How to Hire the Right Attorney for Your Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case
Older people are facing higher rates of abuse and neglect in nursing homes and long-term care facilities all over the globe. According to recent data gathered by the United Nations, 2 in 3 nursing home staff report that they have committed abuse in the past year. Physical abuse can lead to issues such as psychological damage, concussions, and broken bones, while neglect or carelessness can result in serious injuries or illnesses. In worst-case scenarios, abuse or neglect may even lead to premature death.
If your senior loved one is experiencing emotional distress or has physical injuries due to abuse, confronting the staff or relocating your relative to another nursing home may address the situation. However, that may not be enough to help your relative heal. You will also need to seek justice and compensation for everything that they went through so they can move on with their life.
To accomplish this, you will need a legal expert to walk you through the entire process and ensure a favorable outcome. If you suspect that your elderly loved one is being abused or neglected in the nursing home, here is how to hire the right attorney to help you build your case.
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Look for a Lawyer with Relevant Experience
When seeking a lawyer to take your case, seeking legal help from an equipped attorney to handle nursing home abuse is vital. Just as you would not go to a cardiologist to deal with a broken bone, there is no reason to go to a personal injury attorney or a family law attorney to help you build a case. For the best outcome, you need to retain an attorney who understands the elder abuse law and can help you navigate the aspects and legal issues involved in a nursing home abuse or neglect case.
You will also need to choose a lawyer who lives within your area since state laws can vary in their definitions of elder neglect or abuse. A local nursing home abuse attorney will be able to quickly gather evidence while keeping constant and consistent communication with you. They can also help you arrange a face-to-face meeting with the facility’s staff or management team and handle legal paperwork. So, for instance, if you and your senior family member live in Pennsylvania, it is wise to choose an elderly abuse attorney from www.cohenfeeley.com since they work in the state. Moreover, they are experts in ensuring the safety and well-being of older adults.
An Attorney Who Will Go the Extra Mile
A lawyer who has your best interest at heart will go the extra mile to help you win your case. This commitment means that they should be willing to look at the case from all angles and use their knowledge and expertise to overcome any obstacles that may come their way. For instance, while investigating your claims, a good lawyer will continue after they have gotten hold of your relative’s medical records. Apart from documenting injuries, a competent attorney will do other things, such as tracking down the nursing home’s former employees and getting statements to help build a strong case against the institution.
The lawyer may also employ other tactics, such as using private investigators and auditing the facility’s medical records. To obtain the best results, the ideal lawyer should leave no stone unturned to prove that your loved one was indeed abused or neglected by the nursing home’s staff.
A Lawyer Who Empathizes and Understands You
Caring for an elderly loved one provides a sense of purpose for many people. But if one’s senior relative needs special care, then it is necessary to have them stay in a place with adequate care. Most people who have sent their parents to a nursing home have high expectations of how the staff will treat their loved ones. This anticipation is why it can be devastating when it turns out that the people who are supposed to take care of our senior parents or relatives are the ones who end up hurting them instead.
An excellent attorney will not blame you for your choices to ensure your parent’s care. Since this is a sensitive and emotional time for you, your lawyer should help you stay calm and focused so you can give them the information they need to build a case. They will never make you feel like you are bothering them or taking up too much of their time, and they will practice empathy as both of you work together to achieve a common goal.
The effects of elder abuse or neglect can be detrimental to your loved one’s well-being. Consider the qualities mentioned above before choosing a lawyer to represent you and your senior relative, and let your attorney help you get the proper compensation your loved one deserves.
