Find a Skilled Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
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U.S. News and World Report says Oklahoma has 287 nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. Of these, only 11 have exceptional five-out-five-star ratings.
Sadly, some nursing facilities that claim and promise to deliver “exceptional” senior citizen protection and “compassionate” care for their residents don’t. In some cases, they even intentionally neglect and abuse the older people they supposedly must look after.
If you have an older loved one who’s been a victim of such behaviors in Oklahoma, your next step must be to find a highly experienced nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. The legal experts at BDIW, Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, and Wicker, will share insights into this matter in this guide, so please read on.
When Should You Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Oklahoma?
If you strongly suspect that the nursing home in which your older loved one resides is committing abuse, neglect, or both, there’s a good chance they are. As pointed out by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), elder abuse is common in the U.S., with up to five million older adults victimized yearly.
Please consider enlisting the services of an elder abuse and nursing home rights attorney if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms.
Physical Trauma
Physical trauma refers to any bodily injury or wound resulting from force and impact, which can be due to accidents or violence. They can take the form of:
- Bruises or contusions
- Open wounds (e.g., cuts or lacerations)
- Scratches
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
If your loved one who lives in an Oklahoma nursing home exhibits unexplained signs of physical trauma or whose health has deteriorated (perhaps due to internal organ damage or TBI), please take this as a red flag to hire an elder abuse attorney. Your lawyer can investigate the facility to confirm if your loved one’s injuries or health problems are due to the nursing home’s intentional abuse or neglect.
Rapid and Unexplained Deterioration in Health
Does your loved one:
- Experience dehydration
- Appear malnourished
- Have bedsores
- Suffer from frequent infections
- Have worsening health that doesn’t have to do with pre-existing conditions
If you nodded yes to one or more of the above, they could indicate neglect or inadequate care. It’s imperative to consult with an elder abuse and nursing home neglect lawyer ASAP.
Psychological Trauma
Psychological injuries, such as anxiety or depression, could be a symptom of emotional or psychological abuse. In nursing homes, such problems can arise from staff committing the following against their older residents and patients:
- Verbal insults
- Intimidation
- Humiliation
- Threats
If your loved one appears anxious or depressed recently, please don’t delay speaking to them. Gently ask them to open up and tell them you’ll support them. If they say they’re experiencing the above in the hands of nursing home staff, please take them seriously and have an elder abuse and neglect lawyer investigate the facility.
Financial Exploitation
According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a report found that over one year (ending June 2023), $27 billion in reported suspicious activity involved elder financial exploitation. Your older loved one can be a victim and part of these statistics if the following occurs without apparent reason or explanation:
- Changes in their bank accounts or financial practices
- Withdrawal of large sums of money
- New or additional names on their financial accounts
- Missing ATM cards
- Sudden changes in financial documents and wills
- Disappearing funds or valuable possessions
- Unpaid bills despite having enough funds
If any of the above happens, please consider consulting with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYWhy Should You Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
Hiring an Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyer can help ensure your loved one receives adequate compensation for the injuries, pain, and suffering they’ve experienced due to the abuse or negligence of their senior care facility. With a highly experienced and skilled attorney on your (and your older loved one’s) side, you can rest easy knowing they’ll do everything in their power to:
- Navigate the complex legal processes of suing nursing homes in Oklahoma
- Fight for fair settlements on your and your older loved one’s behalf
- Gather evidence essential to filing the lawsuit and establishing the actions (or inaction) of the nursing facility
- Get the maximum possible compensation your older loved one deserves
- Hold the abusive or negligent nursing home and staff accountable for their actions
With a trustworthy elder abuse and negligence lawyer, your loved one can receive justice and help prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, not just to them but to other senior nursing home residents.
How Do You Find and Choose a Skilled Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
You can start your search by asking for referrals or recommendations from friends or family. Once you have a prospect list, verify each attorney’s licensure and Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) membership. In Oklahoma, all lawyers who practice in the state must be OBA members in good standing.
Just as crucial is to choose a personal injury attorney specializing in nursing home abuse and neglect. Partner with a lawyer with a long and strong track record of handling numerous cases successfully.
A perfect example is BDIW’s very own Attorney Brad Wicker, who gained admission to practice law in Oklahoma 28 years ago (April 1997) and specializes in representing people hurt by others’ actions and negligence, including victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. In addition to the nearly three decades of Brad practicing law, he is also a top-rated attorney, with Super Lawyers having rated and selected him in 2023.
BDIW Is Here to Help
If you suspect that your older loved one is suffering in the hands of an abusive or negligent senior care facility in Oklahoma, please don’t delay enlisting the services of a nursing home abuse lawyer. The sooner you do, the sooner your lawyer can investigate and seek justice for your elderly parent or family member.
Let BDIW, Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, and Wicker, our highly trusted and top-rated law firm in Oklahoma, be your legal partner. Our experienced attorneys have a combined expertise of 65 years handling and winning personal injury cases. Our team will do everything possible to get your family the best possible outcome and compensation.
Reach out today for your free initial consultation!
