Wrongful Death

Approximately 84 percent of nursing home abuse cases go unreported or unrecognized. Nursing home abuse has been called the hidden crime because it is often difficult to recognize, it has been concealed by nursing home staff, or the victims may be too frightened or incapacitated to communicate the abuse. Nursing home deaths are rarely detected by government inspectors, assessed by medical examiners, or investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement.

If your loved one has died as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may have a wrongful death claim. You will take an important first step toward getting justice for the death of your loved one by contacting the law offices of Brett & Coats, PLLC. By trusting us with your case, you are also helping the thousands of others who suffer in silence.

Nursing home deaths can be caused by abuse or neglect. The Office of the Inspector General has categorized several types of abuse sustained by the elderly in institutional settings that could lead to death:

• Physical abuse – infliction of pain or injury, including sexual abuse.
• Misuse of restraints – chemical or physical control of resident not in accordance with accepted medical practice or orders.
• Physical neglect – disregard for the necessities of daily living such as food, water, bathing and basic care.
• Medical neglect - lack of care for existing medical problems such as ignoring a necessary medical diet, not calling a physician when necessary, being unaware of potential side effects of medication or not taking action on a medical problem.

Nursing home abuse is a widespread problem in the United States today. Because of insufficient and poorly trained staff commonly found in nursing homes, care givers are often overworked and grossly underpaid, which often results in rude and abusive behavior to vulnerable residents.

When a loved one dies in a nursing home due to someone else’s reckless, careless or negligent acts, please contact a skilled attorney at Brett & Coats, PLLC to discuss your wrongful death claim. The loss of a loved one is often sudden and confusing, leaving family members feeling powerless and with many unanswered questions. Unfortunately, in the days and weeks following the death, critical evidence may be destroyed, and complex state laws governing wrongful death may eliminate the possibility of recovery or bar legal action when certain legal criteria or time limitations are not satisfied.

The experienced attorneys of Brett & Coats, PLLC will assist surviving family members by providing the family of a wrongful death victim with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of the claims, as well as survivor actions, estate issues, Social Security disability and widow benefits.

Most states have addressed the institutional abuse issue with laws that require doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to report suspected neglect to a designated state office. Laws further require nursing homes to investigate and report any abuse incidents that occur within their facility. Physicians, hospitals, nurses, therapists, aides, orderlies and administrators must provide adequate care, medical treatment and protection to the residents and patients in their facility.

Brett & Coats, PLLC wrongful death attorneys have represented many families who have suffered the devastating loss caused by a nursing home abuse or neglect. We offer a free initial evaluation of your claim, and our attorneys will negotiate a prompt, fair and just settlement or fight aggressively to ensure that survivors receive full maximum compensation in accordance with the law. Call the attorneys at Brett & Coats, PLLC today at 360-714-0900 of 1-800-925-1875, or contact us through our online form.