Types of Damages You Can Seek in a Nursing Home Lawsuit

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Types of Damages You Can Seek in a Nursing Home Lawsuit

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Within nursing homes, there are sometimes cases of neglect and abuse against residents.  These cases are devastating simply due to their nature, but residents and their families are thankfully not powerless against these injustices. If you or someone you love has been the victim of neglect or abuse within a nursing home, contacting a nursing home attorney should be the first thing you do. A nursing home lawyer can help you determine what the best course of action is and can explain the different types of damages you may want to consider pursuing. If you are not familiar with the types of damages that may be involved with a nursing home case, this guide can help you understand a few types of damages that you may want to ask about.

Medical Expenses

If you are dealing with a case of neglect or abuse that warranted medical attention or intervention, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses. That can include everything from physical therapy, hospitalization, the need to see a specialist, and a number of other medical expenses.  A nursing home lawyer will be able to negotiate these terms with the doctors involved, as well as the nursing home and any insurance companies that also have a stake in the outcome of the case.

Disability

Some cases cause disability—for instance, if neglect occurs, bed sores can develop, and when those are left untreated, they can cause significant damage. If abuse causes a person to lose the ability to do things that they were able to do prior to living in the nursing home, a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer may be able to help.

Pain & Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are a bit more difficult to fight for, due to the nature of pain—it is intangible and relies only on the word of the neglected/abused resident.  Many times, however, injuries or results of neglect and abuse are readily apparent or graphic, and photos can be powerful and persuasive in a court case. If someone you know has been the victim of neglect or abuse that caused pain and suffering, a nursing home attorney will be able to give you advice on how to proceed.

These are just three types of damages you can seek in the event of a nursing home abuse or neglect case. A nursing home lawyer can better and more thoroughly explain what your options are – if you’ve been dealing with a case involving nursing home abuse, contact a lawyer today.