When you help an elderly parent or other vulnerable loved one move into a nursing home, you have the fair and reasonable expectation that they will be treated properly. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a serious problem. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) estimates that 10% of senior citizens have personally endured abuse.
This raises an important question: Should you call the authorities or an attorney if you suspect nursing home abuse in Maricopa County? The answer is both. Within this article, our Gilbert nursing home abuse lawyers explain the most important steps to take if you suspect that your vulnerable loved one was the victim of abuse in an assisted living facility in Arizona.
Step #1: Ensure Your Loved One Gets Immediately Medical Care for Any Injuries
The health, well-being, and physical safety of your vulnerable loved one is always the number one priority. If you suspect nursing home abuse, you need to be sure that your loved one gets immediate (independent) medical care. Do not rely on the nursing home—or any medical professionals who are directly connected to the nursing home—for this treatment. Be sure to document any visible injuries and get a professional assessment to establish a medical record. This is crucial not only for their health but also for any legal action you might pursue later. If serious nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect is suspected, you need to move your loved one out of that facility.
Step #2: Consult With a Lawyer Before Providing a Statement to Any Insurer
You need strong, experienced, and reliable legal representation. Before you give a formal statement to any insurance adjuster or any nursing home representative, you should consult with a top-rated Gilbert nursing home abuse lawyer. Nursing home abuse can be the basis of a civil legal claim in Arizona. Your attorney’s legal advice can be essential to protect your vulnerable loved one’s rights and your family’s financial interests. Among other things, a Gilbert nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect lawyer can answer questions, advise you on your options, and take legal action.
Step #3: Report the Suspected Abuse to Arizona Department of Health Services
After addressing immediate medical needs of your loved one and ensuring that you have the proper legal representation, you should report suspected nursing home abuse to state authorities. More specifically, nursing home abuse in Maricopa County should be reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). You can call to report abuse. The ADHS also has an Online Complaint Submittal Form. You can use it to track the status of your complaint. It is important to provide detailed information to ADHS while also following your attorney’s guidance.
The Bottom Line: You Should Protect Your Loved One, Report Abuse, and Bring a Claim
Here is the takeaway: Nursing home abuse is a very serious matter. It should never be taken lightly. Immediate action is a must to protect your elderly parent or other vulnerable loved one. During the early stages of the case, there are three keys that you need to follow:
- Ensure your loved one gets any necessary medical care and make provisions to move them out of the facility if they are in a dangerous environment;
- Consult with an experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorney who can help you prepare for a civil legal claim to hold the facility accountable and seek compensation; and
- Report the suspected nursing home abuse to the proper state authorities (Arizona Department of Health Services).
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Gilbert Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
At Free Injury Legal Advice, our Gilbert nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers have the professional expertise you can trust. If your loved one was the victim of abuse, we are more than ready to help. Reaching out to authorities is an important step. You also need to bring a civil claim against the facility. Contact us now for your no-fee, no-commitment case review. From our Gilbert office, we handle nursing home abuse claims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona.