Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Durham, NC

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As our loved ones age, we trust that nursing homes will provide them with the medical and personal care they deserve. Unfortunately, this trust is often broken by the people we’ve tasked with their care. When a nursing home resident is injured or killed due to abuse or neglect, we must fight for the accountability and justice they deserve. Talk to a Durham nursing home abuse lawyer at Kreger Brodish LLP today to learn how we can help.

For more than a decade, our personal injury law firm has been fighting for those who are at their most vulnerable. We strive to provide compassionate service and personal attention, taking the time to answer our client’s questions and fighting for the maximum compensation they deserve. Many of the families we help also take comfort that their actions may save other nursing home residents from harm.

Don’t wait another moment to demand the justice you deserve. Instead, contact us today to discuss your case with a compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer in Durham.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in North Carolina

In North Carolina, you can report suspected nursing home abuse or neglect to several different agencies:

  • Each county’s North Carolina Department of Social Services operates Adult Protective Services. Adult Protective Services offices can report evidence of abuse or neglect to the district attorney for criminal action, provide services to a victim of abuse or neglect, or initiate court action to move a nursing home resident from an abusive situation.
  • You can also report nursing home abuse or neglect to the North Carolina Long Term Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s office takes a more non-adversarial approach than Adult Protective Services. It works to resolve concerns about abuse or neglect between the nursing home facility, the resident, and their family.
  • You can also file a formal complaint with the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation, the state agency that licenses and oversees nursing homes. The DHSR maintains a complaint hotline at 1-800-624-3004 (within North Carolina) or 919-855-4500. The hotline takes calls on weekdays (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

How a Durham Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help

Your family should not have to fight for the justice and compensation your loved one deserves while also dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath of nursing home abuse. Let a Durham nursing home abuse lawyer from Kreger Brodish LLP help by:

  • Thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the abuse or neglect to recover evidence we can use to build your case
  • Protecting your loved one from further abuse or neglect, including facilitating relocation to another nursing home
  • Documenting the full extent of damages your loved one suffered
  • Consulting with expert witnesses when needed to help us craft a compelling and persuasive case
  • Managing all communication with the nursing home and insurance companies
  • Pursuing settlement negotiations for maximum compensation
  • Taking your claims to court, if litigation becomes the best path forward

Demanding Justice for Your Loved One

If your family member has been harmed by abuse or neglect at a nursing home, you can pursue accountability and justice on their behalf through a lawsuit. A successful case can provide compensation for the following:

  • The costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation
  • The prices of long-term care, including fees to relocate to a new nursing home or adult care facility
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma and distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Reduced life expectancy

Sadly, severe nursing home abuse or neglect can result in death. Although no amount of money can bring back your loved one, your family still deserves justice in the form of compensation for the following:

  • The cost of your loved one’s last medical treatment
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Emotional distress suffered due to the loss of a loved one
  • Loss of a loved one’s guidance, affection, and society

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

In many cases, nursing home abuse or neglect victims do not report the crimes perpetrated against them. Some victims feel too embarrassed or ashamed to admit they have been abused or neglected. Others do not understand that they are being abused or neglected. As a result, family members and friends of nursing home residents need to look out for signs of abuse or neglect. Common symptoms of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

  • Bedsores/pressure ulcers
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Fall injuries, including broken bones
  • Unexplained injuries or injuries in various stages of healing
  • Frequent and unexplained illnesses or hospitalizations
  • Infections
  • Rapid weight loss or weight gain
  • Unsanitary or unclean living conditions
  • Torn or soiled clothing or bedding
  • Incidents of wandering, also known as elopement
  • Restraint marks
  • Heavy medication or sedation
  • New sexually transmitted infections
  • Bruising or injuries to the genitalia
  • Sudden shifts in behavior, including depression or agitation
  • Withdrawal or sudden loss of interest in activities
  • Reluctance to speak in the presence of staff
  • Fear of staff members or fear of being left alone
  • Wanting to be isolated from others
  • Engaging in soothing behaviors, such as rocking or thumb sucking
  • Disappearance of property or money
  • Unexplained transactions in a resident’s bank accounts
  • Unexpected changes to a resident’s financial or estate planning documents

Contact the authorities immediately if you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse. Then reach out to a North Carolina elder abuse lawyer as soon as possible.