Millions of elderly people across the country are placed in nursing homes to protect them during their vulnerable years. Sadly, many of these seniors will experience some form of elder abuse. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that there are several types of elder abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, or financial abuse.
If you suspect your loved one has experienced or is currently experiencing abuse in a nursing home, you can file a report with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. A Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can also help you fight for justice on behalf of your loved one.
When you entrust a nursing home to care for your loved one and discover they have not fulfilled their promise, it can be a devastating experience for the entire family. We are here to guide you through the legal process and help your family heal. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 712-9119 for a free consultation.
Potential Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse
Placing your loved one in a nursing is often a difficult decision. When you learn they have experienced nursing home abuse, you may immediately blame yourself—but you and your family are not at fault for your loved one’s abuse. By pursuing your case, you may even help protect other residents from experiencing the same abuse.
A Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can review your case and help you fight for the compensation your family deserves. For example, if you had to relocate your loved one to a new facility to protect them, those expenses should be covered. Other forms of potential compensation include medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.
Medical Expenses
If your elderly loved one required medical care as a result of their nursing home abuse, these costs can be included in your claim. Examples of medical expenses include:
- Doctor visits
- Surgeries
- Medications
- Rehabilitation services
Property Damage
Your loved one may have had their possessions stolen or misused while in the care of a nursing home. This can include anything from missing material possessions, such as jewelry and other valuable items, to unauthorized charges on an elderly resident’s credit card.
Pain and Suffering
Sadly, an overwhelming majority of nursing home residents do not report their abuse due to mental incapacity or fear of retaliation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only one of every 24 elder abuse cases is reported.
If your loved one has experienced stress, anxiety, depression, mental anguish, or other forms of pain and suffering due to nursing home abuse, you can and should include these non-economic losses in your damages.
Wrongful Death
If nursing home abuse cost your loved one their life, a Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can help your family file a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility to recover funeral and burial expenses and other economic costs associated with the death of your loved one. There are also many non-economic damages to consider, such as loss of companionship, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and more.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Tacoma, call (800) 712-9119
The Role of a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Aside from helping your family determine the value of your nursing home abuse claim, a Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can guide your family through the often-complex legal process of seeking compensation and justice.
To do so, a lawyer can help your family by:
- Investigating your loved one’s abuse
- Obtaining evidence related to your claim
- Helping you file an abuse report with the state of Washington
- Calculating your damages
- Handling all communications with opposing insurance companies
- Negotiating on your behalf for a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court
These are some of the ways that Ben Crump Law, PLLC can support your loved one’s nursing home abuse case. Contact us today to discuss your next steps with a member of our team.
Tacoma Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If we are unable to reach a fair settlement during out-of-court negotiations, our Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyers can pursue a personal injury lawsuit on your family’s behalf. To do so, we must file your claim within the statute of limitations established by the state of Washington. Statutes of limitations are set in place to determine how long you have to legally file a claim in court.
As stated in Revised Code of Washington § 4.16.080, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is generally three years after the incident. If you fail to submit your lawsuit within three years of the date of your loved one’s abuse, the case will likely be dismissed and you will lose your right to pursue compensation.
Click to contact our Tacoma Personal Injury Lawyers today
Let Us Help You Seek Justice for Your Loved One
No elderly person should ever suffer abuse in a nursing home. But as the population continues to age and nursing homes continue to be understaffed, this heartbreaking problem is not likely to go away anytime soon.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we are ready to support you and your family as you seek justice for your loved one’s nursing home abuse. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. We only collect a fee if we are able to win your case—so you can focus on helping your family through this experience and leave the rest to us.
To schedule a free consultation, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 712-9119.
Call or text (800) 712-9119 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
