Oklahoma City Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Nursing homes are meant to be havens of safety and respite for those who cannot take care of themselves due to age or health conditions. Oklahoma City sees many of these cases, often due to staffing shortages across many OKC area facilities, from Moore to Midwest City. If your senior loved one might be a victim of nursing home abuse, it is vital that you speak with an Oklahoma City nursing home abuse lawyer about pursuing compensation.

Since 2014, the attorneys at Fulmer Sill have been working together to secure compensation and justice alike for their clients. Our firm has a firm understanding of the OKC area court system, so we know how to approach these cases. Our advocacy can afford you and your family the greatest chance at a favorable outcome. Allow us to fight for your rights after suffering physical injuries, emotional torment, or other acts of mistreatment.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Oklahoma City

In 2017, it was noted that about 1.2 million senior individuals needed nursing home care. By 2030, that number is expected to increase to 1.9 million. In Oklahoma, the Nursing Home Care Act allows the residents of nursing homes or their guardians to file a legal claim against the facility if they violate their residents’ rights.

If your loved one is residing at one of these facilities, knowing the signs of nursing home abuse can be vital. The moment you think your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect by the very people who have sworn to care for them, you need to speak with an attorney. Fulmer Sill can review any evidence or signs of abuse and explain your legal options.

In Oklahoma City, the most common forms of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical abuse. In many nursing homes across OKC, physical abuse is an unfortunate and common occurrence. If your loved one has any unexplainable cuts, open wounds, burns, welts, bruises, or areas of strange skin discoloration, they may be suffering from physical abuse. They may also show sudden weight loss, mood swings, changes in their behavior, and poor personal hygiene.
• Sexual abuse. When an individual cannot give their consent to a sexual act, any act that occurs can be considered sexual abuse. This can be especially true for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other such conditions, as they cannot give their consent. It is estimated that 71,000 people aged 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s in Oklahoma. Signs of this abuse might include unexplainable injuries in sensitive areas or bleeding.
• Emotional abuse. If your senior loved one is suffering from emotional abuse at their OKC nursing home, they deserve justice and compensation. Telltale signs of emotional nursing home abuse can include becoming withdrawn, suffering sudden changes in behavior, mood swings, being diagnosed with depression or anxiety, becoming withdrawn or isolating themselves, or lacking self-worth or self-esteem.
• Financial abuse. When individuals are shifted into life at a nursing home, there is always the risk that they may suffer some kind of financial abuse. This happens when there is an illegal or improper use of the elder person’s funds or assets without their permission. Signs might include unexplained changes in finances or sudden losses that the senior may not wish to discuss.
• Neglect. In nursing homes, it is not uncommon for an elderly individual to suffer neglect. This might not occur out of malicious intent or actions, but rather because a facility is short-staffed. This, however, does not make the neglect any less terrible. Common signs of nursing home neglect can include dehydration, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and bedsores. They may beg for food or have soiled bedding or clothes.

If your senior loved one is suffering abuse at their nursing home, either from other residents, caregivers, or those who come to visit them, it is vital that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible. They may be entitled to compensation, and you and your family deserve justice.

FAQs

What Damages Can Be Recovered in an OKC Nursing Home Abuse Claim?

Depending on the nature and severity of the abuse, a nursing home abuse claim can recover several kinds of damages. These include:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Attorney fees
• Emotional or mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death damages if the abuse led to the victim’s death

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Abuse Claims in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you have a certain timeframe in which to file a nursing home abuse claim. This is known as a statute of limitations. It begins the moment you first discover signs of whatever kind of abuse your loved one is suffering. In this state, the statute of limitations is currently two years. If you pass this deadline without filing, you will lose your chance to recover compensation for your damages.

Who Might Be at a Higher Risk for Nursing Home Abuse in OKC?

Several risk factors can cause one individual to become more susceptible to nursing home abuse than others. First, more elderly women suffer abuse at their places of residence than men do. Additionally, patients who deal with dementia or other memory issues are more often victimized due to their inability to report their situation.

Can Medical Malpractice Happen in a Nursing Home?

Yes, medical malpractice can occur in a nursing home in OKC. Examples of medical malpractice inside a nursing home might include:

• The mismanagement of medication
• Not providing residents with correct or adequate medical treatment
• Not caring for residents’ basic needs, such as changing their bedding or clothing, causing them to suffer from infected bedsores

Speak With a Compassionate Team of Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in OKC Today

If your loved one, who currently resides in one of the many nursing home facilities scattered around OKC, is suffering from abuse, justice needs to be served. At Fulmer Sill, we can fight for your loved one and be their advocate against the abuse they endured. We can take on every aspect of the case, no matter what it entails. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule your initial consultation.