Nursing Home Injuries and Abuse Lawyer in Houston
If Your Loved One Has Been Abused or Neglected, Find out How the Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Firm Can Help
If your elderly loved one is living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want to be confident that they are receiving the best care.
Unfortunately, not all care centers live up to this standard, and abuse and neglect are too common. If you suspect that your loved one is being mistreated, it is important to take action right away.
Our Houston nursing home abuse attorney can help. We have extensive experience handling nursing home abuse cases, and will fight to hold responsible parties accountable and seek financial compensation.
We understand how difficult this situation can be, but we will be here for you every step of the way.
If someone you love has been abused or harmed in a Houston nursing home or assisted care facility, it’s important to know your rights and the rights of your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 713-973-8888. We're here to help.
How the Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Firm Can Help Right Now
Take Immediate Action to Protect Your Loved One from Abuse
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a nursing home injury or abuse, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do next. Fortunately, an experienced and compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer in Houston can help you navigate the legal process and stand up to abusive nursing homes. We will seek compensation for any abuse, cruelty, mistreatment, exploitation, or neglect – physical, mental, or emotional.
The following are a few ways that we can help right now to pursue a successful outcome in your case:
- If Your Loved One is in Immediate Danger, Call 911
- Schedule a Free Consultation with Attorney Terry Bryant. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Attorney, I have represented many clients abused or injured in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Texas. We invite you to come to my office for a confidential consultation and to see if we are a good fit for you and your family. The consultation is completely free, with no obligation.
We will answer your questions and explain your rights under Texas nursing home abuse laws. If necessary, we will help your loved one transfer to a safer nursing home.
- We Will Gather Evidence. After our initial consultation, we will thoroughly review the case and determine the extent of the injuries and abuse. We will collect the incident and police reports and interview witnesses and nursing home staff. We will review surveillance videos, photos, and the facility's policies and procedures. In addition, we will obtain all relevant medical records.
- We Will Pursue Damages. We will try to negotiate a settlement with the nursing home to cover your medical expenses and other damages, such as future medical expenses, the cost of transferring to another nursing home, pain and suffering, and, potentially, punitive damages. We will be prepared to file a lawsuit on your behalf if a settlement cannot be reached.
- In the Event of Death. If your loved one died due to abuse or negligence in a Texas nursing home, you may be able to file what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation for wrongful death allows for recovery of funeral expenses and burial costs in addition to other damages mentioned above.
Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for my clients, and obtain the compensation you and your loved ones need to restore peace, security, and comfort to your lives.
Nursing home abuse can be physical or emotional, and it can devastate people’s lives. Contact our Houston nursing home injury attorney at 713-973-8888 to learn how we can help.
Why Hire The Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law Firm?
The Promises We Make and Keep to Our Clients
The nursing home abuse attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law are committed to always putting clients first. We understand that when clients come to us for help they put their trust in us.
That is why we believe that the best way to provide effective legal representation is to be honest and transparent with our clients, and to be available to answer any questions and address any concerns they may have.
We also believe that fighting for the best possible outcome in every case is the best way to show our clients that we are on their side. We promise to return phone calls within 1 business day. We promise to keep our clients informed of the progress of their case.
How Can a Nursing Home Be Negligent?
The health and safety of nursing home residents should be of the utmost importance of any nursing home. Unfortunately, nursing home negligence puts residents at risk. Nursing homes have a duty to provide their residents with a safe and clean environment, but some nursing homes are negligent in this regard, which can lead to various problems. The following are some ways that nursing homes can be negligent:
- Failing to properly train staff. This can result in untrained employees who are unable to provide adequate care for residents.
- An understaffed nursing home. Understaffing can lead to employees being overworked and unable to provide quality care.
- Negligent hiring. Negligent hiring occurs when an employer fails to properly vet a potential employee and, as a result, hires someone who is not qualified for the job or who presents a danger to others. This can be a serious problem in nursing homes where the safety of others is at stake.
In a nursing home or assisted care facility, it is essential that all employees be properly trained and have no history of abuse or negligence. Unfortunately, due to the high demand for workers in this field, some nursing homes cut corners during the hiring process. As a result, they may end up hiring someone who abuses or neglects a resident.
Failing to maintain the facility. This can include allowing the building to become dirty or deteriorating, creating hazardous conditions for residents.
If you suspect that a nursing home is being negligent, you may consider reporting any abuse, neglect, or exploitation so that proper action can be taken.
Answers to Frequently Asked Nursing Home Abuse Questions
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are all too common in Texas. Every year, many residents suffer from preventable health problems because they do not receive the care they need.
What is Considered Nursing Home Abuse in Texas?
The State of Texas defines abuse as, “the negligent or willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical or emotional harm or pain.” Nursing home abuse can include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual assault
- Financial exploitation
- Emotional abuse.
What are Some Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is often hidden from view, making it difficult to identify and address. However, there are some common signs of nursing home abuse that family members and caregivers should be aware of, including:
- Bruises
- Injuries
- Bedsores
- Illness
- Welts
- Cuts
- Refusing visitors
- Lack of communication
- Unusual changes in behavior
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Sudden changes in weight or appearance.
What is Considered Nursing Home Neglect in Texas?
Nursing home neglect can happen . . .
- When residents are not given enough to eat or drink
- When residents are not bathed or cleaned
- When they are not given their medication
- When their medical needs are ignored
- When residents are left in dirty or dangerous conditions
- When they are left alone for long periods of time.
What is Considered Nursing Home Exploitation in Texas?
Exploitation is financial abuse by illegally or improperly taking resources or money belonging to an elderly or disabled person for monetary gain or personal benefit without consent. Nursing home exploitation can include:
- Stealing debit or credit cards
- Taking SSI or disability checks
- Forging signatures on documents
- Withdrawing money from a checking or savings account
- Making changes to a will
- Overcharging for services
- Forcing someone to sign a Power of Attorney.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for Nursing Home Abuse in Texas?
According to Texas law, generally speaking, the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit involving an injury from nursing home abuse in Texas is two years from the date the abuse happened. This is also referred to as the “statute of limitations.” There are some exceptions, especially if a death occurred as a result of the abuse. (*Always speak directly to an attorney to learn the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)
What does it mean to be Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law?
Clients get the highest quality legal services when working with Board Certified lawyers. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization established by The Supreme Court of Texas certifies lawyers who have extensive, significant experience in select areas of law.
In addition to completing hours of continuing legal education in a specialty area, board-certified attorneys must pass a difficult exam to receive certification.
Nursing home neglect is a tragedy that affects thousands of older adults each year in Texas. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it’s important to be vigilant and to make sure that they are receiving the care they need, but if harm should come to a loved one in a Texas nursing home, contact our nursing home abuse attorneys today for counsel and advice by calling 713-973-8888 today.
Reach Out to a Houston Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
We promise to always be there for our clients and counsel them when they need us. We are confident that these promises will help us build strong relationships with our clients that are essential to our success.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, it's important to know that you are not alone. Contact us today for a free consultation, at 713-973-8888, and let us help you take the first step toward healing.