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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. |
