Did a nursing home caregiver in Tacoma, WA, abuse you or a loved one? Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer is ready to fight for compensation. Call (253) 264-0225 to schedule a free consultation and learn how an experienced Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can help you fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Over the years, our attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. We’re prepared to put over 30 years of experience in personal injury law to work for your family.
The nursing home has violated your trust in a major way. To learn more about how we can help you fight for justice, call our Tacoma personal injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle My Tacoma Nursing Home Abuse Case in Tacoma, WA?
You trusted the nursing home to keep your loved one safe in Tacoma, Washington. Instead, they were the source of unforgivable harm and trauma.
You deserve the most aggressive legal representation possible. Our founding attorney at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer is a nationally recognized trial lawyer. We’ve gone up against some of the most powerful corporations out there, and we’re known for winning to the tune of more than one billion dollars.
Our Tacoma personal injury lawyers are regularly recognized by Super Lawyers for our superior legal services. We don’t just aim for success. Success is the standard in every case we take on.
When you hire our Tacoma nursing home abuse attorneys, the defendant will take notice. Insurance companies and their defense teams know our reputation and won’t be inclined to offer a lowball deal.
Are you ready to learn more about how we can help you fight for the full compensation you deserve? Call us today to set up a time to discuss your case.
What Are the Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse?
Physical abuse probably comes to mind first when someone considers the term “nursing home abuse. Any type of physical violence is unacceptable. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are sometimes subject to hitting, kicking, slapping, and other types of physical abuse.
Nursing home residents are also vulnerable to many other types of abuse, including:
- Emotional abuse, where a caregiver intentionally inflicts emotional pain by humiliation, threats, harassment, name-calling, and even forced isolation
- Sexual abuse, whether a caregiver has forced a resident to engage in sex, forced a resident to witness sexual activity, or otherwise forced unwanted sexual contact or behavior
- Financial abuse, where a caregiver exploits the resident’s vulnerable position to steal the victim’s property or identity, force changes to a will or financial account beneficiary designation, or even changes the victim’s access to their hard-earned money or property
- Nursing home neglect, where a caregiver ignores their responsibilities and fails to provide for the resident’s basic needs, thereby greatly increasing the risk of injury and harm
We handle all types of nursing home abuse cases. Contact our law firm in Tacoma for legal advice today if you or your loved one has been a victim of abuse.
What Are Some Warning Signals That My Loved One Has Been a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is widely unreported. Many residents face cognitive challenges and other health issues.
These challenges can make it difficult for them to communicate. Other victims may not fully understand that they’ve been abused, or remember whether they’ve reported the abuse to a loved one.
Some warning signs of abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Frequent trips to the emergency room
- Repeated falls under similar conditions
- Fear of being left alone with a caregiver
- Fear of speaking around a caregiver
- Changes in mood or personality
- Seeming depressed or withdrawn
- Regressive behaviors, such as self-hugging, rocking, etc.
- Unexplained financial transactions
- Poor hygiene
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bedsores and pressure ulcers
The signs to watch for will depend on the nature of the abuse and the victim’s unique situation. Anything unusual can be a sign that your loved one is being exploited or abused.
We know that reporting the abuse can be difficult unless you’re certain. If you suspect abuse, give us a call today. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your options.
What Is My Tacoma Nursing Home Abuse Case Worth?
The value of any personal injury case depends on its unique facts, including:
- The severity of the harm involved
- The nature of the at-fault party’s acts
- Whether the victim will recover fully or suffer long-term harm
- The mental pain and trauma the victim experiences
When you hire our attorneys in Tacoma, you can count on us to put the full weight of our resources to work. We have teams of experts to call upon to clarify complex issues in your case. Once we finish our investigation, we’ll be ready to demand the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse in Tacoma?
Damages in Washington personal injury cases are divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for direct financial losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Relocation costs
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage and restitution for victims of financial exploitation
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address your loved one’s personal losses and their pain and suffering.
Examples may include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Fear and shame
- PTSD
- Depression
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
- Reduced life expectancy
- Loss of consortium
Your family has been through a difficult trauma. Our lawyers are prepared to help you document your losses, assess their value and fight for every dollar you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle My Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
Our team at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer operates on a contingency fee basis.
In sum, that means:
- We won’t charge any upfront fees.
- You never pay unless we win.
- When we recover compensation, we deduct a percentage to cover our attorneys’ fees.
- You’ll sign an agreement that specifies that percentage when you hire us.
Typically, our fees range between 33% and 40%, depending on the complexity of the case and the likelihood that a trial will be necessary.
Nursing Home Abuse Often Leaves Victims Struggling With Painful and Long-Term Injuries in Tacoma, WA
Nursing home residents are vulnerable to all types of physical injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Bed sores
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Blood clots
- Stroke
- Organ damage and organ failure
- Paralysis and other catastrophic injuries
- Severe infections, which can lead to sepsis and shock
Victims of financial abuse often suffer from long-term financial instability. All victims of nursing home abuse are likely to struggle with ongoing mental health issues, including fear, depression, and anxiety.
If your loved one was harmed, you can count on our Washington nursing home abuse attorneys to fight for a compensation package that fully accounts for the harm you have suffered.
What Are the Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse in Tacoma?
Nursing home abuse can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Failing to conduct proper background checks or negligent hiring
- Lack of supervision
- Understaffing
- Inadequate funding
- Drug or alcohol use
- Ignoring state safety regulations
When you hire our lawyers, we’ll start searching for evidence to prove your case right away. The sooner we start, the better, so reach out for a free case review today.
How Do I Prove My Family Deserves Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse in Washington?
Nursing home is an intentional criminal act. The perpetrator can be subject to criminal penalties. They can also be held accountable in civil court for their intentional tort.
In these cases, you must prove they committed the abusive acts by a “preponderance of the evidence standard.”
That said, other parties may be responsible for allowing the abuse to continue. Nursing homes themselves have a duty to keep residents safe and provide the care they deserve. For example, they can be held liable for failing to adopt effective procedures to prevent abuse. They can also be held vicariously liable for the acts of their employees.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After Nursing Home Abuse in Washington?
The statute of limitations in Washington state law typically gives you three years to file a lawsuit. The three-year clock usually starts running on the date the injury or harm occurred. In nursing home abuse cases, the relevant date is often the date you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the harm.
Contact Our Tacoma Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a family member is struggling in the aftermath of nursing home abuse, reach out to our attorneys at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer today. An experienced Tacoma nursing home abuse lawyer can help your family fight for justice. Call today to schedule a free consultation about your situation.