Have you or someone you love been the victim of nursing home abuse in Metairie, Louisiana? At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how heartbreaking and infuriating it is to discover that a family member has suffered mistreatment at the hands of those trusted to care for them. Our Metairie nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help you hold negligent facilities and abusive staff accountable.
Our firm has five decades of combined experience helping Louisiana families seek justice for preventable injuries and tragedies, including nursing home neglect and abuse. We’re proud to be a trusted voice for the injured in Metairie and throughout Jefferson Parish.
If your loved one has been harmed in a care facility, don’t wait. Contact our office today at (888) 601-0127 to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees until we recover compensation for you first.
How Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Nursing Home Abuse Case in Metairie
Placing a loved one in a Metairie, LA, nursing home is one of the hardest decisions families face. When you make that choice, you expect the facility to provide compassionate and competent care. Sadly, some nursing homes fall short of that standard.
When abuse or neglect occurs, nursing homes must be held accountable. Our Metairie nursing home abuse attorneys can help your loved one get justice.
At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we are tireless advocates for victims of nursing home abuse and their families.
When you hire us, our Metairie personal injury attorneys will:
- Investigate your loved one’s injuries or condition
- Gather evidence, including staffing logs, medical records, and eyewitness accounts
- Consult with medical professionals and specialists
- Monitor any investigations conducted by the state or Elderly Protective Services
- Handle negotiations and communications with the other side
- Take your case to court, if necessary, to ensure justice is served
You shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. Our team will stand by your side and seek the compensation your loved one deserves. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Metairie personal injury lawyers.
We Handle All Types of Nursing Home Abuse Claims in Louisiana
Nursing home residents can be subjected to various forms of abuse and neglect. Each form of mistreatment can cause long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
Our Metairie nursing home abuse attorneys handle cases involving:
- Physical abuse, such as hitting, slapping, shaking, or the use of excessive restraints
- Neglect, including failing to provide food, water, hygiene, or medication
- Emotional and psychological abuse, such as threats, intimidation, isolation, and verbal degradation
- Sexual abuse, including inappropriate touching, assault, or exploitation
- Financial abuse, such as stealing money or assets
- Medical neglect or malpractice, such as medication errors or failure to treat illness or injury
Abuse is a crime in Louisiana. If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. You can also report non-emergency concerns to Adult Protective Services.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Metairie, LA
Abuse isn’t always easy to spot, especially when victims cannot communicate clearly or fear retaliation. That’s why family members must be alert and proactive.
Common red flags for neglect/abuse include:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
- Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
- Signs of restraint marks on wrists or ankles
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Unusual weight loss
- Sudden emotional changes, including withdrawal, fear, or aggression
- Poor hygiene or soiled bedding and clothing
- Fractures or broken bones
- Staff won’t leave you alone with your loved one
- Missing belongings, cash, or financial documents
- Changes to wills, powers of attorney, or property titles
Frequent, unannounced visits are one of the best ways to check on your loved one’s care. If something seems off, trust your instincts and seek legal guidance. Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers offers free consultations to help you understand your rights.
Why Does Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Happen?
While some abuse stems from malicious conduct, many instances of nursing home neglect are rooted in poor management or cost-cutting practices.
Common causes include:
- Understaffing and overworked caregivers
- Inadequate employee training and supervision
- Poor facility oversight and management
- Failure to conduct background checks on staff
- Failure to implement or enforce safety protocols
- A culture of silence and lack of accountability
Sometimes, nursing homes prioritize profit over people, cutting corners at the expense of resident safety. That’s unacceptable — and it’s unlawful.
What Is a Metairie Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
Every case is different, and the value of your nursing home abuse claim will depend on various factors, such as the nature and severity of the abuse, the duration of the harm, and the costs associated with treatment and recovery.
The value of your loved one’s case will depend on:
- Their medical expenses
- Whether they will require physical therapy or rehabilitation
- The pain and suffering they experienced
- The emotional distress and anxiety they endured
- Whether the facility or other parties can be held vicariously liable in addition to the abuser
- Available insurance coverages
- The strength of your evidence
The best way to determine the value of your case is to consult with an experienced injury attorney. Our Metairie nursing home abuse lawyers will work with experts to determine the full extent of your loved one’s damages and fight for every dollar of compensation they are owed.
What Compensation Is Available in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
Your loved one will typically be able to recover economic and non-economic damages to compensate for the harm they’ve suffered. The former category covers financial losses; the latter covers personal and non-monetary harm.
Potential damages in a nursing home abuse case may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Relocation and rehabilitation costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Worsening of existing conditions or new disabilities
- Counseling and therapy expenses
Our injury lawyers can help you determine all available compensation in your case. Reach out to us today to learn more.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse in Louisiana?
More than just the individual abuser can be held accountable. Under Louisiana law, nursing homes and care facilities may be liable for the actions of their employees under the principle of vicarious liability.
Liable parties may include:
- The individual staff member(s) who committed the abuse or neglect
- Nursing home administrators or supervisors who failed to act
- The company or corporation that owns or manages the facility
To establish liability, we must prove that:
- The facility or caregiver owed a duty of care to the resident
- That duty was breached through negligence (or intentional misconduct)
- The breach directly caused harm to the resident
- The resident suffered damages as a result
Our legal team is experienced in investigating and proving complex cases involving negligence. We will leave no stone unturned as we identify all the liable parties in your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Louisiana?
As of July 1, 2024, Louisiana law allows two years from the date of injury or discovery of harm to file most personal injury claims, including nursing home abuse lawsuits. However, claims that arose before that date are still governed by the previous one-year deadline.
For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations remains one year from the date of death.
Missing these deadlines could prevent your loved one from obtaining justice. Contact our legal team as soon as you suspect abuse or neglect so we can begin building your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Metairie Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
Most nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, including no retainers or hourly fees. Rather, you only pay your lawyer if they win a personal injury award on your behalf. If your attorney is successful, their fee will come from a pre-agreed percentage of the settlement or verdict.
We believe every family should have access to high-quality legal representation — regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we take nursing home abuse cases on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Metairie Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
When a trusted care facility violates the rights of your loved one, they must be held accountable. At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we are passionate about protecting vulnerable individuals and giving a voice to the voiceless.
If you suspect that your family member has suffered abuse or neglect in a Metairie nursing home, don’t wait. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us help you fight for justice and restore dignity to those who need it most.
Call or contact us online to speak with a Metairie nursing home abuse attorney today.
