Philadelphia Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
When elderly individuals are no longer able to care for themselves, their loved ones sometimes have to make the difficult decision to admit them into a nursing home. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should be safe spaces for the elders that reside there, and they should receive attentive and compassionate medical care. Sadly, negligence and abuse are all too common within nursing homes. Our Philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyer can help your family claim a fair financial settlement when it occurs.
Signs of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse
It is crucial for family members to be able to recognize the signs of nursing home negligence and abuse, so they can stop it from happening as soon as possible. The most common signs are as follows:
- Strains, sprains, and broken bones, particularly when they cannot be explained
- Burns, bruises, and other visible marks
- Lack of hygiene, such as dirty skin, unbrushed teeth, and disheveled hair
- Lack of medical treatment and care
- Isolation
- Depression
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss, particularly when it is unexplained
- Improper administration of medication
- Shows of uneasiness or discomfort around certain nursing home staff members and caregivers
- Unexplained or unexpected death
Any time you notice any of the above signs, it is critical that you speak to a Philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyer who can advise on the next steps to take.
The Statute of Limitations on Nursing Home Negligence Claims
If you believe your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you only have two years from the date the abuse occurred to file a claim against the facility. This is the statute of limitations, or the time limit, and if it expires you will not likely be able to claim any monetary compensation at all.
The statute of limitations presents a unique challenge in nursing home negligence and abuse cases. Neglect and abuse often occurs over a number of weeks, months, and sometimes even years. The statute of limitations will start when the abuse occurred, and then restart if neglect or abuse happens again. Determining when the abuse and neglect occurred though, is not easy in cases that involve long-term care facilities. Elderly victims often do not have the capacity, or the willingness, to come forward about abuse and so, relying on their testimony is not always enough to pinpoint the date of neglect.
It is important to work with a Philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyer who can conduct a full investigation. An attorney has the resources to determine exactly when the abuse occurred, so you can file your claim on time.
Call Our Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer in Philadelphia Before it is Too Late
If you suspect your loved one is the victim of abuse, their health and safety is at stake. At Ellenberg Law Group, our Philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyer is dedicated to helping families during this extremely difficult time and will put that experience to work for you. Call us now at 215-790-1682 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation so we can review your case.
