When a loved one is physically or mentally unable to care for himself or herself, your family may have to make the difficult decision to move that individual to a Massachusetts nursing home. This is a hard choice, and you likely did a significant amount of research before moving forward with the process. You may have been confident that the facility you chose would provide adequate care and support.
It can be frustrating to learn that the nursing home you chose for your loved one failed to provide a standard of care. It is devastating and infuriating to learn that your loved one experienced abuse or neglect at the hands of the people you trusted with his or her care. If your family is walking through this difficult situation, there are legal options available to you.
Do you have a claim?
It is not always immediately clear that a loved one is experiencing abuse in his or her nursing home. There are different types of abuse, including financial abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and even neglect. Sometimes victims are reluctant to speak out because they are confused about what happened, ashamed or uncertain about what to do. If you suspect that something is wrong, you may want to take immediate action to investigate the situation.
Upon learning that something is wrong and it is likely that abuse occurred, you may not be certain what to do next. You have the right to hold liable parties accountable and pursue reasonable compensation through a civil claim. Some of the reasons you can cite in your claim include:
- Negligent maintenance of the nursing home facility
- Negligent hiring practices and retention of trained employees
- Negligent supervision and care of nursing home residents
- Negligent maintenance of equipment or selection of good equipment
Every case is different, and what is appropriate for your situation will depend on the details of your individual case. An assessment of your case will determine the specific legal options available to your family.
Acting on behalf of a loved one
Your loved one does not have to suffer in silence. You can speak up on his or her behalf, seeking justice by taking legal action. Any type of nursing home abuse is unacceptable, and it is possible to hold facilities and care providers accountable. If you suspect nursing home abuse, you may want to start by seeking a complete evaluation of your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.
