Russell & Hill, PLLC
Elder Abuse Attorney near Me

Even though assisted living facilities can provide great care, often the reality may be very different. The truth is that a large number of these facilities are not equipped, in one way or another, to provide proper care to their inhabitants. Many of these nursing homes and facilities are usually poorly equipped, understaffed, or simply not prepared to give quality care. Regrettably, this often results in different types of abuse towards the elderly.

This is where our team of experienced attorneys comes in. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our goal is to bring justice to the victims of mistreatment inside nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

There is a statute in Washington that protects the rights of the elderly and any other vulnerable persons. This includes different types of abuse like monetary and physical, just to name a few. People that live in full-time care facilities can make general negligence claims, with every single act of negligence carrying damages as well.

There are thousands of reports filed every year that indicate a large percentage of care homes abuse the elderly at one point or another. It’s shameful to see that the facilities responsible for taking care of the elderly are the ones being cited for abuse. Our experienced attorneys have an extensive history of defending the rights of the elderly and vulnerable and are committed to helping all victims get the compensation they deserve.

How A Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help You

Nursing home abuse attorneys usually focus on handling different types of misconduct reports within assisted living homes. People who suffer severe trauma have different needs than others. Lawyers that handle these cases need to have the emotional strength to handle these abuse cases calmly and with empathy.

It’s very frustrating to put your trust in a facility that claims to provide full-time care, just to find they have been abusing your family members. In addition to this, facilities that are not properly equipped to provide easy access to basic needs can also count as instances of abuse.

It’s worth noting that the elderly are not the only ones that require full-time care at one point or another. Those who are involved in a bad accident may temporarily require care around the clock. Due to their vulnerable state, these people are also prone to suffering from different forms of abuse.

If you or a loved one requires full-time care for any reason, it makes sense to seek an assisted living facility. However, if you feel there are any instances of abuse, under any definition, get in touch with us right away.

Focus Areas

Although nursing home abuse attorneys often focus on instances of abuse, there are numerous areas where they can be extremely helpful. Having professional legal advice can help you take care of an array of legal matters that affect disabled, injured, or older persons in Seattle.

Our seasoned attorneys usually work with the person’s family or caregiver to address different issues. These include, but are not limited to:

We also understand that some people may require full-time care after a bad accident or due to a disability. Our attorneys also have vast experience taking care of their living arrangements and making sure all their needs are met every single day.

Nursing Home Abuse Explained

Even if they have earned a bad reputation for abuse, assisted living facilities are becoming more and more common in Seattle. Because more and more people are now choosing to make use of these homes, it’s important to learn about the different types of elder family home abuse, as not all are obvious at first sight.

  • Verbal and psychological abuse: This is the most common type of abuse, but it doesn’t mean it’s not destructive. It can range from improper administration of medication to name calling.
  • Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse is also among the most common types of abuse reports. This can include inappropriate comments, rape, or forced exposure.
  • Physical trauma: Senior citizens may sometimes be exposed to physical traumas that include hitting, restraining, or slapping.
  • Financial exploit: Not allowing vulnerable people to access the funds in their accounts is a form of financial abuse. Other forms of financial abuse include fraud, denial of access to bank information, and embezzlement.
  • Negligence on behalf of the caregiver: Failing to provide necessary care to the resident. The most common type is malnutrition, although some other cases may also include poor hygiene and denial of medication.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Nursing Home Abuse In Seattle?

It can be challenging to recognize the signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse. Yes, in some cases, abuse is fairly apparent, but what we often find is that nursing home abuse signs and symptoms are subtle and easily confused with the natural processes of aging. Family members and friends of those in a Seattle nursing home need to be on the lookout for the following:

  • Any unusual or unexplained bruises, cuts, or welts
  • Unexplained broken or dislocated bones
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Extreme mood swings or outbursts
  • Changes in appetite
  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Bedsores that go untreated or recur often
  • Dehydration
  • Lack of cleanliness (close, body, room)
  • Frequent infections
  • Reclusive or withdrawn behavior

For cases where Seattle nursing home abuse is related to a person’s psychological or emotional welfare, there may be no actual physical signs of the abuse. That is why it is so important for family members to interact with their loved ones in nursing homes on a regular basis.

How Long Do You Have To File A Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Elder family home abuse victims and their family members need to be aware that there is a limited amount of time to handle these claims. First, we want every person reading this to be aware that the personal injury statute of limitations in Washington is three years from the date an injury occurs. This gives Seattle nursing home abuse victims and their families a three-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged abuser. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they are entitled to.

Additionally, we need to stress how important it is not to wait to speak to an attorney about these situations. As soon as you discover that your loved one may have been abused in a nursing home, an attorney needs to get involved so they can obtain and preserve any evidence related to the situation. Insurance carriers in these cases are going to require that these claims be reported very quickly, and any delay could result in significant complications when it comes to reaching a settlement.

Locating A Reliable Nursing Home Abuse Attorney In Seattle

Unfortunately, elder abuse is a reality. One of our main goals is to help get victims the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering, allowing them to find a suitable home to care for them.

Our team of professional nursing home abuse attorneys can help you identify instances of abuse and hold the accountable party responsible for their actions. If you or one of your loved ones is being victimized, contact Russell & Hill today. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 206-516-2045.

More Americans are reaching retirement age than ever before. But, even though most families love and cherish their oldest members, providing full-time care to a relative can be extremely challenging, especially true if you have children of your own to care for. Because of this, many families in Seattle are turning to assisted living facilities that provide care around the clock for senior citizens.

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