Halifax Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Caring for an elderly or disabled loved one can take its toll on caregivers, and transitioning a loved one to a nursing home is a very difficult decision. Once we have made that decision, we want to be sure that our loved ones are cared for in a kind and professional way. Unfortunately, this is not always what happens. Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are on the rise, as care facilities deal with staffing and supervision challenges.

If you suspect that a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Halifax nursing home, we can help. The skilled nursing home abuse lawyers at NOVA Injury Law understand how upsetting this can be, and we will work fast to stop the abuse and to seek compensation for any abuse or neglect that has already occurred.

Vulnerable seniors or disabled people deserve the best care. Abuse, neglect, injury, or mistreatment by supposedly professional caregivers is unforgivable and can be devastating to both the victim and the victim’s family. Call NOVA Injury Law today at (902) 700-2798 to ensure the safety and comfort of your loved one, first and foremost, and to seek compensation for the facility’s negligence.

Recognizing and Responding to Abuse

If you have a feeling that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, you owe it to them to trust your instincts. You know your loved one best and are most likely to recognize the changes in behavior or physical signs that might indicate abuse before anyone else notices.

Signs of Abuse and Neglect

Elder abuse involves neglect of the person’s needs, or can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Here are signs to watch for:

Neglect: Signs that a vulnerable person is being neglected might include:

Lack of cleanliness: dirty clothing, poor hygiene, unclean living conditions
Weight loss: food needs may be going unmet
Bedsores: failure to get patients out of bed who are able, or not turning bed-bound patients
Muscle wasting or increased frailty: lack of exercise
Worsening of medical conditions: lack of proper medication or medical care

Physical Abuse: Signs that a vulnerable person is physically abused might include:

Bruises, scars, or burns
Signs of restraint
Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive
Fear or avoidance of caregivers

Emotional Abuse: Signs that a vulnerable person is emotionally abused might include:

Changes in behavior
Increased depression or anxiety
Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive
Fear or avoidance of caregivers

Sexual Abuse: Signs that a vulnerable person is sexually abused might include:

Newly observed STDs, UTIs, or genital infections or abrasions
Sudden unexplained incontinence
Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive
Fear or avoidance of caregivers

Financial Abuse: Signs that a vulnerable person is financially abused might include:

Changes in banking or spending habits
Unexplained need for cash
Money or possessions going missing

If you see any of these signs and suspect abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, immediately contact an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer who can help stop the abuse, as well as gather evidence, conduct interviews, report to the proper authorities, and hold perpetrators accountable.

What to Do If You Suspect Abuse

If you suspect that a vulnerable loved one is being abused in a nursing home, you must take action immediately. Here are some steps to follow:

Document evidence: Take photos of any injuries, list behavior changes, and write down anything your loved one says that makes you suspect abuse. Keep track of times, places, and recent activities (like scheduled bathing, for example) that might help identify the abuser.

Visit often: Your presence and attention can help document and ward off abuse. Try to visit at many different and unpredictable times. Show up at meal time, bath time, bedtime, and the middle of the afternoon. Vary your schedule of visits. Pay attention to any warning signs and document them.

Get to know caregivers: Making your presence known and getting to know the caregivers who work with your loved one on a regular basis can help you narrow down who is more likely to be the abuser, and may make abuse less likely.

Ask your loved one: Even if your loved one cannot express themselves verbally, you can watch for signs such as fear response or agitation when you ask about abuse or certain caregivers.

Report to protective services agencies: Find out who regulates nursing homes in your area and report your suspicions to them, as well as to your local family protective services agency.

Consider moving your loved one: While moves can be disruptive and upsetting to vulnerable adults, stopping any possible abuse or neglect is imperative.

Contact a lawyer: Skilled nursing home abuse lawyers, like those at NOVA Injury Law, can assist you in gathering evidence to prove abuse or neglect and help you seek compensation from the liable parties.

Early action is vital to protect your loved one and possibly other residents at the facility.

Legal Process and Support

When you are dealing with the needs of a vulnerable loved one and those needs are compounded by suspected abuse or neglect, the last thing you need is the added burden of managing a legal battle. A knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyer can assist with all the steps of getting the justice your loved one deserves: gathering evidence, collecting statements, filing the legal paperwork necessary for a personal injury lawsuit, enlisting expert witnesses, and any other steps that need to be taken to proceed with your claim. The lawyers of NOVA Injury Law have the experience and skill to take on the complex legal process so you don’t have to. Instead, you can focus on supporting your loved one in their recovery from the facility’s negligence, and leave the investigation and paperwork to us. We are here to help.

Building a Legal Case for Abuse

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a crisis in nursing homes, leading to the deployment of healthcare teams to nursing homes in Canada. These “outsiders” to the system began reporting widespread abuse and neglect, as well as other instances of substandard care. According to a 2024 study conducted in Ontario, these poor conditions have persisted beyond the pandemic.

In Nova Scotia, many laws have been enacted regulating the long-term care industry, including the Adult Protection Act and the Protection for Persons in Care Act, among others. Once the facts of the case are established through initial consultation, your lawyer will lead you through the following legal actions:

- Filing a claim: There is legal paperwork that must be filed with the courts within two years of the alleged abuse.

Gathering evidence: Proving that these or other laws have been violated involves proving negligence. The evidence needed to prove negligence in cases of nursing home abuse or neglect is governed by the Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules and may include things like photos, videos, witness statements, police reports, medical reports, and more.

- Negotiating a settlement: Sometimes, your case can be settled without going to court if the negligent party or institution offers a reasonable amount of damages to settle the case.

Going to trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go to trial, where a judge will determine damages once all evidence and arguments have been presented.

How Lawyers Help Families

Reaching out to a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer at NOVA Injury Law can reduce your burdens while helping you to get the best outcome possible. From the initial consultation through a settlement or trial, your lawyer will ensure that all deadlines are met, all documents are properly completed, and all necessary legal actions are taken.

You already have the emotional burden of responsibility for a vulnerable loved one, compounded by the horror of knowing that they have been abused. Taking on the additional burden of managing a negligence claim on top of that would be far too much for anyone to bear. Fortunately, the skilled nursing home abuse lawyers of NOVA Injury Law stand ready to manage the legal aspects of your case and assist you and your loved one in getting justice.

Why Choose a Halifax Lawyer

Choosing a skilled and experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Halifax is the first step to gaining fair compensation for the horrors that your loved one has suffered at the hands of those who should have treated them with the utmost care. Nova Scotia has strong Provincial laws governing the operation of nursing homes and the behavior of caregivers, and the team of lawyers at NOVA Injury Law is ready to apply our knowledge and experience to your case. We know the law and how to get the best possible outcome for you and your loved one. We can’t undo what has been done, but we can help to hold the negligent parties accountable and get you fair compensation for the damage they have caused. Our practice is focused on gaining justice for those who have been harmed by the negligence of another party or parties, and we are here to stand by you throughout the legal process.

Call Our Halifax Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

Time is of the essence in pursuing justice for a loved one who has suffered abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in a Halifax nursing home. We are here to help!

Contact our Halifax offices today at (782-824-3351 for a free consultation with the experienced nursing home abuse lawyers of NOVA Injury Law.