Nursing Home Abuse / Nursing Home Neglect
Frith Law Firm is dedicated to aggressively representing injured
nursing home residents and their families. With over 1.5 million
elderly adults living in nursing homes throughout the United States,
nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect have become widespread. Unfortunately, these
travesties occur as a result of reckless or negligent behavior by
nursing home staff. Neglect and abuse can take many forms including
assault, bedsores, unreasonable physical restraint, sexual assault,
medication errors, deprivation of food and water, or failure to
provide medical care.
According to the most
recent federal study, over 91% of the nursing homes in the United
States have insufficient nurse aid staffing levels to provide the
necessary care to nursing home residents. In addition, over 40% of
all nursing homes would have to increase nurse aid staff by 50% or
more to reach the minimum threshold necessary to meet the resident's
needs (Source: Report
to Congress: Appropriateness of Minimum Nurse Staffing Ratios In
Nursing Homes Phase II Final Report, HCFA, March 19, 2002).
Frith Law Firm has the experience, skill, and compassion to
effectively represent you and hold nursing homes accountable for the
harm that they cause. If someone you love is a victim of nursing
home abuse or nursing home neglect, click
here for a free case
evaluation.
Nursing Home Abuse Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect claim?
These claims arise in numerous situations including cases involving repeated falls, malnutrition, the development of bedsores or decubitus ulcers, dehydration, medication errors, and physical attacks/assaults by other residents or staff.
How do I know if my loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect?
The best advice is to visit your loved one frequently and at different times of the day and day of the week. Your close observations will tell you if the resident is being well feed and cared for. If your family member has bed sores, ask to see the wounds and ask how this medical problem will be addressed. Talk to roommates and nurses on the floor.
Should I move my loved one to a different nursing home?
Yes. If you decide to keep your loved one in the same nursing home that you are pursuing for nursing home abuse, you risk mistreatment (retaliation) by disgruntled nursing home personnel. If the nursing home has failed to provide the necessary care for your resident, move to a facility that will.
How much will a nursing home abuse claim cost?
No nursing home claim is the same. We have successfully concluded cases where no more than several hundred dollars in costs have been incurred. In other cases, the costs for medical experts can cost anywhere from several thousand dollars to over $30,000.
Will we have to go to trial?
A majority of nursing home abuse cases are settled. However, it is impossible to know which case will settle and which will be tried in a court of law. Do not undertake the prosecution of a nursing home abuse case unless you are willing and committed to try the case if necessary.
Why do we have to pay back Medicare/Medicaid?
Medicare and Medicaid are entitled to repayment of certain amounts under Federal and state laws. Medicaid/Medicare are deemed to be “secondary payers” and always ask for reimbursement in these types of cases. We work very hard to reduce the conditional payments as much as possible, but we can not avoid repayment of a portion of the expenses paid by Medicaid or Medicare.
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