Are you worried that a loved one who’s residing in a nursing home might be subjected to abuse or neglect at the hands of the staff members? It’s heartbreaking to imagine someone you care about being mistreated in a place where they should be safe and protected.
However, the sooner you contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, the sooner we will be able to serve as your Somerville personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys have what it takes to advocate for your loved one and start holding the at-fault parties accountable.
Over the course of 21-plus years, we have helped over 15,000 people recover more than $250 million in compensation. As your nursing home abuse lawyers in Somerville, we will do everything in our power to advocate for you.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse isn’t always obvious. Some of the warning signs families notice include unexplained bruises, bed sores, sudden weight loss, withdrawal, or changes in behavior. However, these are easier to spot because they leave physical proof behind.
Meanwhile, emotional abuse—like humiliation, intimidation, or isolation—is harder to see, but it is often just as damaging, if not more so. This type of abuse happens anywhere, from assisted living facilities on Highland Avenue to nursing centers near Assembly Square.
While you should be able to count on nursing homes to keep your loved one safe, the unfortunate reality is that this isn’t always the case. However, when you know which signs to look out for, it’s easier to take action quickly and work to hold the facility accountable.
How Neglect Shows Up in Everyday Life
Neglect is one of the many ways abuse manifests in nursing homes. Though it does not usually leave visible marks behind, its effects are nothing to take lightly. From missed medications to unsanitary conditions, neglect results in untreated illnesses that worsen health.
In some cases, residents end up requiring hospitalization and experiencing the ongoing effects of pain and suffering. Even small lapses in care at a facility—such as a resident not being fed or helped with mobility—will likely become exacerbated to the point of serious injuries.
If you notice anything concerning, start keeping careful notes, documenting any routine lack of care, and monitoring medical reports created for your loved one. This information will help your attorney demonstrate how neglect has affected your loved one’s quality of life.
Understanding Liability in Nursing Home Cases
It’s not uncommon for facilities to try to limit how much they are to blame for your loved one’s condition. They might shift responsibility by blaming periods of understaffing or faulting residents for their behavior, among other factors.
However, the good news is that Massachusetts state laws hold care providers accountable for both abuse and neglect, which includes emotional damage and physical harm. Evidence from witnesses, medical professionals, and other staff often helps clarify who is liable as well.
Families might consider gathering testimonies from neighboring residents, visiting family members, or local emergency responders in defense of their loved ones, too. The more proof you have, the greater the likelihood of recovering compensation for pain and suffering.
Dealing with Insurance and Liability Companies
Many nursing homes carry insurance policies that are designed to protect the facility, not the residents or their families. When something goes wrong, insurance adjusters often step in very quickly. Here’s what else to expect these insurers to do:
- Reach out with friendly phone calls
- Ask you a lot of questions
- Suggest an early settlement offer before the full extent of the harm is clear
In many cases, these early settlement offers are far lower than what the claim is actually worth. Ultimately, adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. That means downplaying the seriousness of an injury and framing emotional trauma as unavoidable.
It’s also typical for them to start implying that what happened to your loved one was simply a natural part of aging or health-related decline. For families who are grieving, it’s easy to feel pressured into accepting an offer just to make the situation go away.
That’s why it’s so important to contact a nursing home abuse attorney in Somerville for help with your case. Your attorneys will advise you of your options and protect you from predatory practices, especially from insurance companies trying to take advantage of you.
Call Our Somerville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today for Legal Advice and Guidance
Are you worried that someone you love is being harmed in a facility that you trusted to take care of them? If so, contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers as soon as possible for help from attorneys who know how to apply local knowledge to your case.
From Union Square to Davis Square, our Somerville nursing home abuse lawyers understand the neighborhood, nearby hospitals, and municipal inspection practices. As such, we have what it takes to help families document neglect and respond effectively to abuse.
If your loved one is suffering at the hands of nursing home staff members, waiting only makes matters harder. With our Stone Cold Guarantee® in mind, you never have to reach into your pocket to pay us. Take action now to protect the resident you’re concerned about. Injured? Better Phone Stone®.
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