Steps To Take When Suspecting Nursing Home Abuse

Suspecting nursing home abuse can be distressing, but it’s important to remain calm and act promptly. The steps we take can make a significant difference in the life of the victim and can potentially protect others from experiencing a similar ordeal.

In the face of such adversity, it’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed. However, by following a few key steps, we can navigate this challenging situation and ensure the best possible outcome for the victim and their family.

Contacting An Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Our initial action when suspecting nursing home abuse should be to reach out to a seasoned Atlanta nursing home abuse lawyer. An attorney can provide us with legal guidance and help us navigate through the complex legal process.

Choosing the right attorney is crucial. Look for an attorney who specializes in elder abuse cases and has a proven track record of success. An attorney can guide us through the legal process, assess the strength of our case, and help us understand our legal options.

The lawyer can also instigate several legal actions against the nursing home, like filing lawsuits for the victims, claiming compensation for damages, and advocating for policy and practice changes to prevent further abuse.

Documenting Evidence

Once an attorney has been contacted, our subsequent step is to gather evidence. Evidence plays a vital role in nursing home abuse cases, as it strengthens our case and substantiates our claims.

Evidence can take many forms, including photographs of injuries, medical records, and records of concerning incidents. The process of documenting evidence should be thorough and systematic. We should collect and preserve all relevant data, gather witness testimonies, keep detailed records of signs of abuse and neglect, and document all signs of abuse.

Finding Witnesses

Witnesses can play a pivotal role in a nursing home abuse case. Their testimony can provide firsthand accounts of the abuse, aiding in establishing the facts of the case. Finding and interviewing witnesses can be a challenging task, but it’s a vital step in building a strong case against the nursing home.

Witnesses could include individuals who witnessed the abuse, medical providers who treated the victim, or visitors who observed signs of abuse or neglect. Their testimony can inform the court about the nature and effect of the abuse, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Compensation For Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Victims of nursing home abuse have already suffered considerably. It’s only just that they are compensated for the harm they’ve sustained. In most nursing home abuse cases, victims may be entitled to compensation for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

While the process of claiming compensation can be intricate, an experienced attorney specializing in personal injury law can assist victims in navigating the legal process and seeking the compensation they are entitled to.

Economic Damages

Economic damages refer to the tangible losses suffered by the victim. These include medical expenses, therapy costs, and other financial losses resulting from the abuse.

The calculation of economic damages involves a detailed assessment of the victim’s medical bills, treatment costs, and any other expenses incurred as a result of the abuse. Furthermore, future medical expenses may also be factored in, such as ongoing medical care or therapy that the victim may require as a result of the abuse.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the intangible losses suffered by the victim. They include factors such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Calculating non-economic damages can be complex, as it involves putting a monetary value on intangible losses. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, victims can seek fair compensation for these damages. Factors such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of activities, and worsening of overall quality of life may be taken into consideration when assessing non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

In cases of extreme negligence or malicious intent, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are not intended to compensate the victim, but rather to punish the responsible party and deter future misconduct.

Punitive damages send a powerful message to nursing homes that abusive and negligent behavior will not be tolerated. By imposing financial penalties on the responsible parties, they serve as a punishment for their actions and a deterrent for future misconduct.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact The Turnbull Firm today for a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta nursing home attorney who will fight tirelessly for justice and the rights of vulnerable elders. Together, we can make a difference.