What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Negligence in Harlingen

According to some estimates, between one and two million U.S. citizens over the age of 65 have been abused, mistreated, or hurt by a caregiver. It’s hard to know the true scope of the problem, because elder abuse is shockingly underreported—both here in Harlingen and nationwide. In fact, experts estimate that only 1out of every 14incidents of elder abuse are actually reported to the authorities. If you’re wondering what to do if you suspect nursing home negligence in Harlingen, our Harlingen elder abuse lawyers are here to help. Read on to learn about the definition of Harlingen nursing home negligence, choosing the right nursing home negligence lawyer in Harlingen, and more.

According to our Harlingen elder abuse lawyers at Carabin Shaw, nursing home abuse is defined as an intentionally harmful act toward an elderly person living in a nursing home. Nursing home abuse can take many different forms and is not always obvious. Types of abuse include physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as abandonment and neglect.

Nursing home negligence, on the other hand, occurs when a caregiver inflicts harm through neglect or inaction.

If you suspect elder abuse or neglect, it is crucial to act immediately. The first thing you must do is ensure that your loved one is safe.

If you witnessed the abuse firsthand, call 911 and report it to the police. To report suspected abuse taking place in a nursing home, you should contact Harlingen’s local long-term care ombudsman at 956-682-3481 or 800-365-6131. It is the ombudsman’s job to address concerns of nursing home and assisted living facility residents, and they are required to respect the confidentiality of residents in their care. They will investigate your claim and make the necessary changes.

Regardless of the circumstances, you should also make sure to document the signs of Harlingen nursing home negligence or abuse that you have noticed. This documentation will serve as valuable evidence once you have hired an attorney. Written descriptions of the victim’s injuries, changes in behavior, or emotional disturbances—as well as photographs of any visible injuries or witness statements—can greatly help your lawyer.

Finally, consult a qualified attorney and decide your next steps.

In cases involving elder neglect or abuse, it’s important to choose the right lawyer who has the necessary knowledge and experience to win your claim. First, it’s crucial to choose a personal injury lawyer who regularly handles nursing home neglect cases, because these cases are tough for even the best attorneys to win. Next, you’ll want to choose an attorney who has an excellent professional reputation and plenty of satisfied client reviews. And finally, it’s important to choose someone who you can trust.

Here at Carabin Shaw, we are passionate about advocating for victims of nursing home negligence and abuse, and we want to help you. Our talented team has a combined 200 years of legal experience, as well as two decades of experience in handling nursing home neglect claims. We’ve helped thousands of clients over the years, and our firm was named by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the top ten best Texas personal injury firms in 2018 based on client satisfaction.

To schedule your free initial consultation with one of our Harlingen nursing home negligence lawyers, contact our office serving Harlingen at 956-664-7255 today. Don’t wait—call and discover how our Harlingen elder abuse lawyers can help.