Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
As adults get older and their loved ones are no longer equipped to care for them, they are often placed in the care of medical professionals for round-the-clock care in a nursing home. Unfortunately, recent studies show that these loved ones may not be as safe as initially thought. Many of the injuries and fatalities that occur in nursing homes are a result of neglect and abuse.
Placing an adult in elderly care is stressful and expensive enough without having to worry about abuse. Even after the abuse has stopped, the effects of nursing home abuse and neglect can terrorize a family emotionally and financially. That’s because proving the abuse is an uphill battle, and cases can sit in court for extended periods of time.
Nursing home abuse shows up in several forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Almost one-quarter of nursing home residents[1] experience physical abuse, and 12% of nursing home staff admit to neglecting their patients.
What is Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawsuit Pre-Settlement Funding?
Nursing home pre-settlement funding is a cash advance against the value of your case for nursing home abuse or neglect. If you win the case and receive a settlement, you pay back the cash advance out of the proceeds. If you don’t win the case, you typically do not have to pay the pre-settlement funds back.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect are more likely to occur when the maintenance and running of a nursing home are of low quality. The facility may not have equipment that’s up to code, its staff may not receive adequate training, and it may suffer from overcrowding and understaffing. All of these factors are the fault of the facility and management — not the patient. Sometimes medical malpractice, personal injury, premises liability, and even wrongful death are also factors in nursing home abuse and neglect.
Common forms of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Physical abuse: This occurs when residents receive blows or remain in restraints. Seniors with dementia are especially vulnerable to this type of abuse, which may result in bruises, broken bones, and other physical injuries.
- Sexual abuse: This type of abuse involves any unwelcome sexual contact, including touching and groping. Disabled individuals or those unable to give consent are most vulnerable. Sexual abuse may result in physical harm, emotional trauma, and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Emotional abuse: This can take the form of threats or insults as well as isolating seniors from loved ones or other residents. Nursing home residents can experience depression, anxiety, or PTSD as a result, which loved ones may notice as mood changes.
- Financial abuse: This can range from outright theft of a nursing home resident’s money or belongings to taking control of their bank accounts or using a power of attorney to change their will. Financial abuse may take away the money needed to pay for the senior’s care.
- Abandonment: Caregivers and even nursing homes sometimes leave seniors to care for themselves when they’re unable to do so.
- Medication errors: Nursing home staff may give residents the wrong medications, or they may over- or under-medicate them. They may also miss the required medications.
- Nursing home negligence: Nursing home staff may underfeed residents, leaving them suffering from weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration, which can have serious medical consequences. In nursing home and hospital negligence situations, seniors may suffer falls, leading to broken bones and other physical harm if not properly attended. Failure to maintain personal hygiene can leave seniors in soiled linens and clothing or suffering from bed sores that can lead to sepsis.
Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect can stem from several factors. If a nursing home focuses on making a profit, its management will likely cut corners in ways that can harm the residents.
Problems with staff can also lead to abuse and neglect. In an understaffed nursing home, the few employees present may need to pay more attention to residents’ care or provide substandard care. Staff who are not well-trained can end up causing harm out of ignorance, and those not paid adequately may not bother to provide the required care.
Benefits of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawsuit Pre-Settlement Funding
If you bring a lawsuit against a nursing home for abuse or neglect of your loved one, you might have to wait many months for your case to come to court and even longer until you see any compensation from the lawsuit. Nursing home abuse and neglect pre-settlement funding put money in your pocket to pay for some of your urgent needs — for instance, relocating your loved one to a safer facility.
You can also use your nursing home pre-settlement funding to pay any medical and therapy bills accrued and handle the legal fees that might start piling up. Having those funds available gives you peace of mind and offers you a cushion of time so you don’t feel pressured to accept a poor settlement from the nursing home or its insurance company. If you have the freedom to wait, you can get the settlement you need and deserve.
How long does it take for you to get approved for pre-settlement funding for a nursing home abuse & neglect lawsuit?
Turnaround time for the average nursing home neglect settlement case is speedy. Our team first evaluates the specifics of your case based on the information you provide and conversations with your attorney. After we’ve approved pre-settlement funding, we can have the cash in your bank account within 24 hours.
What are the requirements for pre-settlement funding for your nursing home abuse & neglect lawsuit?
Your case must be ongoing and handled by an attorney working on a contingency fee basis. You must be seeking compensation for abuse or neglect via lawsuit, and we must determine that your case is a strong one.
How Much Pre-Settlement Funding Can You Receive for Your Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawsuit?
USClaims can fund up to 12.5% of the anticipated amount of your nursing home neglect settlement case. With our fee cap, our record for ethical business practices, and our experienced staff, we’re able to advance the funds you need while waiting for your case to reach a resolution.
Dealing with an abusive facility and holding them accountable financially is difficult to do. We understand how difficult it can be to make ends meet while waiting for a resolution to your case. We offer pre-settlement funding that provides the money you need to live while your nursing home abuse claim makes its way through the courts. To apply, call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
FAQs
What can you use nursing home abuse lawsuits pre-settlement funds for?
You can use nursing home settlement funds for any financial need you’re facing.
What are the repayment terms for nursing home abuse lawsuit advances?
You only have to repay the pre-settlement advance if you win your case. The payment will come out of the proceeds. You do not have to pay if you don’t win your case.
Sources
- “Nursing Home Abuse Justice – Exposing Nursing Home Abuse.” NursingHomeAbuse.org, www.nursinghomeabuse.org/.
