If nursing home employees in Chambersburg, PA committed acts of abuse or failed to provide required care, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Chambersburg nursing home abuse lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Our lawyers have over 120 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve used our experience to help injured clients and their families recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Your family may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. Contact our law firm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to schedule a free consultation today or call (717) 388-2378.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help Me Seek Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse in Chambersburg, PA?
The decision to place a loved one in nursing care can be incredibly difficult–even if it’s for their own good. There are no words to describe the devastation you might feel if you’ve discovered your loved one was abused by those you trusted to protect them.
You deserve to be compensated. Unfortunately, proving abuse can be difficult. Evidence can be hard to locate–especially if the nursing home is trying to cover it up. People who were involved in the abuse will try to avoid responsibility and point fingers.
The best thing you can do is hire an experienced Chambersburg personal injury attorney. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our exceptional team has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, and Best Lawyers of America.
When you turn to us for help, we will:
- Conduct a detailed investigation and locate evidence to support your claim
- Take steps to stop the abusive practices
- Work with experts who can help prove the value of your personal injury claim
- Identify all parties who are legally liable for your damages
- Negotiate with the nursing home’s insurance company for a full settlement
- Fight for justice in court if necessary
Don’t wait to seek legal advice. Contact our Chambersburg personal injury lawyers today. As always, we offer free case evaluations.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
There are several different types of nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse can occur when someone intentionally harms a resident. Nursing home staff can also be held liable when they’re negligent and fail to meet a resident’s basic needs.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we handle all types of nursing home abuse cases, including those involving:
Physical Abuse
When most people think of “abuse,” they imagine the infliction of physical harm by:
- Hitting
- Kicking
- Slapping
- Punching
- Rough handling
The improper use of restraints can also constitute physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Verbal abuse can also cause serious damage. The emotional impact of name-calling, belittling, threatening, and humiliation can change a victim’s life forever. Nursing home employees also commit emotional abuse when they intentionally isolate a resident without justification.
Threatening to withhold food, water, and necessary medications can also constitute psychological abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Some nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. That’s especially true for residents who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Other residents simply don’t have the physical strength to fight an attacker.
Financial Abuse
Many elderly nursing home residents are targets of financial exploitation.
Financial abuse can take on many forms, including:
- Theft
- Unauthorized use of credit cards
- Forging checks
- Identity theft, typically by opening credit cards in a resident’s name
- Coercing a resident into changing a will or beneficiary designations on financial accounts
In some cases, residents in assisted living facilities may agree to these transactions without realizing they’re being exploited.
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect can be active or passive. Staff members may actively ignore residents’ basic needs.
However, most cases involve passive neglect. Some nursing homes fail to provide proper staffing and resources to ensure residents receive the care they deserve.
How Can I Tell Whether My Loved One Has Been a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home residents don’t always stand up and report abuse. They might not know it’s happening. They may be too ashamed and humiliated to admit they’ve been victimized. That often leaves their families and loved ones wondering whether something is wrong.
Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Frequent physical injuries, including unexplained bruises and fractures
- Unexplained weight loss (which can indicate malnutrition, dehydration, or even depression)
- Behavioral changes, including becoming withdrawn or depressed
- Bed sores
- Changes in hygiene
- Infections
- Marks around wrists and ankles, which can indicate that restraints are being used
- Fear of being left alone around nursing home staff
- Staff who don’t want to leave you alone with your loved one
- Unexplained financial transactions
If you notice signs of abuse, take action and report the abuse quickly. Even if you’re fortunate enough to be mistaken, it’s always better to be safe instead of sorry. Our top-rated Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers can help you through this difficult time, so give us a call to get the support you need today.
What is My Chambersburg Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
The short answer is: it depends. The value of any personal injury case depends on many unique variables. The severity of your injuries is the primary factor–but it’s by no means the only factor to consider.
When our lawyers are assessing your case value, we’ll consider:
- The nature of the harm your loved one has suffered, considering physical and emotional impacts
- The nature of the at-fault party’s actions
- The costs you’ve incurred, including medical treatment costs
- Your lost income while you care for your loved one
- Any long-term damage your loved one will suffer
If you have questions about your case value, call our law offices today. Our Chambersburg, PA nursing home abuse attorneys are always available to answer your questions.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania?
Damages are classified according to whether they compensate for economic or non-economic damages under Pennsylvania personal injury laws.
Examples of the types of compensation your family might recover include:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of moving to a new long-term care facility
- Your lost wages while caring for a loved one
- Rehabilitation
- Restitution when financial abuse is involved
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Fear and humiliation
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Punitive damages, which may be awarded to punish the person responsible for intentional abuse
The types of damages you will recover depend on the circumstances. We can help you document and prove the damages your family has suffered due to the abuse.
Nursing Home Abuse Can Cause Severe Long-Term Damage
Some of the more common long-term consequences of elder abuse and nursing home neglect include:
- Broken bones
- Infections, which can cause more serious medical conditions
- Medical problems caused by dehydration, malnutrition, or failure to treat medical conditions
- Severe depression
- Reduced life expectancy
- Inability to enjoy family interactions or activities
- Wrongful death
The damage caused by nursing home abuse cannot be underestimated. Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight to recover fair compensation.
Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?
Of course, intentional misconduct is intentional misconduct. There is never an excuse for nursing home employees to abuse residents. Ultimately, however, nursing home abuse in the United States often happens because of improper oversight.
Some of the most common causes of nursing home abuse include:
- Negligent hiring practices, including failure to properly screen employees and conduct background checks
- Failure to supervise nursing home staff adequately
- Inadequate training protocols
- Understaffing and overworked employees
- Outdated technology
- Medical malpractice and medication errors
- Failure to properly supervise residents
- Negligent security
Poorly run nursing homes create dangerous conditions for all residents. If your loved one was harmed, contact our Chambersburg nursing home abuse attorneys today.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania?
A person who commits abuse can be held liable for damages in civil court. That’s true even if they’re facing criminal charges related to their illegal acts.
The abusive party’s employer can also be liable under state vicarious liability laws.
Examples of potentially responsible parties include:
- Nursing homes
- Corporations that run chains of nursing homes
- Doctors, nurses, and others who commit malpractice
- Certified nursing aides
- Government agencies responsible for licensing, inspection, and oversight
Recovering fair compensation for nursing home abuse can be difficult. It’s important to have a skilled attorney by your side. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today for a free case review.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
You must meet certain deadlines, or you could lose your right to recover the compensation you deserve.
In most cases, you’ll have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The two-year statute of limitations typically starts to run on the date the abuse was discovered. When criminal charges are pending, the statute of limitations may be extended.
However, there may be exceptions, so ensure that you speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.
Arrange a Free Consultation With an Experienced Chambersburg Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or a family member were a victim of nursing home abuse, neglect, or negligence, call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today. An experienced Chambersburg nursing home abuse lawyer can fight to win full financial compensation to hold the at-fault parties accountable.