Posted by: Kemmy Law Firm
Each year, millions of people over 60 are abused and suffer severe physical, mental, and emotional injuries. There are many different types of elder abuse, each varying in severity. No matter what type of injuries you or a loved one suffers due to nursing home negligence, you have a right to recover from the responsible party.
Elderly individuals who are abused may suffer many damages depending on the type of harm they endure. Damages are losses that may be quantified in a monetary recovery through a personal injury claim. Your losses will be directly related to the type of elder abuse suffered.
According to the National Council on Aging, common types of elder abuse include:
Economic damages are easily quantifiable through proof of out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, damaged property, and other actual costs. Any type of abuse or neglect that requires medical treatment typically results in economic damages. However, financial abuse could also result in economic damages to recover any stolen money.
It’s harder to value non-economic damages because they are not connected to money you have lost. Instead, it includes things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Non-economic damages are most common when an elderly individual has been physically or emotionally abused. That includes sexual abuse, neglect, deprivation, and even wrongful death as well. Financial abuse may not result in non-economic damages in all situations.
If you or a loved one suffer elder abuse, it’s essential to get medical care as soon as possible. The initial medical treatment you receive will establish a baseline for the severity of your injuries. It can also help prove who hurt you and when you were injured.
You should also seek psychological treatment if you suffered mental or emotional harm. You may need help coping with the harm that you have suffered. A licensed counselor or social worker can help guide you through the healing process.
If you suspect abuse or neglect of an elderly individual or person with disabilities, you should file a complaint with the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. They track, investigate, and handle abuse and neglect in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in day activity centers and health service locations. You can call 800-458-9858 to make a report. If someone does not answer your call, they will return your voicemail within one business day.
You can also contact your local Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman. They advocate for residents’ rights and help protect elderly individuals in nursing homes and treatment facilities. You can reach out to them by calling 800-252-2412, and you will be connected to someone in your geographic area.
If you or a loved one was abused in a long-term care facility by a friend or relative, or anyone for that matter, you should immediately contact an elder abuse attorney.
Your attorney knows Texas laws that apply to your specific situation and can help you protect your loved one. You must get them out of the dangerous situation as quickly as possible. An attorney can help you find the resources you need.
Call Kemmy Law Firm today at 210-750-1019 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation of your case. We will compassionately listen to your needs and help you get the best outcome possible.
Get a free consultation. We do not charge up-front fees, and you owe nothing unless you recover compensation.
When you work with us at Kemmy Law Firm, you are working with a family run firm with more than 50 years of combined experience. We are dedicated and successful trial attorneys practicing in West TX, Hobbs, NM, Midland-Odessa, and across the Permian Basin. Our team handles everything from catastrophic injury claims to complex business matters. We are here to fight for you. We dedicate our time and attention to your case and use every resource available to maximize your claim and obtain the best possible outcome.
