Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Alabama
Contact an attorney who will fight for the rights of your loved one
Families in Alabama should be able to trust that their loved ones will receive the best care in nursing homes. However, nursing home abuse happens far too often, and unfortunately, many cases go unreported. What’s worse, abuse can occur without any witnesses. This not only makes it difficult to prove the abuse, but can make it difficult to identify the offender.
Residents may only see relatives on seldom occasions, which can make it difficult for them to identify any unusual behavior or other signs of abuse. Additionally, residents may either not remember incidents of abuse or may be afraid to come forward.
At Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C., we have seen the pain and suffering nursing home abuse cases can cause to the elderly and their families. We know how frustrating and painful it can be to learn that a loved one was a victim of abuse. We are dedicated to upholding victim’s rights and holding perpetrators accountable. Contact us today to learn more.
When to report the abuse of an elder
It’s important to know when and how to report nursing home abuse. Recognizing the signs is the first step. They can be:
- Physical: Bedsores, unexplained bruises and cuts, injuries from falls, fractures and bleeding, dehydration and kidney failure, choking and aspiration pneumonia, medication errors and overdoses, infections and sepsis
- Emotional: Unexplained changes in behavior and emotional withdrawal
- Sexual: Bruises or marks around the genitals, physical discomfort, uneasiness around certain caretakers
- Financial: Unexplained financial trouble and unpaid bills, improper or unsuitable investment decisions by brokers and financial advisors, misuse and theft of money or other property
If any signs of abuse are apparent, it’s crucial that it gets reported. In fact, the state of Alabama has reporting requirements in effect – any party that works with residents and suspects nursing home abuse has a duty to report it.
In Alabama, you can report a nursing home facility to the state by calling the ElderCare Hotline at 1-800-356-9596 or filing an online complaint with the Alabama Department of Public Health. You can also call Adult Protective Services toll-free at 800-458-7214 if you suspect abuse (reports can be made anonymously).
If you suspect that a resident’s life may be in danger, call 911 immediately.
What to do after reporting nursing home abuse
If you took the initiative to report elder abuse, you did the right thing. However, more must be done to hold negligent and malicious parties accountable.
It’s important to understand the complexity of your case. Nursing homes will go to great lengths to deny or cover up any wrongdoing on their part. Furthermore, you may be up against a nursing home’s attorney who will find loopholes to take advantage of.
When this happens, families of nursing home abuse victims are not only left without the support and financial compensation they need, the offender may continue to abuse other residents. That’s why you will need a highly skilled Alabama nursing home abuse attorney on your side who is ahead of the curve.
At Shuttlesworth Law Firm, P.C., our knowledgeable and compassionate legal team will aggressively investigate the source of abuse and gather the evidence we need to support your claim.
During your free consultation, we can review the details of your case, answer your questions, and let you know how a lawyer might be able to help you with a possible lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a nursing home abuse lawyer, or call our Birmingham office at 205-322-1411.
