How Much Is a Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
When a loved one’s care needs exceed the family’s abilities, they choose the best nursing home within their budget, and then take a leap of faith that the administrators and caregivers will live up to their promises and their legal duty of care. Unfortunately, an alarming number of nursing home residents experience abuse from caregivers, staff, and other residents. Nursing home abuse cases include neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation.
Before embarking on a challenging legal process, many nursing home abuse victims wonder what their case is worth and whether pursuing a claim is worthwhile.
Understanding Damages In Nursing Home Abuse Cases
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, the average settlement in these cases is around $400,000; however, some families have recovered as much as $1 million in settlement agreements in nursing home abuse cases.
Although it’s difficult to put a price on an elderly person’s health, well-being, and life, the value of a nursing home abuse case varies widely depending on the extent of the damages in the case. While an attorney familiar with your loved one’s case can give you a more definitive answer as to what you can expect for results under the unique circumstances of your claim, common damages recovered include the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses related to the abuse
- Future medical expenses that are anticipated in the case
- Funeral and burial expenses in nursing home wrongful death cases
- Compensation for a family member’s lost wages if they had to take time away from work
- Compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, catastrophic injury damages, such as permanent disability, diminished quality of life, or loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death benefits to the closest surviving family member of a nursing home resident who died due to abuse
The injured nursing home victim or their loved one can help maximize the amount they recover in their nursing home abuse case by saving copies of all medical bills and receipts for other expenses related to the abuse.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse In Atlanta
It’s crucial to take action the moment you suspect an aging loved one has suffered abuse at the hands of nursing home caregivers. Common signs of nursing home neglect and abuse handled by lawyers for nursing home abuse lawsuits in Atlanta include the following:
- Unexplained injuries, including bruises, abrasions, lacerations, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions to more serious brain injuries
- Sudden weight loss
- Dry, chapped skin and lips
- Torn or bloodied clothing and bedding
- Poor hygiene, unkempt appearance
- Broken personal items, like glasses, dentures, and hearing aids
- Medication mistakes
- Bleeding or bruising around the private parts
- Uneaten meals or untouched drinks left in the room
- Sudden changes in personality, social withdrawal, depression, and reluctance to speak in front of caregivers
- Unexplained financial transactions
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs and symptoms, it’s critical to remove your loved one from the facility and have them undergo a full medical evaluation by a trusted doctor who is not associated with the nursing home.
Contact the Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC
An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer offers a free evaluation of your case. Call a lawyer for your Atlanta injury lawsuit at Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC to learn more about your legal rights and options for financial accountability for the losses, pain, and suffering associated with egregious nursing home abuse cases in Atlanta or the surrounding Georgia region.