Justice For Our Loved Ones
I know how difficult the choice is: an elderly relative is unable to care for himself or herself, and your family has made the decision to place them in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
As hard as the choice was to make, you assumed that your loved one would be safe there—that is, after all, the reason they were to live in the facility in the first place.
So what are you to make of the phone call you received informing you that your beloved relative was seriously injured? What are you supposed to think when the nursing home staff refuses to take responsibility for the injury of your loved one? You might feel incredibly angry, as you should. You may also feel confused and unsure of where to go next—but that’s where we come in.
Virginia Nursing Home Injury Lawyer
Our Virginia personal injury law firm specializes in handling nursing home injury, abuse, and wrongful death cases. Nursing home staff are going to try to absolve themselves of the responsibility they have to protect your family members from harm and injury; do not give them the luxury.
If your loved one was injured due to a nursing home staff’s neglect and abdication of their responsibility to protect and care for your family, then they deserve to pay. You placed your trust in them, and they betrayed that trust; they should not be allowed to get away with it.
When Nursing Homes are Liable
Nursing homes can be held legally responsible for the damages their employees, policies or procedures cause. Damages available in such claims can include medical bills, disability, pain and suffering, and disfigurement. Grounds for a nursing home lawsuit may include:
- Negligent Hiring Practices – Nursing homes owe it to their patients to perform extensive background check and hire only the most qualified professionals. When a facility fails to do their due diligence, they risk exposing patients to employees of questionable backgrounds. Should abuse or neglect occur as a result of negligent hiring practices, the nursing home can be sued.
- Under Staffing Policies – Understaffed nursing homes inevitably lead to neglect. A low staff-to-patient ratio causes more work for the employees without compensating them fairly for the increased workload. This leads to burnout and compassion fatigue. Should a resident suffer injuries or die as a result of understaffing, the facility can be held liable.
- Lack of Training – Nursing home employees should be thoroughly trained in the procedures necessary for the daily operation of their facility. When training is incomplete, accidents can occur. Inadequate training can lead to injuries and fatalities, and ultimately, a lawsuit.
These are just some of the most common causes of nursing home lawsuits, but it is far from a comprehensive list. If you believe you have reason to file a lawsuit, it’s best to consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney about your options before proceeding.
Forms of Nursing Home Negligence
- Falls in Nursing Homes – Nursing home staff have a responsibility to conduct a fall-risk assessment, which will aid in the reduction and prevention of patients falling. Negligence may occur when a patient has a pattern of falls and there is a clear failure on the part of the staff to apply any sort of accommodation to prevent future falls.
- Bed Sores or Pressure Sores – Bed sores are a major problem for patients who are confined to a bed or a wheelchair. They can be prevented by moving the patient frequently, changing bedding, and keeping the skin clean and dry. Untreated bedsores can become seriously infected or gangrenous.
- Wrongful Death – A wrongful death can occur when the death of a patient has occurred due to the nursing home facility’s negligence. Common reasons for wrongful death include:
- lack of accommodation for a patient known for falling,
- infection or serious complication from bedsores,
- dehydration and malnutrition,
- prescription medication errors,
- and physical or sexual abuse
Statute of Limitations (Deadlines)
Under Virginia law, it is necessary to file a lawsuit within strict deadlines imposed by law. In many cases, Virginia provides for a two-year deadline also known as a Statute of Limitations. However, sometimes special circumstances may apply that can alter this deadline. Once you have missed this deadline, you can no longer seek compensation for the personal injury or wrongful death.
Virginia Nursing Home Injury Lawyers
Richard Serpe is a highly skilled personal injury attorney with a reputation for meticulous preparation and presentation. Our firm has a tremendous track record of success in obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Protect your rights by consulting with an experienced Virginia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us for a free, no obligation, consultation to discuss your situation 877-544-5323.
