DETROIT NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYER

If a nursing home or assisted-living facility fails to meet accepted standards of care, they can be held liable for damages. A few examples of nursing home abuse include:

• Negligence. In Michigan, negligence in a nursing home is defined as the failure to provide adequate medical care, clothing, food, or shelter to a resident. Negligent behavior could include poor or inadequate medical services, not noticing bed sores, or elders becoming malnourished and dehydrated. 
• Abuse. Elders and vulnerable adults are particularly susceptible to abuse, defined as harm or threatened harm to their welfare by another person. Abuse in a nursing home could include striking a resident, using inappropriate restraints, or any other act of physical, mental, or sexual abuse.
• Exploitation. If a caregiver misuses an elder’s property or funds, they could be held liable for exploitation. This can occur when a patient’s money or valuables go missing or if the resident is taken advantage of in some other way for the caregiver’s gain.

Elders and vulnerable adults are sometimes reluctant to report abuse, so it’s important to keep vigilant. Some symptoms of abuse include:

• Bedsores
• Frequent injuries from falls
• Diet issues like hunger, dehydration, or weight loss
• Symptoms of unaddressed medical issues like withdrawal, depression, lethargy, or lack of alertness
• Unexplained bruises or other injuries
• Unclean living conditions
• Unexplained changes in medical condition
• Missing money or valuables

If a nursing home is found to have committed abuse, Michigan law states that victims can sue for damages that include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Decreased quality of life
• Lost support and companionship of a loved one
• Pain and suffering

Michigan law has multiple statutes of limitations for nursing home abuse cases. Most negligence and injury cases have a three-year statute of limitations, while malpractice and lawsuits seeking pain and suffering compensation must be filed within two years. 

If you think you have a case, don’t delay. Get in touch with a Greater Detroit area attorney to help you navigate these complicated rules.

If we take your case, our first priority will be to ensure the abuse stops and report it to the Michigan authorities. Your attorney will also research to see if your case would be appropriate for a lawsuit. For the worst cases, your lawyer may seek punitive damages to punish the facility and make sure the abuse doesn’t happen again to anyone else.

Elder abuse is a tragedy. If you or someone you love is a victim, you can fight for justice. Morgan & Morgan has the experience and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve — and you pay nothing unless you win. To find out more, fill out our free, no-obligation case evaluation form and one of our lawyers will contact you.