When you have worked so hard to make the right decisions for your elderly loved ones, discovering that nursing home abuse has occurred can be devastating. Fortunately, with the help of a Seattle nursing home abuse lawyer, you may be able to seek justice on their behalf. Look no further than the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC to learn about your options for legal recourse.
Although nursing homes are supposed to provide your loved ones with quality medical, personal, and social care, not all nursing homes live up to their responsibilities. Nursing home abuse occurs more frequently than you might expect. A Seattle nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate the abuse that your loved one endured and explore all possible avenues of compensation. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 712-9119 for a free consultation.
Nursing Home Abuse Facts
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), almost one of every three U.S. nursing homes has received citations for violating federal standards aimed at preventing harm to residents. Shockingly, ninety-five percent of nursing home residents surveyed indicated they had either suffered abuse themselves or seen another resident abused.
The American population is aging and living longer. Additional data from NCEA shows that more than 15% of the U.S. population is over the age of 65 in 2020, or close to 60 million people. Only ten years earlier, this age group measured about 45 million people. NCEA statistics also indicate that by 2050, the population over age 65 will likely be more than 20% of the American population.
In 2016, U.S. licensed nursing homes provided about 1.7 million beds for residents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, well over a million elderly Americans reside in nursing homes, not counting those who reside in assisted living facilities or who remain at home with home health care services. Our aging population is likely to result in the continued expansion of nursing homes and a rise in the number of nursing home residents—two statistics that likely increase the risk of nursing home abuse occurring.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Seattle, call (800) 712-9119
Defining Nursing Home Abuse
Washington has enacted laws that specifically address the abuse of vulnerable adults, which includes adults who are residing in nursing homes. Vulnerable adults include adults over the age of 60 who have functional, physical, or mental inabilities to care for themselves. This definition also encompasses adults of any age with developmental disabilities or who are otherwise incapacitated, as well as adults who have been admitted to any type of nursing home facility.
Revised Code of Washington § 74.34.020 defines abuse as “any injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment” of a vulnerable adult. This expansive definition explicitly includes physical, mental, and sexual abuse, as well as exploitation and improper use of restraints.
State laws also establish the legal obligations of nursing homes to reasonably protect vulnerable adults in their care from any type of abuse and mandate the duties of nursing homes to report and respond to allegations of abuse. Under Revised Code of Washington § 74.34.053, any operators or employees of nursing home facilities who knowingly fail to report abuse can face criminal charges.
State laws concerning the abuse of nursing home residents and other vulnerable adults create liability for nursing home owners, operators, and staff who fail to protect them. These laws also permit individuals who have suffered harm at the hands of the nursing home that was supposed to care for them to seek compensation through personal injury claims. As a result, you may have legal recourse if your loved one suffers from abuse while in nursing home care. A Seattle nursing home abuse lawyer can review your case and determine your legal options. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC today to learn more.
Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Damages in Nursing Home Abuse Claims
Washington state law permits nursing home residents to seek compensation for injuries they received as a result of abuse, whether from staff members, other residents, or third parties. The type of compensation available depends on the extent of the abuse, the nature of the abuse, and the injuries suffered. Nonetheless, common injuries in nursing home abuse claims include:
- Medical expenses to treat injuries
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Loss of quality of life in the case of permanent impairments
In some cases, nursing home abuse can be fatal. If you lose your loved one to nursing home abuse, you and other immediate family members may have a claim for wrongful death. Damages in a wrongful death case differ somewhat from those in personal injury cases, but may include compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship for surviving spouses, and more.
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You Do Not Have to Fight Nursing Home Abuse Alone
The horror of discovering that your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home can be difficult to manage on your own. Although legal options for compensation often exist in this situation, you may be overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
A Seattle nursing home abuse lawyer can fully investigate the abuse that occurred and obtain all records necessary to document the abuse. Legal counsel can also talk to experts, interview witnesses, gather surveillance footage, and review medical records to build a claim for damages. Together, you can work to achieve justice for your loved one and pursue compensation to help make your loved one and family whole.
Take the first step to begin your fight today. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 712-9119.
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