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West Virginia Elder/Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

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In the state of West Virginia , there are roughly 13,000 people living in approximately 140 nursing homes. Unfortunately, in West Virginia as across the United States, nursing home abuse is on the rise. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that more than 50% of America's 18,000+ nursing homes are understaffed. This leads to stress and frustration among staff members who are already involved in delicate and stressful situations as caregivers. This can lead to elder/nursing home abuse, which occurs in roughly 30% of all nursing homes across America. In the span of 24 months alone there were more than 9,000 instances of abuse reported across America.

Elder/nursing home abuse presents itself in many different forms ranging from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse to malnutrition, financial exploitation, and pure neglect. If you have made the difficult decision to place a family member in a nursing home, you and your family member shouldn't have to suffer through any type of neglect or abuse at the hands of a caregiver or even other residents. If you suspect that someone you love has been abused or mistreated in a nursing home, suffered any kind of abuse in a nursing home, or suffered any type of abuse at the hands of another resident, you should contact a West Virginia elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney.

A recent case involved a West Virginia nursing home employee who stole the identity of a resident there and charged more than $2,000 to the resident's account. She was fined and ordered to pay restitution, but it's cases like this that illustrate how vulnerable nursing home residents are.

All facilities have the obligation to protect the rights of every single resident that they take care of, including an attractive, clean, and healthy environment. They are also obligated to treat them equally, with no discrimination pertaining to the race, religion, color, nationality, ability or source of payment. Nursing home facilities are required by federal law to have policies written out in a the Nursing Home Resident's Bill of Rights, which they are also required to make available to any resident who requests them. This document will explain the policies of the specific nursing home, and there must be a signed statement that indicates one has read and understood the rights before admittance. Specific rights include the right to be informed about your specific medical condition and treatment, the right to participate in planning your care and medical treatment, the right to choose your own physician, the right to manage personal finances, the right to privacy, dignity, and respect, the right to personal possessions, the right to be free from restraints and abuse in nursing homes, the right to voice grievance without retaliation, the right to be discharged or transferred only for medical reasons, and the rights of access.

A West Virginia elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will offer a free nursing home abuse consultation where they will evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and assess any damages they feel you are entitled to as a result of any abuse or neglect caused by a West Virginia nursing home. A West Virginia elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will also be well-versed in West Virginia nursing home abuse laws, so they will be well-equipped to argue (and win) your case.

If you are ready to contact a West Virginia elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association website. The site features a lawyer locater search function that can help you locate a West Virginia elder/nursing home abuse lawyer. Access to the site and the lawyer locater is free.