Recoverable Damages in a Nursing Home Abuse Case
Damages encompass the physical, emotional, and financial harm inflicted upon the victim due to the abuse or neglect. These adverse consequences can profoundly affect the victim’s quality of life and overall well-being.
A nursing home abuse lawyer from our team will calculate these losses and evaluate any future expenses. We will make sure that no detail is overlooked and that we file a comprehensive case.
Medical Expenses
When elderly residents suffer harm due to abuse or neglect, they often require extensive medical attention, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatments. These medical expenses can accumulate rapidly, placing a significant financial burden on the victim and their family.
Common types of injuries in victims of nursing home abuse or neglect include:
Injuries are the most conspicuous indicators of mistreatment, serving as tangible evidence of the harm suffered by residents. Visible signs such as bruises, fractures, and bedsores often raise immediate red flags. However, it is crucial to recognize that the absence of visible injuries does not negate the possibility of abuse or neglect.
Instances of psychological trauma or neglect-related conditions like malnutrition and dehydration may not manifest in overt physical signs. Subtle indicators such as behavioral changes, withdrawal, or unexplained weight loss can also signal mistreatment.
Pain and Suffering
Elders subjected to mistreatment endure not only the tangible physical pain resulting from injuries but also the intangible psychological suffering. Pain and suffering damages acknowledge and compensate for the profound negative impact on the victim’s overall well-being.
Reviewing medical records and reports detailing injuries, treatments, and the impact on the victim’s health provides crucial evidence. Medical professionals may provide expert testimony on the correlation between the injuries and the emotional distress.
Statements from witnesses, including other residents or family members, can corroborate the victim’s experience and provide additional perspectives on pain and suffering.
Emotional Distress
Elderly residents subjected to abuse or neglect often endure emotional anguish, fear, and psychological trauma that can have lasting effects on their mental well-being. Emotional distress damages compensate victims for the profound emotional toll endured. Signs of emotional distress may manifest as anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or changes in behavior.
Damages for Spinal Cord Injury
Such injuries often occur due to incidents like falls, physical assaults, or inadequate supervision and care. A spinal cord injury not only poses immediate physical challenges but can also lead to long-term complications, including paralysis and a significant reduction in the individual’s overall quality of life.
The consequences extend beyond the physical realm, encompassing emotional distress, financial burdens related to medical treatments, and the need for ongoing care.
Damages for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A TBI may occur due to falls, physical assaults, or inadequate care, and they can have severe and lasting consequences. The injury not only impacts the victim’s health but can also lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and changes in behavior.
If a nursing home resident suffered a severe injury, like a traumatic brain injury, there may be grounds for a lawsuit. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in Valley Grande will review the circumstances of the incident that led to the injury to determine if negligence played a role.
Wrongful Death Damages
In the tragic context of nursing home abuse leading to wrongful death, surviving family members could claim damages. Unlike in other states, where compensatory damages are awarded to compensate for the losses suffered by the decedent’s family members, Alabama awards only punitive damages.
These types of damages punish the defendant and discourage others from engaging in similar dangerous activities. If you are not sure whether you have a valid claim, consult our Valley Grande wrongful death lawyers for a free consultation.
