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How An Attorney Can Investigate An Abusive Nursing Home

Our law firm knows how to uncover the truth

When you learn that a loved one has been victimized in a nursing home, one of the biggest challenges can be finding out exactly what happened. Unfortunately, it's often difficult to find evidence of nursing home abuse. Witnesses may have difficulty understanding or articulating what happened, and the nursing homes themselves often try to hide evidence.

That's why you need an experienced nursing home abuse attorney from Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C. on your side. We know how to investigate abusive nursing homes, and we're committed to holding them accountable.

We move quickly to get the evidence your family needs

As soon as you contact us and retain our firm to handle your case, we'll go to work. Evidence can disappear quickly in a nursing home setting. Some of the steps we'll take in our investigation include:

  • Review medical records: Nursing homes are required to carefully document any medications that are administered and treatments or medical procedures that are needed for residents. Our investigation may turn up errors in medication administration or unexplained injuries or illnesses that may support a pattern of abuse. We may also turn up discrepancies such as records showing that nursing staff at the home were still attending to the patient days after he or she was transferred to a hospital.
  • Examine hiring and supervision records: In many cases, nursing homes blame cases of abuse and neglect on inexperienced staff. That doesn't absolve the nursing home of responsibility, though. It's their job to make sure their staff are providing the legally required standard of care. We'll examine their records to see whether staff were adequately trained and background checks were conducted to eliminate candidates with prior allegations of abuse.
  • Interviewing witnesses: Witness testimony is a critical part of a case against a nursing home, but it can be difficult to find. Residents often have difficulty remembering or describing what happened, and staff are often under pressure from the nursing home to keep quiet about abuse so that they can keep their jobs. Our attorney will put in the hard work needed to find reliable testimony, corroborate statements and find out what really happened.
  • Financial records: Not all cases of nursing home abuse are directed at the resident - some are directed at the resident's finances. We'll look for cases of double-billing for services or unexplained withdrawals from the resident's bank account. These acts of financial exploitation are not only abusive. They may also indicate that a resident is being blackmailed, coerced or manipulated.

Who investigates nursing home abuse?

Nursing home abuse complaints are typically investigated by regulatory agencies at the state level. In Alabama, it is the Alabama Department of Public Health that is responsible for overseeing and regulating healthcare facilities, including nursing homes. The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) and The Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman also handle nursing home abuse and neglect. But you also need an attorney to conduct an investigation on your behalf.

The benefits of hiring a lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is not required to take legal action, but there are many benefits to having legal representation. On top of conducting investigations on your behalf and assisting with reporting elder abuse, an experienced attorney can offer guidance and support through other aspects of a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

  • Navigating the legal process. Filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit and understanding legal aspects can be challenging and overwhelming. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the legal system to help you with:
    • Understanding laws and regulations
    • Filling out necessary paperwork
    • Meeting deadlines
    • Going to trial if necessary
  • Advocating for justice. Your lawyer will be your advocate, seeking justice on your loved one’s behalf. We’ll look out for your best interests and fight hard to make sure the parties responsible for the abuse are held accountable for their actions. This includes fighting for compensation not only for the physical harm caused, but for the emotional distress as well.
  • Providing peace of mind. Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that can have serious effects on your family. With our attorney’s knowledge, experience, and commitment to your case, you can focus on your loved one with peace of mind knowing your legal rights are being protected and pursued.

A thorough investigation into a case of nursing home abuse or neglect can take years, especially if the nursing home is uncooperative. That's why you need an experienced attorney who will put in the time and stand by your family. Our legal team has handled hundreds of these complex cases, and we'd be honored to help your family as well. Call (866) 583-1885 for a free consultation.

Bessemer

Bessemer, located in Jefferson County, southwest of Birmingham, is a small city with a population of about 27,000. Many families choose to place their loved ones one of the four nursing homes in Bessemer, AL. The four facilities have a total of 458 residents: Oaks on Parkwood Skilled Nursing Facility, Terrace Oaks Care & Rehabilitation Center, Golden LivingCenter - Meadowood, Oak Trace Care & Rehabilitation Center. Was your loved one harmed in a Bessemer, AL nursing home? Know your rights. Talk to a lawyer now.

Hueytown

Hueytown in Jefferson County has a population of about 16,000. The city has two nursing homes - Self Health Care & Rehabilitation Center Inc., which has 131 beds, and Golden LivingCenter - Hueytown, which has 50 beds. If your loved one was harmed or you lost a loved one in a nursing home due to abuse or neglect, contact an attorney to discover your rights.

Birmingham

With more than 200,000 residents living here, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. Many of Alabama's nursing homes are located within the city limits. The 22 facilities, which have a total of 2,437 beds, include South Haven Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, Meadowbrook Extended Care, Civic Center Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, Fairview Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Eastview Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, among others (this is a partial list). If your loved one was injured in a Birmingham nursing home, arrange a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.

