Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

We expect our family members to receive compassionate, professional care in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, instances of abuse shatter this expectation, leaving families grappling with pain and indecision.

At Edwards & Patterson Law, our hearts go out to every individual and family touched by the cruel reality of nursing home abuse. We are ready to help you fight back and seek justice for people harmed by abuse in nursing homes in Tulsa and throughout Oklahoma.

Armed with more than four decades of legal prowess and an unwavering commitment to justice, we’ve secured millions in compensation for individuals who’ve been wronged. Our Tulsa nursing home abuse attorneys are ready to work for you to hold the perpetrators accountable and get the abused person the justice they deserve.

Call us now or complete our contact form for a free and confidential case review.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse is any intentional or negligent act that causes harm, distress, or deprivation to residents at a residential care facility. These despicable actions can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, and financial maltreatment. Beyond the evident physical harm, abuse can impact victims’ mental and emotional well-being.

Families entrust nursing homes with the vital responsibility of caring for their loved ones, expecting they’ll be safe and receive empathy and proficient care. When this trust is violated through abuse, it not only jeopardizes the health and dignity of the residents but also inflicts emotional trauma on families.

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Occur?

Nursing home abuse often emerges from various underlying causes. Common causes of nursing home abuse include:

• Insufficient Staffing – A lack of adequate personnel can lead to neglect as the existing staff gets overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
• Inadequate Training – Staff members without proper education and training may inadvertently cause harm or neglect nursing home residents’ needs.
• Poor Management – Lackluster leadership and mismanagement can perpetuate an environment where neglect and abuse become pervasive.
• Financial Greed – Financially motivated facilities might prioritize profit over care, leading to shortcuts that jeopardize residents’ well-being.
• Ineffective Enforcement of Regulations – Weak implementation and oversight of existing regulations might enable misconduct among the staff.
• Inadequate Screening of Employees – Failure to thoroughly vet and assess the suitability of staff can allow individuals with malicious intentions to interact with residents.
• Poor Physical Environment – Inadequate facilities or unsafe environments may enable abuse or neglect to occur.
• Insufficient Medical Resources – A scarcity of essential medical resources can result in neglect.

What Are Some Examples of Nursing Home Abuse?

Some of the different types of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical Abuse – Physical abuse encompasses a range of malicious activities, from striking, hitting, or rough handling of residents to even more covert forms of harm like burns or force-feeding. The use of physical or chemical restraints is another form of physical abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – Sexual abuse is any form of nonconsensual sexual contact or exposure. In addition to the obvious physical abuses, forcing someone to look at pornographic or other sexual material also qualifies as abuse.
• Verbal Abuse – This maltreatment often surfaces as derogatory remarks, yelling, threats, and other harmful expressions aimed at belittling or frightening the resident.
• Emotional Abuse – Emotional abuse in nursing homes involves actions that cause psychological pain or distress to the residents. This category, which often overlaps with verbal abuse, includes deliberately ignoring residents, isolating them from social interactions or activities, or maintaining an overt indifference toward them.
• Financial Abuse – Financial abuse at nursing homes involves the illicit or unauthorized use of a resident’s financial resources or property. It can include the unauthorized use of the person’s funds, altering wills or other financial documents without consent, and outright theft of money or possessions.

Are There Signs to Look for That Might Indicate Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse often shrouds itself in subtlety, making it critical to remain vigilant and attuned to any signs indicating something’s wrong. Recognizing these indicators of suspected abuse is not merely an act of observation. It is a crucial step toward intervening, advocating, and stopping abuse.

Some signs of nursing home abuse to watch for include:

• Unexplained injuries like bruises, fractures, or burns
• Frequent infections or illnesses
• Bedsores (bed sores) or pressure ulcers
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Signs of dehydration
• Unexplained changes in behavior or mood
• Fear or anxiety around certain staff members
• Frequent crying or expressions of frustration
• Unkempt appearance or poor hygiene
• Discrepancies in financial accounts or missing belongings
• Unexplained or unauthorized financial transactions
• Reluctance to speak openly
• Lack of eye contact or visible depression
• Withdrawal from social contact
• Tattered or bloody clothing or underwear
• Disturbed sleep patterns or nightmares

What Should You Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

If you believe the resident is in a life-threatening situation at a local nursing home or assisted living facility, you should call 911 for emergency assistance.

You have a few options for reporting nursing home abuse in Tulsa. The Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for nursing home residents, and you can reach them online or call (405) 521-2281. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services also investigates incidents of nursing home abuse, and their hotline is 1-800-522-3511.

Talking to our nursing home abuse lawyers can help you evaluate your options and decide on the best route to secure justice for a nursing home resident who has suffered abuse. Contact our Tulsa personal injury lawyer today.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?

Nursing home abuse can severely harm residents in countless ways. A personal injury claim allows abused residents and their families to pursue compensation for various physical, emotional, and financial injuries, including:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Rehabilitation costs
• Future medical care costs
• Loss of companionship and consortium (for family members)
• Wrongful death compensation (if applicable)
• Punitive damages

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Case?

The statute of limitations in Oklahoma typically allows two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. It’s essential to speak with our attorneys immediately if you suspect abuse. The sooner you talk to our lawyers, the more we can do to help you.

Contact a Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

No one should have to suffer abuse in their own home, especially if they live in a nursing home facility. Edwards & Patterson Law can protect your rights and the rights of an abused family member as you pursue justice.

Call us now or reach out online for a free consultation with a Tulsa nursing home abuse lawyer.

Visit Our Tulsa Nursing Home Abuse Law Offices