We can help you fight back on your loved one’s behalf.
If your loved one suffered injuries and financial expenses due to abuse at their assisted living facility, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can take on your case and help you recover compensation for your losses.
A Washington DC assisted living abuse lawyer from our firm can evaluate your loved one’s case to see if you are entitled to financial recovery. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can protect your loved one’s legal rights and determine whether you have a claim against a negligent assisted living facility.
Damages in Assisted Living Abuse Claims
If you can prove that an assisted living facility failed to keep your loved one safe from abuse or neglect, you could potentially receive compensation. However, assisted living neglect cases can vary considerably in severity.
While there is no average settlement amount, you could receive economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Economic Awards You Could Recover
Economic expenses should reimburse victims or their families for any monetary damages resulting from abuse or neglect. Economic damages can include but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-Economic Awards You Could Recover
While economic damages can be easy to prove with the appropriate statements and receipts confirming expenses, non-economic damages relating to suffering and loss of life quality can be much more challenging to determine.
Non-economic damages that may be available with a lawsuit against an assisted living facility could include awards for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of life quality and enjoyment
Proving economic and, in particular, non-economic damages will require presenting a compelling case with the relevant evidence. Allowing a Pintas & Mullins Law Firm assisted living abuse lawyer to build your case and represent your best interests can take a weight off your shoulders.
Proving Negligence in Washington DC Assisted Living Facilities
Although assisted living facilities are generally not as tightly regulated as nursing homes, they nevertheless have the responsibility to provide adequate assistance and care to residents. This includes helping residents with daily tasks and keeping them safe from abuse and neglect.
According to DC Health, licensed assisted living facilities must observe the Assisted Living Residence Regulatory (ALR) Act of 2000. The act focuses on the residents’ quality of life and seeks to ensure that a facility meets all areas of residents’ needs.
An assisted living facility also has a general “duty of care” towards residents. If an assisted living facility physically or emotionally abused your loved one (or otherwise mistreated them), you could potentially sue the facility.
However, to have a case against an assisted living facility, you will have to prove that:
- The facility breached its duty of care towards your loved one
- Your loved one suffered injuries and damages as a result of the breach
Assisted Living Facility Responsibilities
When a loved one moves into an assisted living facility, relatives often breathe a sigh of relief and feel safe knowing that their loved one receives assistance and care while still retaining some independence.
An assisted living facility provides many services to residents, including:
- Meal preparation
- Monitoring residents’ health
- Assistance with basic medical care and medications
- Helping with household tasks
- Assistance with personal hygiene
- Providing social activities
Assisted living facilities are responsible for keeping residents safe from harm, abuse, and neglect.
Ways the Facility Could Be Negligent
An assisted living facility can potentially be guilty of breaching its duty of care in various ways, such as violating federal and state regulations.
One such regulation in DC mandates that facilities conduct appropriate background checks on personnel. According to the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, no facility should employ an unlicensed person with certain criminal records or nurses on the state’s nurse aide abuse registry.
Facilities could also potentially be negligent if they:
- Do not provide adequate or qualified staff to meet residents’ needs
- There is negligent security at the property
There could also be other ways in which an assisted living facility might be negligent. If your loved one suffered from mistreatment and abuse at their facility, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. A Washington DC assisted living abuse lawyer from our team can protect your loved one’s rights and determine whether you have legal recourse.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Abuse in Assisted Living Facilities
Sadly, not all assisted living facilities act in the best interests of their residents and abuse them. Types of abuse in assisted living can include:
- Physical abuse and violence
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional and verbal abuse
- General neglect
- Financial exploitation
Abuse can be challenging to detect. However, noticing the following signs and symptoms should raise some red flags:
- Unexplained fractures and other injuries
- Bloody or stained underwear
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Frequent infections
- Extensive bruising
- Depression and anxiety
- Fear of caregivers
- Withdrawal and isolation
If you know or suspect that your loved one suffers from abuse or neglect in their assisted living facility, you can consult with an assisted living abuse lawyer about your next best steps. Your attorney can also advise you about any legal options available to you and your loved one as you could potentially recover compensation.
Your Washington DC Assisted Living Abuse Lawyer Is Here for You
While it can be challenging to stand up against a facility on your own, a Washington DC assisted living abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can be with you every step of the way. We can help you hold an assisted living facility to account to receive your due.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to determine whether you have a case at (800) 223-5115.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form