If you are thinking of transitioning your loved one into assisted living in Virginia, you might assume that it is a sure way for elderly people to receive comprehensive care and attention. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Eldercare facilities sometimes fall short of quality treatment, whether by accident or intentionally. Staff and nurses at these facilities tend to be understaffed and overworked, and the elderly people under their care end up paying the price.
If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect for your loved one in Virginia, you should consider filing a medical malpractice claim. Sometimes, you might not know what to do when your loved one is abused. Thankfully, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers various options for reporting nursing home neglect and abuse.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Virginia
If you suspect or believe that your family member was abused or neglected at a nursing home, you should report it to the relevant authorities. You can start by contacting the Adult Protective Services Agency at 804-692-1206. There are several other ways you can report these cases:
- Get in touch with the Office of Aging at 804-662-9333
- Contact the Citizen Advocacy Group at 757-518-8500
- You can also fill out a nursing home complaint
- Visit vaaaa.org for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Cases of nursing home neglect, abuse, and exploitation are increasing in Virginia, with the state government putting in efforts to stop it. Laws and regulations regarding nursing homes in Virginia are clear on the issue, saying that any suspected abuse or neglect should be reported to authorities. Therefore, if you have a loved one at a nursing home in Virginia, you must pay attention to their care. Check to ensure that they are being treated properly and all their needs are taken care of. If you suspect any form of abuse or neglect, report it right away. Getting the information out there will kickstart the process of getting things right at the nursing home.
Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are many forms of abuse or neglect in nursing homes. Some of them might not be evident immediately, and it is important to be observant. The types of nursing home abuse include;
- Physical abuse: Any event or condition that causes physical harm to the patient. Examples are restraining, hitting, pinching, or declining to provide physical care.
- Emotional abuse: Demoralizing or intimidating treatment, which may include humiliating, shaming, criticizing, or yelling at a patient.
- Sexual abuse: Unwanted sexual exploration or attention, including advances to patients with dementia.
- Patient-to-patient abuse: Legal action should be taken when a nursing home resident is allowed to abuse another resident.
Do I Need a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?
You need an attorney to help you with a nursing home abuse case. While you can attempt to handle the complaint by yourself, an attorney has the experience and skills to take on established institutions like nursing homes. You might launch a complaint to the nursing home, but they may be reluctant to take any meaningful measures. Even when they take disciplinary action against the involved employee, it is not enough to compensate for the damage sustained by your loved one.
A medical injury attorney will ensure the nursing home takes responsibility for damages and compensates you when necessary. Another crucial factor in the case is the insurance company representing the nursing home. Insurance companies tend to offer victims a settlement quickly and aggressively forcing them into accepting it. You should know that the settlement offer will likely be way lower than what you deserve. Insurance companies will try to force you into accepting these offers so that you drop the case.
The experienced attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn, & Sharp will prevent this from happening. They will step in and handle the settlement negotiations on your behalf. We know the Virginia law and will not stop until our clients get the compensation they deserve or more. We also ensure that you are not intimated in any way by the nursing home or insurance companies.
We Are Here To Help
If you suspect that your loved one has been abused or neglected at a nursing home, our experienced nursing home injury attorneys are ready to help. When you come to us for help, we will use everything at our disposal to gather facts about the case, make sure your rights are protected, and file a lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf. Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our dedicated Virginia nursing home injury attorneys.
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