility.
However, victims of serious neglect or abuse at their assisted living facility may need extensive medical evaluation and treatments for any physical or psychological injuries. This can lead to costly and ongoing medical expenses for a senior and their family.
Compensation that Could Be Available
First of all, it will be important to act in a timely manner if you hope to recover compensation for any medical bills and other damages due. The Arizona statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally only two years, according to Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542.
Missing this deadline could mean that you are left without legal recourse and compensation. The time generally starts ticking on the day the injury occurred.
If you are able to prove the assisted living facility’s negligence, you can potentially seek damages, including:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Costs for medical accessories such as a wheelchair
- Costs for rehabilitative therapies
- Transportation costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Awards for physical and emotional pain and anguish
- Loss of life quality
If this has happened to you or your loved one, you should contact an assisted living abuse attorney’s law firm for help. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can inform you of your legal rights and potential legal action you can take to get compensation.
An assisted living abuse lawyer can analyze your claim and advise you comprehensively on your legal options and the potential worth of your claim. We handle all types of assisted living facility abuse and neglect, including physical violence, emotional and verbal abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and others.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Filing a Complaint with the Department of Economic Security (DES)
If you detect any worrying signs and symptoms in your loved one in an assisted living facility, you should dig deeper to find out the root cause, as they could be suffering from abuse or neglect. You should speak to employees of the assisted living facility and raise your concerns.
However, if the answers to your questions remain unsatisfactory, you can take further action and report your findings to Arizona’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman under the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). Arizona’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can offer help for residents and relatives as well as investigate complaints regarding assisted living facilities.
Unfortunately, families can hit a wall when demanding justice for their loved ones. If your loved one suffered injuries and financial losses due to abuse and neglect in their assisted living facility, it might be a struggle to get support, justice, and compensation.
The facility will most likely deny any allegations of mistreatment or wrongdoing. Therefore, you may want to consider hiring a Phoenix assisted living abuse lawyer when you become aware of your loved one’s abuse or neglect. Your lawyer can take the necessary steps to protect your rights and fight for what you deserve.
Your Phoenix Assisted Living Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you hold the perpetrators to account for causing unnecessary suffering and financial damage to your loved one and your family.
Your assisted living abuse lawyer is here for you. Call us today at (800) 223-5115 and secure a free case evaluation with one of our dedicated and compassionate team members.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form