Michigan law provides a way for you to hold a nursing home facility or staff member responsible if they abuse or neglect your loved one. While filing a claim cannot erase the harm your family member experienced, it can help stop further abuse and hold the facility accountable for its actions.

Researching complex laws, writing settlement agreements, and presenting legal arguments in court are just some of the tasks involved in suing a skilled nursing facility. Instead of juggling this by yourself, you can hire a Grand Rapids nursing home abuse lawyer to help you. At Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., our dedicated and compassionate team can take care of the legal aspects of the claim while you and your family focus on recovering and moving forward.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect encompasses a range of conduct, including:

  • Not attending to the resident’s hygienic needs, such as taking them to the restroom or bathing them regularly
  • Withholding food or medicine
  • Careless medication errors
  • Isolating the resident from their friends or family members without justification
  • Stealing from the resident
  • Physically, financially, or emotionally harming or exploiting the resident
  • Sexual assault
  • Failure to prevent falls
  • Improper treatment of bedsores resulting in infections
  • Leaving residents unsupervised
  • Allowing wandering and elopement
  • Not taking proper precautions to prevent burn injuries

Additionally, many overcrowded facilities may employ overworked staff members who resort to abusive or negligent practices to maintain order. For example, instead of providing compassionate care to residents who have Alzheimer’s, the staff members may wrongfully sedate patients to get them to stay quiet.

When family members suspect their loved one is being abused or neglected, they are encouraged to file a complaint or, if necessary, a lawsuit against the facility. If their loved one has unexplained bruises, seems to have rapidly declined without any reason, or has personality or mood changes, these may be warning signs that they are experiencing some form of harm. A nursing home abuse attorney in Grand Rapids has the in-depth training and knowledge to review the case and spot the signs that something is not right to uncover any negligent actions.

Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Michigan law requires nursing homes to honor residents’ rights, such as the right to receive and be reasonably informed about the care they are given during their stay. When organizations or their staff fail to care for their patients adequately, they may be liable under the state’s medical malpractice laws.

To prove a nursing home abuse claim, the resident or their legal representative must establish that the facility’s standard of care fell below what the law requires. For example, they can present evidence that the nursing home staff routinely gave them a high dosage of sedatives the resident did not need or consent to take.

Additionally, they must show that the staff or facility’s conduct caused the resident physical, financial, or mental harm. Proving a nursing home abuse claim can seem like a substantial undertaking. A Grand Rapids attorney who is experienced in nursing home abuse cases is instrumental in helping the patient and their family advocate for their rights.

Call a Grand Rapids Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

The mistreatment of sick, vulnerable, and elderly patients should never happen. Unfortunately, many organizations and staff members cut corners or make mistakes that cause harm. When you or your loved one suffers abuse or neglect at a long-term care facility, a Grand Rapids nursing home abuse lawyer can help you defend your rights and stop their negligent practices.

Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the challenges of fighting against organizations that harm others. To start your legal journey, contact our team today.

Take Legal Action Today!

Please contact us today for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial consultation is FREE.

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