Pell City

Pell City, AL in St. Clair County is a small city in Alabama, with roughly 13,000 people living here. The city has grown residentially and commercially over recent years. Pell City has three nursing homes with 391 beds. The facilities in Pell City include Meadowview Nursing Center, Village at Cook Springs Skilled Nursing Facility, Golden LivingCenter - Pell City. A nursing home injury can be devastating, but you can take action to protect your rights. Call an attorney today to get started.

Oneonta

Oneonta in 2010 had a population of 6,567. There's more to this small city than the Covered Bridge Festival, which attracts visitors each year who want to discover Oneonta's history and visit the remaining covered bridges in Blount County. Many Alabama Families place loved ones in one of the two nursing homes: TLC Nursing Center, which has 103 beds, and Golden LivingCenter - Oneonta, which has 120 beds. Let us hear from you if your loved one suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Contact an attorney for a free consultation.

Pleasant Grove

Situated in western Jefferson County, Pleasant Grove is the city with the nickname "The Good Neighbor City." It's a place where more than 10,000 people call home. The two nursing homes are Caregivers of Pleasant Grove, Inc., with 64 beds, and Legacy Health and Rehabilitation of Pleasant Grove, with 198 beds. We urge you to speak with an attorney if your loved one was harmed in a nursing home. Call today or complete the form on this page.

Clanton

Clanton, a city in Chilton County with about 9,000 residents, has a motto that states "a good place to visit ... a better place to live." That may be one of the reasons why some Alabama families place their loved ones in Hatley Health Care Inc., a nursing home in Clanton with 201 beds. Our attorney can help you and your loved one if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect. Contact us right now. A delay may affect your rights.

Ashville

The city of Ashville, AL in St. Clair County has just over 2,000 residents. Ashville is described as a community with many Antebellum homes, churches - a place steeped in history. The one nursing home in Ashville is Health Care Inc., with 53 beds. Nursing home abuse and neglect should never be tolerated. We can help you get justice. Contact an attorney right now.

Jasper

Located in Walker County, AL, Jasper has about 14,000 residents. Jasper, once one of the leading producers of coal in the world, is rich in history. Several places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nursing home in Jasper, Ridgeview Health Services, Inc., has two locations. One is a 148-bed facility and the other has 98 beds. Was your loved one injured in a nursing home? Let our attorney put experience and resources to work. The injury or neglect deserves immediate legal attention.

Gardendale

One of the northern suburbs of Birmingham, Gardendale, AL has a population of about 14,000 people. The city has grown over the years and now includes over 400 businesses, four schools and 24 churches. Gardendale also is the location of one nursing home, Magnolia Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center, with 148 beds. A nursing home abuse or neglect case can be complex, but our attorney has experience. We know how to get results.

Alabaster

A growing city in Shelby County, Alabaster has more than 30,000 people living in the city. The two nursing homes are Shelby Ridge Nursing Home (131 beds) and Chandler Health & Rehabilitation Center, LLC (198 beds). If you see signs of nursing home abuse or neglect or suspect your loved one was injured or died because of negligence, talk to an attorney immediately.

Centreville

A small city in Bibb County, Centreville has fewer than 3,000 residents, but does include one nursing home with 131 beds, Bibb Medical Center Nursing Home. Our attorney has a proven track record of getting results for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. We want to hear from you now. Free case review.

Trussville

Trussville in Jefferson and St. Clair counties has been described as one of the most rapidly growing city in Alabama. It now has a population of more than 20,000 people. In 2000, there were about 5,000 people living in Trussville. The city's one nursing home, Golden LivingCenter - Trussville, has 125 beds. Your loved one's injury in a nursing home deserves serious and immediate legal representation. Let us know what happened, so we can begin helping you.

Cordova

The small city of Cordova in Walker County has a population of about 2,000 people. The nursing home in Cordova, AL is Cordova Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, which has 114 beds. A nursing home resident deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If your loved one was injured or neglected, we urge you to talk to our knowledgeable attorney.

Columbiana

Columbiana in Shelby County has about 4,000 residents and includes one nursing home, Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation, LLC, which has 63 beds. Our attorney holds negligent nursing homes accountable. If your loved one was hurt due to negligence, we want to hear from you now. A delay may affect your rights.

Carbon Hill

Carbon Hill, a city of roughly 2,000 people, is located in Walker County. There is one nursing home in Carbon Hill - Walker Rehabilitation Center, Inc., which has 59 beds. If you believe your loved one was injured or neglected in a nursing home, you will need to get legal advice from an attorney with years of experience. Talk to us today.

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