Did you know that an estimated 5 million older people are victims of elder abuse each year?
Sometimes in life, there is no other option but to find a safe and comfortable place for older loved ones to live. However, if you discover evidence of mistreatment or signs of abuse, what can you do?
Would you know how to file a complaint against a nursing home quickly to protect your loved ones? Why not read on to find out how and when you can open a nursing home abuse lawsuit?
Contact the Management
If you suspect nursing home abuse, the first thing you should do is meet with the management of the home. You should insist that they investigate the accusations immediately.
They may discover that the abuse is an isolated case and deal with the guilty parties internally. This is often the fastest way to address the problem.
However, if you register a nursing home complaint and feel that it has fallen on deaf ears, what can you do?
If the resident of the home is young and can prove their case there may be an opportunity to file a personal injury claim. However, if the nursing home is uncooperative you may need to go above their heads.
Filing a Complaint With the State Department
Your next stop is the state authority that regulates and manages nursing homes or the long-term care ombudsman program.
The ombudsman program is a volunteer program that pursues the rights of seniors and caregivers. They will take up the cases of those who feel that an elderly relative is suffering abuse.
What to Include in Your Complaint
When preparing your complaint against a nursing home for the state department or ombudsman program it is important to include certain information.
This is a very good time to consider including legal counsel who can help you prepare your paperwork and ensure that you have the best chance of justice as quickly as possible.
You should include the name of the resident, the names of those who carry out the abuse, and an outline of the incident(s). It is important to clarify whether you feel that this is a single event or whether there is evidence of widespread abuse.
Legal counsel can help you to arrange this information in a manner that will help authorities to deal with it as quickly as possible.
Do You Know How to File a Complaint Against a Nursing Home? And Other Important Questions Answered
Knowing how to file a complaint against a nursing home can ensure that the suffering they are enduring is ended as quickly as possible. Further, you can stop the perpetrators of the abuse from repeating it to others.
If you are interested in learning about other legal pathways to protect yourself of your loved ones, contact us at Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, your Pensacola personal injury lawyers. We leverage our years in the legal industry to provide solid guidance to our clients.
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