Coping with a loved one’s inability to care for themselves can be tough, but if they’re staying in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, you’re their best advocate. Elder neglect is unfortunately common and it can be hard to fight alone.
Here are 5 reasons you should consider hiring a nursing home neglect lawyer and how Mazow | McCullough, PC can help.
Top 5 Reasons to Call a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
You should contact a qualified elder abuse attorney at any point you suspect your family member may be the victim of neglect or abuse by a caregiver. However, involving experienced legal help becomes especially important when:
1. You Don’t Trust the Facility Your Loved One Is At
Regardless of how good a nursing home seems to be, it’s a good idea to remember that profit almost always comes before patient welfare in nursing homes. This is especially true of long-term care facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid.
If your family member is showing signs of neglect, the facility may not respond positively if you report it. It also allows them to hide or discard any evidence that may prove your case. For example, the nursing home may record over video footage or alter medical records if they are tipped off that you’re concerned about your loved one’s well-being in their care.
Contacting a nursing home neglect lawyer first can help protect your legal rights and put the facility on notice that you’re taking things seriously.
2. You’re Not Familiar With Elder Abuse Laws In Your State
Elder abuse laws can be complicated and challenging for the average person to understand. Unethical nursing homes often take advantage of families’ lack of legal knowledge and may lie or be intentionally ambiguous when discussing things facilities are required to do. They count on your inability to navigate these complex issues and are used to getting away with the harm they cause when the families of residents don’t know their rights.
An attorney who has a solid track record of representing nursing home abuse victims has a much deeper knowledge of the laws that may apply to your case. They often have a better understanding than staff members themselves and can help ensure that the nursing home stays within their legal boundaries.
3. You Have Limited Time On Your Hands
Many families who move their loved ones to a nursing home do so because they don’t have the time for full-time care. This often also applies to dealing with cases of neglect. It can be burdensome to make time for phone calls with the facility, mail correspondence, and court procedures.
When you work with a lawyer, they will field those calls and manage paperwork for you, so you can focus on what matters most – supporting your loved one and keeping up with your own busy life.
4. You Need Help Communicating With the Nursing Home
Another reason why you might want an attorney taking calls from the nursing home is if you need help talking to nursing home staff. Many facilities will put family members on hold for long periods or use complicated jargon to intimidate them into ending the call. They may refuse to return your calls or just continue assuring you that everything is fine, despite evidence to the contrary.
The attorney you work with can communicate with the nursing home on your behalf. Not only does this save you the hassle of having to do so on your own, it increases your chances of a successful resolution. Facility staff will find it more difficult to discourage an experienced lawyer and have a harder time steering the conversation away from the facts.
5. Your Loved One Is In Danger
If you suspect that your loved one may be in danger, a lawyer can help you get in touch with the police and compel them to investigate the nursing home. Your attorney can also negotiate with insurance companies for your family member to be removed from the facility as quickly as possible.
Protect Your Family – Call Mazow | McCullough, PC Today
Mazow | McCullough, PC are trusted Massachusetts and New Hampshire elder neglect lawyers who can help you protect your loved one when they need it most. We can advocate for your family member’s best interests and hold negligent nursing homes accountable.
Contact us today to learn more about your rights as a family member or to schedule your free initial consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
