Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable members of society. Many of these individuals and their families rely on nursing homes to provide care and comfort, which makes it all the more upsetting when workers at these facilities intentionally or neglectfully harm their residents. While it is clear that the people committing these acts should be liable for their abuses, what most people do not know is that the nursing homes that employ these people are likely to share liability.
A Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyer is dedicated to helping the residents of nursing homes and their family members hold abusers accountable for their actions. This includes pursuing personal injury lawsuits that demand appropriate compensation for a resident’s losses and that aim to discourage future abusive behavior. Reach out to our team at Smith Hulsey today to learn more about your options.
Every nursing home resident should be able to live their life in comfort and stability. The state’s Nursing Home Resident’s Bill of Rights establishes the bare minimum care that a nursing home must provide to all residents. A vital portion of this legislation states that nursing homes must provide a location that is free from the abuses of employees and other residents.
Sadly, failures to adhere to these requirements are common. This can involve situations where a worker uses a nonapproved restraint technique or even intentionally strikes a resident. The resulting physical injuries and emotional traumas can form the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. A Cleveland nursing home injury attorney could provide more information about the legal rights of residents and take the lead in investigating the cause of an unexplained injury.
Nursing home abuse can also take the form of neglect or mistakes. If employees are not properly trained, they might lack the ability to properly care for residents. Anyone who suspects that their family member is being neglected in an assisted living facility should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible to go over their legal options.
Elder abuse is a pervasive issue in nursing homes. Naturally, the people who commit these abuses should face the consequences of their actions. This includes both a possible criminal investigation for illegal activity as well as personal liability for all resulting damage through a civil lawsuit. An attorney could start this process by filing an official complaint with the state as permitted under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-8-57.
In addition, the nursing homes themselves may share responsibility for the incident. A legal concept called respondeat superior states that an employer is jointly liable for the actions of their employees while those employees are on the job. Since this abusive action is likely to occur at the nursing facility, it is usually possible to name a nursing home as a joint defendant in demands for compensation.
An injury claim must take into account the full extent the abuse’s effects on resident’s life. The most obvious impact is the physical injuries that result from these events. These can include broken bones, deep bruising, or concussions. When abuse takes the form of neglect, injuries may involve malnutrition, dehydration, or bed sores.
Talking with a Cleveland nursing home abuse attorney could help residents and families to pursue cases for their full value. This includes demanding compensation for physical injuries and the emotional trauma that often follows these incidents.
Abusive behavior is unfortunately common in nursing homes. With many residents being unable to protect themselves, workers may feel as though they will face no consequences for their actions. In addition, the nursing homes themselves may employ lax training or screening methods or turn a blind eye to violence.
A Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyer knows better. At Smith Hulsey, we work to hold nursing home abusers liable for their actions and seek out the compensation that residents deserve. Give us a call today to set up a free consultation.
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