Gonzales Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyer

Experienced Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Attorney In Gonzales, LA

There are many reputable nursing homes in the Gonzales area and throughout Ascension Parish, including the Gonzales Healthcare Center and Azalea Estates of Gonzales. While most nursing homes provide compassionate elder care, nursing home abuse is unfortunately more common than many families realize. If you suspect your loved one has been abused at their nursing home, you should speak to a Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer right away.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect in Gonzales, LA

The Gonzales personal injury lawyers at Gauthier Amedee have more than 50 years of experience representing injured clients in Gonzales and throughout Ascension Parish in a wide range of cases. Nursing home abuse and neglect cases are particularly challenging in several ways. Not only must you understand Louisiana’s personal injury laws, but the nursing home may face penalties, and the defendant may also face criminal charges for violating elder abuse laws.

The National Council on Aging reports that about 10% of Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some type of elder abuse at least once. Nursing home abuse and neglect cases can arise in many ways, and it is important to be vigilant for any signs of mistreatment when you visit an elderly loved one at their nursing home: 

• If your loved one has bruises or other signs of injury, the nursing home should have an incident report on file if they were hurt in an accident. Pay close attention to their demeanor, and if they appear fearful, anxious, or frustrated, these could be indications that they have been physically abused and are afraid to speak about it due to threats from their abuser.
• Sexual abuse can occur in various ways in a nursing home, and this is not only physically and psychologically traumatic but also dangerous for the victim’s health. Any nursing home staff member who engages in this behavior may face criminal prosecution for sexual battery.
• Financial exploitation is unfortunately one of the most common types of elder abuse in the US: Nursing home staff may commit fraud, identity theft, or steal property from elderly residents.
• Bedsores can develop when bedridden nursing home residents aren’t regularly repositioned: Left unchecked, these can be life-threatening medical complications. If a loved one has developed bedsores, this is a clear sign of neglect from nursing home staff.
• General neglect, such as failure to ensure a resident has clean clothes, bedding, water, food, and medication, can easily result in disastrous effects. Pay close attention to the state of your elderly loved one’s living space when visiting, and note any signs that nursing home staff are failing to account for their basic living needs.

Unfortunately, most nursing home abuse and neglect cases do not arise from isolated incidents. Many nursing home residents who experience mistreatment from their caregivers endure prolonged patterns of abuse, sometimes enduring months or even years of mistreatment before their loved ones discover the truth of their situations.

An experienced Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer can help you determine whether you have grounds for legal action if you notice any of these issues when visiting an elderly loved one. Your attorney can gather crucial evidence to help you prove that your loved one has been abused or neglected by nursing home staff and assist you with building a personal injury case.

The team at Gauthier Amedee will provide compassionate, results-driven legal counsel through every step of your case. You can trust us to gather crucial evidence, assist you with removing the victim from a dangerous situation, and accurately calculate the full extent of the damages your family is eligible to claim. You have a short time to build your case, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to get started.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Nursing Home Neglect?

Proving nursing home neglect may seem challenging, but an experienced Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect attorney will know how to gather the evidence you need to prove liability. Your case may require statements from witnesses, including other nursing home residents and staff members, security footage from the facility, medical records, and more. Consult an attorney as soon as possible so they can start gathering this evidence right away.

What Are the Penalties for Nursing Home Abuse in Louisiana?

Penalties for nursing home abuse in Louisiana can include more than just liability for the victim’s damages. Any individual who intentionally abuses an elderly person faces criminal penalties, including fines, incarceration, and loss of professional licenses. If anyone has firsthand knowledge of such abuse and does not report it, they may also face fines and other penalties. Your attorney can explain how the defendant’s criminal behavior affects your civil case.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

The total amount of compensation you can claim for nursing home abuse or neglect depends on several factors. Your Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect attorney can calculate economic damages like medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs for removing the victim from an abusive environment. They can also determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation to include in your personal injury case.

Why Should I Hire a Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyer?

You should hire a nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer because these are inherently challenging cases in several ways, and it can be difficult to focus on complex legal matters when dealing with the emotional strain this situation likely caused. Your attorney can gather the evidence you need to build a stronger case, guide you through case proceedings efficiently, and ultimately help you secure appropriate compensation for the damages the defendant caused.

If you have discovered that an elderly loved one has been abused and/or neglected by those you have trusted and paid to care for them, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer as soon as possible. The team at Gauthier Amedee is ready to help with every step of your case, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Gonzales nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer.