Work with Our Compassionate Birmingham Nursing Home Lawyer

Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Will Protect Your Loved One’s Rights

Negligence at nursing homes that causes serious injuries and even death is all too common. If you or your loved one has been injured at a care facility, turn to an experienced Birmingham nursing home lawyer from The Wininger Law Firm for help. Even if you simply suspect neglect or abuse is occurring but aren’t sure, we will review the evidence. We will then advise you about the steps to take to protect your family member’s health, well-being and rights.

For more than 50 years, our family-owned law firm has passionately and successfully stood up for people who have been victims of negligence in Alabama, including in nursing homes. We fight for the elderly and people of any age who have been abused or neglected in care facilities. Our nursing home abuse lawyers are skilled at proving negligence and holding responsible parties accountable.

Reach Out to Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Birmingham, AL

Contact our law firm today to arrange for a free consultation if you are worried about the care a loved one has received in a nursing home. A compassionate nursing home abuse attorney can be reached at (205) 322-3663. Depending upon the details of the case, you or your loved one may be able to receive compensation.

One-Quarter of Alabama Nursing Homes Provide Poor Care

Nursing homes are supposed to care for people. But Medicare statistics for Alabama prove that this isn’t always the case. These numbers show that approximately one-quarter of the state’s nursing homes provide subpar care. Out of 227 nursing homes in the state …

• 36 are ranked below average
• 21 are ranked much below average

Even at facilities that are ranked average and above, injuries can still happen. Anytime injuries at a nursing home occur, whether they are due to uncaring neglect or intentional abuse, that facility can be held liable in a lawsuit.

Types of Neglect and Abuse at Nursing Homes

Neglect that causes dangerous injuries at nursing homes is not always intentional. It can happen through basic carelessness or distraction. As examples, injuries can result when overworked or undertrained staff …

• Forget to give medications on time or at all
• Don’t ensure that residents have regular showers, clean clothes or sanitary surroundings
• Don’t make sure residents are eating or drinking
• Don’t help a person with difficulty walking and a fall occurs
• Don’t recognize when a person is ill or in other distress.

Abuse on the other hand is intentional. It can involve …

• Physical violence, including shoving, hitting and kicking
• Emotional abuse, such as yelling at a resident, making fun of them or isolating them from others
• Restraint through physical means or by giving too much medication
• Sexual abuse, including harassment, non-consensual touching and rape

Stealing money or property from a nursing home resident is another type of abuse. Financial abuse also happens when nursing homes improperly and intentionally charge people for services they didn’t get or add fraudulent fees or other charges to bills.

As you can see, neglect and abuse can happen in many ways. If you think it is happening to your relative, call our skilled nursing home abuse lawyers at (205) 322-3663. We’ll advise you about the best steps to take to safeguard your loved one’s well-being and rights and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Neglect at Nursing Homes

Elders and others who live in nursing homes often can’t tell us that they are being neglected or abused. They may be too scared. Or they may suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s or another condition that makes it hard to communicate. So it’s important to know common signs and symptoms that may point to nursing home negligence. These signs include:

• Untreated or infected bedsores
• Symptoms of malnourishment and dehydration, such as weight loss, sunken eyes, unusual thirst, fatigue or confusion
• Unexplained cuts, bumps or bruises
• Bone fractures
• Head injuries or concussion
• Urinary tract and other infections
• Depression or frequent mood swings
• Anxious, nervous or fearful behavior around nursing home staff
• Evidence of physical restraint or overmedication
• Soiled bedding or clothes, bad body odor or other unsanitary conditions.

What to Do If You Suspect Neglect or Abuse Caused Your Loved One’s Injuries

When nursing home residents can’t speak out, they need someone to do it for them. If you believe your loved one was the victim of abuse and neglect in a nursing home, here are some things you can do:

• Keep careful notes about bedsores, bruises and other injuries you might see on your loved one. Also, make notes about how they behave around staff and their general demeanor. These notes may later be important evidence.
• Speak to nursing home operators. If they deny that abuse or neglect happened, don’t just believe them — ask to see your family member’s records. Document what you are told by facility operators and staff so you don’t forget.
• Contact agencies that investigate nursing home abuse. These include the Alabama Department of Public Health and Alabama Department of Senior Services.
• Alabama has strict laws against the abuse of residents in long-term care facilities. If you think a crime has been committed against your relative, you may also wish to involve local police.

Call a Birmingham Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Another important thing to do is to call a Birmingham nursing home abuse attorney at (205) 322-3663. The Wininger Law Firm will counsel you about actions to take to protect your loved one from further harm. Our lawyers will also guide you through the legal process of holding the negligent facility responsible.

As a family-owned legal firm, we understand the anxiety, anger and confusion people experience when their loved ones are harmed in nursing homes. We will not back down in fighting for justice for your family member.

Who Can Be Sued for Nursing Home Abuse?

Facility owners and managers can be sued for the negligent acts or conduct of their employees. Many nursing homes understaff their facilities in an effort to save money. They may also hire unlicensed employees. Often nursing home operators don’t provide enough training to workers. When overworked or inadequately trained staff members make negligent mistakes that cause injuries, owners and managers may try to cover it up. Facilities may not have adequate security systems in place to protect residents from assault by staff or other residents.

Nursing home staff members who don’t properly care for patients or who are intentionally abusive can also be held liable in lawsuits. This may include doctors, nurses, nurses’ aides and other workers.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Birmingham, AL, Pursue Compensation in Negligence Cases

Injuries at a Nursing Home

What compensation might be available in a nursing home negligence case? Compensation is based upon what someone loses because of their injuries. Typical damages that are asked for in cases of nursing home negligence include payment for things such as:

• Medical expenses
• Physical pain
• Emotional trauma
• Disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life
• Punitive damages meant to punish wrongdoers

Wrongful Death at a Nursing Home

When someone dies because of mistreatment at a nursing home, a wrongful death lawsuit may be brought. Only the personal representative of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim. Only punitive damages can be asked for in these claims.

Every injury and wrongful death claim is different. We’ll look at the circumstances of your case to advise you about the damages you may be able to ask for and help you arrive at fair compensation. Call our nursing home abuse lawyers in Birmingham, AL, today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our phone number is (205) 322-3663. We are here for you when your beloved family member has been harmed.

Nursing Home Residents Have Rights

Just because a person is physically or mentally disabled and lives in a nursing home, it doesn’t mean they don’t have rights. Under Medicare’s bill of rights, nursing home patients have the right to:

• Be free from abuse and neglect
• Not be discriminated against
• Get proper medical care
• Be treated with respect
• Be free from restraints
• Have protections against involuntary transfer or discharge
• Participate in activities and spend time with visitors
• Manage their money
• Get proper privacy, property, and living arrangements
• Make complaints
• Exercise their rights as U.S. citizens
• Have their representative notified.

They also have the right to hold nursing homes accountable for poor care and abuse. When nursing home resident can’t do it themselves, they need someone to do it for them.

Our Experienced Birmingham Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Are Here to Help You and Your Family Member

Nursing homes have a legal duty to protect the well-being and safety of residents. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for negligence in a lawsuit. If you or a family member has been hurt while a resident at a nursing home, our skilled law firm will review your case and advise you about legal steps that you can take.

Call (205) 322-3663 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Birmingham nursing home abuse attorney. You have nothing to lose, because you pay us only if we win your case. And you have potentially much to gain by holding the negligent facility accountable.