Representing Nursing Home Residents
Nursing home malpractice occurs when a nursing home professional commits an intentional or negligent act that places a nursing home resident in harm's way. Whether the act affects the resident mentally or physically, the ramifications can be both emotionally and financially costly.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of nursing home malpractice, our Ridgefield nursing home abuse attorneys can assist you with your claim. Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP will hire experts to strengthen your case. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not get paid unless you get paid. Since 1988, we have capably represented clients throughout Connecticut.
Contact our firm today to speak with a trusted attorney.
What is nursing home malpractice?
Nursing home malpractice is the deviation from the acceptable medical standard of care, which results in some type of harm, abuse, or neglect to the patient. While most facilities attempt to provide competent care, occasionally the quality of care does not meet standards. General neglect is the most common form of nursing home malpractice.
Examples of general neglect may include:
- Failure to assist in personal hygiene
- Failure to provide appropriate medical care
- Failure to provide appropriate food, clothing, and shelter
- Failure to prevent or treat malnutrition and dehydration
- Failure to prevent falls
- Failure to provide a safe environment
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Any act of abuse, neglect, or failure to act perpetuated by staff members that causes harm to a resident could be considered nursing home malpractice. Make sure to check your loved one for signs of abuse.
Signs of nursing home abuse may include the following:
- Bedsores
- Pressure sores
- Infections
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Unexplained ailments
- Undetected or misdiagnosed medical conditions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medication errors
- Inappropriate physical restraint
- Untreated pain
Nursing home negligence also includes inadequate staffing, inexperienced or under-trained staff, negligent supervision, and patient isolation. A worst case scenario can result in a wrongful death claim.
When the minimum standards governing the nursing home industry not met, the party responsible can be held accountable for any damages caused by the malpractice. Elder abuse in a nursing home is also a malpractice. Different types of elder abuse include physical abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and health care fraud.
How is liability determined in a nursing home malpractice case?
Nursing homes and its staff, like doctors and hospitals, are obligated to meet professionals' standards of care. Negligently failing to meet these standards may make one liable for nursing home malpractice. Meeting with a nursing home negligence lawyer can help determine whether you have a nursing home malpractice case.
What compensation might I receive if my case is successful?
If your case is successful, you may be eligible to receive a variety of compensation. Although this cannot fully make up for damages endured, it is intended to relieve any financial stress you or your loved one may experience or have experienced as a result of the nursing home abuse.
The liable party may owe compensation for the following:
- Former and future medical care and associated expenses
- Previous and pending income lost because of the nursing home malpractice accident
- Undeviating physical disability or disfigurement
- Loss of family, social, and educational events
- Emotional damages
If the plaintiff shows the defendant's conduct was worse than negligent, then this might justify a punitive damage pay out. Conduct justifying punitive damages in a nursing home malpractice case represents conduct that the public policy of a state finds reprehensible, typically an intentional act or one with reckless indifference to the rights of others.
Put 100 Years of Collective Firm Experience to Work for You!
If you or someone you know is a victim of nursing home malpractice or abuse, contact our Ridgefield nursing home abuse attorneys from Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP immediately. If it appears you have a viable malpractice claim, our team will work with you to review the facts of your case. We can arrange for your medical records to be reviewed by a doctor and will investigate the circumstances of your case. As a life-long member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, our firm knows how to get results and will put our experience to work for our clients.
Call (203) 438-7450 for a free case evaluation!