Sydney Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Often, one of the most stressful times of life comes during the years when our parents or other loved ones’ health declines to the point of needing care in a nursing home. Often, caregivers have spent years serving their loved one’s needs up to this point, but the time comes when the needs become too great to continue home care. Making the decision to transfer your loved one to a nursing facility can be excruciating, even in the best of circumstances. Suspecting that they are being abused or neglected once there can be unbearable.

Fortunately, Sydney Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers can assist families facing issues of elder abuse or neglect. We can help identify signs of nursing home injury, protect victims, and navigate legal processes with compassionate personal support.

Call NOVA Injury Law today at 782-824-3348 if you suspect that your loved one is being abused, neglected, or mistreated in a Nova Scotia nursing home. We are here to help! (782)824-3348

Identifying and Proving Abuse in Nursing Homes

There are several signs to look for if you suspect abuse or neglect of your beloved elder while they are in a nursing facility. Even if you don’t currently have suspicions, keep an eye out for any new concerning signs. Staff tend to come and go in these facilities, and we must remain vigilant to ensure our loved ones are always safe. Documenting any signs of injury, unexpected changes in medical status, or unusual changes in behavior or mood that you may notice is important for establishing evidence of abuse that may be occurring.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

There are some common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect to watch out for. They include:

Medical inconsistencies: If your loved one suddenly has a return of a medical issue that has previously been well controlled, for example, this could point to incorrect administration or withdrawal of prescribed medications. Injuries or reported pain that seems to have no logical cause, such as a sudden increase in falls, may also signal trouble.
Emotional withdrawal: Any noticeable changes in mood or behavior, such as your loved one becoming withdrawn, fearful, or avoidant, could signal abuse or neglect.
Suspicious staff behavior: Signs to watch for in staff might include not leaving you alone with your loved one, interfering in your conversations, restricting times for you to visit, asking for advance notice of your visits, or having an overly close relationship with your loved one. If the staff member(s) refuse to answer your questions or give answers that seem illogical or untrue, that can also be a warning sign.
Physical indicators: You should be concerned if your loved one shows any injuries that cannot be logically explained, including cuts, bruises, broken bones, burns, sudden unexplained incontinence, weight loss, bedsores, or genital injuries or infections. Any time a staff explanation for a physical change seems “off” to you, you should investigate further.

Collecting Medical and Legal Evidence

Proving nursing home abuse or neglect requires careful documentation of evidence. Some of this you can do, and some can be done by a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. Evidence that can be used may include:

- Medical records: Any record of injuries or medical changes that may be the result of abuse should be obtained.

Incident reports: Nursing homes are required to keep detailed records of injuries, falls, and medical changes for every resident. These reports (or the lack of them) can be important evidence for proving your claim.

Witness statements: If anyone has told you anything that would support your claim of abuse and neglect, you should document it. Staff members may comment on the behavior of other staff members, express concern or questions about your loved ones’ injuries, or give evasive or illogical answers to your questions. Write these comments down, with the date and time they were made. Comments from your loved one are also important to record, whether or not they are in answer to your direct questions.

Legal Representation and Case Process

Building a Strong Legal Case

To build a legal case against your loved one’s abuser(s) and perhaps the facility itself, it is important to enlist the help of a knowledgeable and experienced Sydney nursing home abuse lawyer from NOVA Injury Law. Filing a claim can lead to compensation for your loved one’s suffering, but, more importantly, it can hold the perpetrator(s) accountable and stop the abuse.

In some cases, the facility may bear some of the liability, even if the abuse was carried out by one rogue employee without the facility’s knowledge. They could have negligent hiring or supervision policies, fail to monitor required documentation, fail to train staff adequately, have poor medication protocols, or be severely understaffed. “We didn’t know” is not an adequate defense for a facility. It’s their job to know. Therefore, the facility or its parent company may bear some liability for negligence that harmed your loved one.

The team of lawyers at NOVA Injury Law can assist you in gathering evidence, filing the necessary legal paperwork, negotiating a possible settlement, or representing you in court, if the lawsuit goes to trial. We will help you determine whom to go after for negligence and what compensation you may be entitled to as a result of your claim. Our nursing home abuse lawyers know the ins and outs of the law and the court system, and can take some of the burden off your shoulders so that you can concentrate on helping your loved one heal.

The Role of a Legal Team in Abuse Cases

Your NOVA Injury legal team will support your family throughout your nursing home abuse and neglect case, assisting with communication, documentation, and courtroom representation. Knowledge is power, and we will keep you informed every step of the way. Our years of experience in personal injury law will be at your disposal from beginning to end. You need a dedicated team to help you through this difficult time, and we are here for you. We will fight for you and your family like we would for our own. We have dedicated our careers to gaining justice for the injured, and you and your loved one are no exception.

Seeking Justice and Compensation

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Types of Compensation Available

While no amount of money can undo the damage that has been done to your loved one, financial compensation can be a way to hold the perpetrator(s) accountable and ensure the elder’s ongoing care and comfort. There are several avenues by which to pursue compensation. Victims and their families may seek damages based on emotional trauma, medical malpractice, and–should the worst have happened–wrongful death. Parties that may be held liable include staff members, medical professionals, and even the facility and its parent company. Every case is different, and a highly competent nursing home abuse lawyer will review your case and advise you on your best course of action.

Calculating and Pursuing Damages

Two types of damages are available to pursue in a nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuit. They include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include easily documented expenses incurred, such as medical bills, transportation costs, medication or medical device costs, and any other costs incurred for which you can provide a bill or receipt. Non-economic damages are the damages that are harder to quantify but very real, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, PTSD, and loss of companionship, for example.

In some cases, a settlement will be offered by the nursing home, staff member, or other named defendant. Our skilled lawyers can help you negotiate a settlement and determine whether it is best to accept or to take the lawsuit to trial in the courts. Either way, our team will ensure that you have all the relevant information to make an informed decision and will support you through the entire process, no matter what you choose.

Contact Sydney Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

If your loved one has been harmed by abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in a Nova Scotia nursing home, you owe it to them to stop the abuse and to hold the perpetrator(s) responsible. Contact the trusted team of nursing home abuse lawyers at NOVA Injury today. We offer a free consultation and can help you to decide how best to move forward in seeking justice and compensation. We are ready, willing, and able to assist you in any way we can. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation: 782-824-3348