Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Sometimes a person may require special care, supervision, and medical treatment when they get older. Nursing homes are meant to provide such care to the elderly, but unfortunately, the staff may not always provide the care a patient is supposed to receive. They also may not treat the patient in an ethical or appropriate manner. It is important to be aware of signs of exploitation. Nursing home abuse can include malnutrition, negligent care, physical assault, sexual abuse and even incidents of theft. Being aware of different signs can help in determining whether or not your loved one has been a victim of abuse.

If you believe your elderly loved one suffered nursing home abuse in Arizona, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Gerber Injury Law. We are extremely passionate about protecting the rights, lives and safety of Arizona’s elderly. We can represent your loved one or family during a nursing home abuse claim in Phoenix, Peoria, Avondale, Scottsdale, Mesa or Surprise, Arizona. Our attorneys may be able to obtain justice and financial compensation for the abuse your loved one has endured.

Why Choose Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers?

• Our clients become like family. We truly care about the individuals and families we represent. We go above and beyond to make our clients feel taken care of.
• Our lead attorney, Ken Gerber, uses aggressive legal tactics. We take nursing home abuse very seriously. Ken will use proven and proactive strategies to fight for maximum compensation.
• Our lawyers can go to trial. If a nursing home in Arizona is unwilling to settle with your family, we can take the defendant to trial in your county for a resolution.
• Our clients pay nothing for initial consultations. You can speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer about your case in detail at no cost or obligation to hire our law firm.

Why You Need an Attorney in Arizona

Nursing home abuse cases are particularly emotional for those involved. It can be mentally draining to deal with a civil lawsuit on top of taking care of your loved one and coping with the aftermath of nursing home abuse. When you hire a lawyer in Arizona, you gain access to a team of professionals who can take care of your case for you. While you focus on healing and moving forward with your family, your lawyer can address legal issues such as proving fault and fighting for fair compensation. A lawyer will not let your family settle for less than your case demands.

Important Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take the form of intentional physical harm, verbal or mental abuse, financial exploitation, sexual assault, and elderly neglect. As a loved one, one of your responsibilities should be to check in on your relative often. Many abused nursing home residents do not come forward or report abuse. It is up to you to remain vigilant in looking for red flags or potential signs of abuse and neglect.

• Marks on their body that denote force, bruises, burns or broken bones
• Weight loss, bedsores, significantly poor hygiene and lack of attention to medical needs
• Sudden emotional withdrawal from everyday activities and conversation
• Bruising on or around the genital area or breasts
• Missing possessions or significant difference in financial record
• Awkward or tense relationship between the nursing home employee and your loved one

These are just a few of many ways in which the personnel at a nursing home could be guilty of abuse. If you believe that you or someone you love has suffered from such abuse and personal injury, you may be able to seek compensation, however you must build a strong case with help from a lawyer. For this reason, we encourage you to contact a skilled injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ.

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

Never assume your loved one is safe from nursing home abuse. As the resident of any type of elderly care center, long-term living facility, rehabilitation center or senior community, your loved one could face crimes against him or her as a vulnerable person. Sadly, criminals often target senior citizens due to their helplessness and vulnerability. Nursing home abuse occurs more often in Arizona and around the country than most families realize.

• Approximately 10% of elderly people face some form of abuse in the US. The true percentage may be much higher, however, due to underreporting.
• The most commonly reported types of elder abuse (in order) are verbal mistreatment, financial exploitation and physical abuse.
• Elder abuse is significantly underreported. One study found that for every reported case, 24 went unreported.
• Those most at risk for elder abuse are seniors with little to no social support. Dementia, previous traumatic events, functional impairment and poor health are also risk factors.
• Female nursing home residents are more likely to experience abuse than male residents. Younger residents may be at a higher risk of abuse as well.
• Abusers can be nursing home staff members, supervisors, cleaning crew members, caregivers, social service workers and even family members. Check in with your elderly loved one often to search for any changes in his or her behavior, mental state, emotions or appearance. If you notice any red flags that could point to abuse, act immediately.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

The day you realize your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect should be his or her last day at the facility. Remove your family member from harm’s way immediately. Call 911 to report your suspicions and initiate an investigation by law enforcement. You should also notify the manager or owner of the nursing home of the situation. If you or your loved one needs help with the reporting process as the victim of abuse, contact the Arizona Ombudsman Program nearest you for support.

Start collecting evidence of nursing home abuse, if possible. Take photographs of any physical signs of abuse or neglect on your loved one’s body. This may include bruises, burns, bite marks, strap marks or bedsores. Write down everything you have done so far, including conversations you have had with nursing home administrators and your loved one. File a complaint against the facility to the appropriate state agency.

Then, contact an Arizona nursing home abuse lawyer to learn your loved one’s rights. 

A lawyer will treat your loved one with dignity and respect. Your attorney can explain the nursing home resident’s Bill of Rights as per federal elder protection laws, as well as any relevant state laws that may apply. Your lawyer can help you file a complaint and document your case. A lawyer could also file a civil claim against the nursing home in pursuit of financial compensation for economic and noneconomic damages. Most importantly, your lawyer can speak to your loved one and work closely with your family to make sure he or she is coping and recovering in a healthy way.

Compensation Available for Nursing Home Abuse

At Gerber Injury Law, we realize clients do not come to us for help with nursing home abuse claims for the money alone. We are just as passionate as our clients about seeking justice by holding abusive, criminal and negligent nursing homes and their employees accountable for their actions. However, we also recognize the importance of recovering financial compensation for families in the face of an egregious wrongdoing such as nursing home abuse.

• Past and future medical expenses for the survivor
• Therapies and/or rehabilitation
• Medications, medical devices and live-in care
• The survivor’s mental anguish and emotional distress
• The survivor’s physical pain and suffering or lost quality of life
• Your family’s legal fees and filing costs

The law in Arizona may also entitle your family to recover punitive damages – an additional award to punish the nursing home for gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. The value of your nursing home abuse claim can depend on many factors. Contact us for a free case overview and estimation of its worth.

Hiring a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

It is nearly impossible to win maximum compensation without representation from a qualified attorney. At Gerber Injury Law, we understand your pain and suffering and want nothing more than to help you fight for justice. Our firm has been in practice for more than 20 years, giving us the experience and resources to study your situation in detail and present a strong case. With our help, you could be compensated for the injuries you or your loved one has sustained because of negligence or abuse in a nursing home. Consult with a nursing home neglect lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.

Founding Phoenix personal injury attorney, Ken Gerber, has handled hundreds of personal injury trial cases during his years in practice. Should your case need to be brought to trial, he has the experience and aggression to fight for the payment you deserve. Our firm could also provide helpful counsel and guide you through your difficult and confusing legal process. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more.