Bergen County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

ursing home abuse is a serious issue that affects many vulnerable residents in elder care facilities across Bergen County. When elderly or disabled loved ones are subjected to abuse or neglect in a nursing home, their health, dignity, and well-being are jeopardized.

If you suspect that your family member is suffering from mistreatment, it’s crucial to seek legal help from a Bergen County nursing home abuse lawyer. An attorney can help hold negligent parties accountable and protect your loved one’s rights.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, our mission is to obtain justice and compensation for victims of nursing home abuse. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of handling these cases with care, securing notable settlements and verdicts for our clients.

We perform comprehensive investigations to address all elements of abuse, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other losses. With our extensive knowledge of nursing home abuse claims, we effectively manage the legal process and work relentlessly to safeguard your rights.

We provide compassionate, clear guidance, ensuring you and your loved ones stay informed, supported, and confident throughout the journey.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Bergen County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse refers to any form of harm, whether intentional or due to nursing home negligence, inflicted upon a resident in a care facility. Our nursing home lawyers handle a range of cases, including:

Physical Abuse

This bodily harm includes hitting, slapping, pushing, and even improper use of restraints, which can lead to serious injuries like fractures or traumatic brain injury.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Nursing home patients may suffer from verbal assaults, intimidation, and humiliation by staff members, impacting their mental health and self-esteem.

Sexual Abuse

Inappropriate physical contact or sexual assault by nursing home staff is a devastating form of elder abuse.

Medical Malpractice

Instances such as bedsores, medication errors, and failure to provide basic care can have life-threatening consequences for residents.

Negligence

Poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and elopement are examples of nursing home neglect cases. These conditions often arise from cost-cutting measures or understaffing.

Financial Abuse

Unscrupulous caregivers might exploit residents financially by stealing or manipulating them into changing legal documents.

Wrongful Death

Nursing home abuse or neglect leads to a fatal outcome. The victim’s surviving family members can pursue justice through a wrongful death claim.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

State and federal laws protect nursing home residents from abuse and neglect.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 mandates that nursing homes provide the highest possible care.

In New Jersey, residents are further protected by state regulations that require nursing home facilities to meet specific standards of care.

Any family member of a resident, or even the resident themselves, can file a nursing home neglect claim to hold negligent parties accountable.

Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases 

Multiple negligent parties may be held responsible for nursing home abuse. These include:

• Nursing home staff members: Direct caregivers who commit the abuse or neglect.
• Nursing homes: Facilities that fail to provide adequate supervision, training, or staff.
• Third parties: In cases where assisted living facilities employ contractors for services, these third-party companies may be liable.

How Our Bergen County Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our Bergen County nursing home attorneys have years of experience handling complex cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. We provide a comprehensive range of services, such as:

• Free Case Evaluation: We offer an initial consultation to discuss your case and determine the best legal strategy.
• Case Investigation: Our team will thoroughly investigate the conditions at Bergen County nursing homes, interview staff members, and review medical records.
• Filing the Claim: We’ll help you file a nursing home negligence case against the responsible parties.
• Settlement Negotiation: We aim to secure maximum compensation through negotiations.
• Trial Representation: If settlement talks fail, we will take your case to court to hold negligent parties accountable.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

Look out for these common signs of nursing home abuse:

• Unexplained injuries like bruises, fractures, or bed sores;
• Signs of poor hygiene or unsanitary conditions;
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or medical conditions related to poor care;
• Behavioral changes like fear, anxiety, or withdrawal;
• Financial exploitation signs like missing money or altered wills.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, here are the steps you should take:

• Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
• Report nursing home abuse to the administrator or management.
• File a complaint with the local Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for nursing home patients.
• Contact a Bergen County elder abuse lawyer to start a legal investigation.

Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

When filing a nursing home abuse claim, victims and their families may be entitled to several types of compensation.

Economic damages refer to measurable financial losses resulting from the abuse. Examples include:

• Medical expenses for treatment of injuries, such as hospital stays, surgeries, or therapy.
• Costs for relocating to a safer assisted living facility or nursing home.
• Expenses for necessary long-term care due to physical or mental trauma caused by the abuse.

Non-economic damages account for more subjective losses that don’t have a direct financial cost. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering experienced by the victim due to physical abuse or neglect.
• Emotional distress and trauma caused by nursing home abuse.
• Loss of quality of life or the ability to enjoy activities and social interactions.

Punitive damages are meant to punish negligent parties for their misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future. While not available in every case, they can significantly increase the total compensation in severe abuse situations.

The Cost of Hiring a Bergen County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case, so you have nothing to lose by seeking legal assistance.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Bergen County

Bergen County follows New Jersey’s statute of limitations for nursing home negligence cases, meaning victims or their families typically have two years from the date of injury or discovery of abuse to file a lawsuit. This law means you have a limited time to file a lawsuit, so it’s crucial to act quickly. Failure to do so could result in forfeiting your right to seek compensation.

Contact a Bergen County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If your loved one has suffered due to nursing home abuse or neglect in Bergen County, don’t wait to take legal action. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys can help you seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable.

Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss how we can help you secure the maximum compensation your family deserves.

Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.