Alabama's Personal Injury Lawyer
The actor Michael J. Fox once said that “family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” We believe that. It is our honor to care for those who once cared for us. If your loved one is being abused in their nursing home, our Birmingham nursing home neglect attorneys will fight for your loved one’s rights and future. Call us today to learn more about how we can help.
Most law firms work on a contingency basis for personal injury claims like nursing home abuse. A contingency fee basis means we do not charge you anything unless we win a settlement in or out of court. This fee structure ensures we work hard for your case and that you don't have even more out-of-pocket expenses during a stressful time. Reach out today for a free consultation with our compassionate and experienced team. We also offer contingency fee schedules for other practice areas such as:
Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. When you speak with us, bring as much information as possible: photos, eyewitness descriptions (written or on video), medical records, and so forth. If you cannot access that information, we can get it for you.
From there, Mezrano Law Firm will build a case to show that your loved one’s injuries were caused by negligence or abuse and that he or she is entitled to damages for:
If your loved one died due to their injuries or neglect, we could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible parties.
Family is everything. When someone has hurt your loved one, Mezrano Law Firm fights back. Our experienced Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers know what it takes to build a successful case. To learn more about our services, please call 205-206-6300 or fill out our contact form to set up a free initial consultation.
While you can use both phrases interchangeably, the general definitions are as follows:
Nursing home neglect is the failure to fulfill the needs of an elderly person in one’s care. It can stem from ignorance about what that care is and can be unmotivated. An example of nursing home neglect is failing to turn an immobile patient over every few hours so that he or she does not develop bedsores.
Nursing home abuse is a deliberate, sometimes malicious act. It can be motivated by the desire to gain power over a patient. Physically or sexually assaulting a resident is an example of nursing home abuse. Nursing homes owe a duty of care to their patients, which is why negligent AND abusive behaviors are not allowed.
Elder abuse is a big problem in the US. According to the National Council on Aging, about 1 in 10 seniors will be abused, but only 1 in 14 cases will ever be reported to law enforcement. The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that “Alabama’s elderly population is expected to grow by 82.4 percent between 2010 and 2040, adding 542,061 elderly to the population” – and that the rate of elder abuse in our state is about 12.4 out of every 10,000 people. Rural communities have a higher percentage of reported abuse of the elderly.
One of the problems with recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect is that many of them can simply be the aging process. Here are some of the most common signs:
If your loved one is being bullied or abused by another resident, you may still have a claim against the nursing home. Had the staff, doctors, or other personnel been doing their jobs properly, such behaviors should have been noticed and corrected. Failing to maintain a safe space for residents is a sign of neglect.
Financial abuse is a real problem in nursing homes. If you suddenly notice that your family member is struggling financially, it's time to ask why.
Understand that your loved one has rights and protections under the law. If you suspect those rights have been violated, you can contact the Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 800-AGE-LINE, or by contacting:
United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County
3600 8th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35232
205.458.3330
Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
2 20th Street North
Suite 1200
Birmingham, AL 35203
205.623.2121
How does your loved one’s Birmingham nursing home compare?
Data Source: Propublica – Nursing Home Inspect, Alabama
