Seniors are living longer and longer. While many seniors can live on their own, many older residents of Southeast Washington need help. They look to nursing homes to provide that help in the form of medical care, companionship, and social activities. Nursing homes charge an expensive fee for their services. In return, the residents have the right to expect that the homes will take every precaution necessary to ensure their safety and well-being.
Sadly, many nursing homes in Washington don’t prioritize safety. That’s where Telaré Law helps. Our Richland nursing home lawyers have been fighting for seniors for 25 years. We understand the unique issues involved when nursing homes and staff members fail to protect their residents. Our lawyers recognize the signs of abuse, understand why nursing homes should be held accountable, and demand compensation for any injuries or deaths caused by abuse or neglect. Don’t suffer in silence. Call our offices in the Tri-Cities to discuss your rights and the rights of your loved ones.
According to A Place for Mom, there are numerous nursing homes in Richland and the Tri-Cities region. The median cost for a private room is close to $10,000 a month. The median cost for a semi-private room is more than $9,000 a month. In return for these large payments, nursing homes have a duty to ensure their residents are safe from abuse and neglect.
According to the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), nursing homes must ensure that their residents do not suffer physical, sexual, verbal, or mental abuse. Corporal punishment and involuntary seclusion are prohibited. Residents should also be free from sexual or financial abuse.
Family members and friends need to speak out when seniors show any signs of abuse or neglect. Many seniors are afraid to or can’t speak for themselves. Common signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect include:
Odds are the signs and symptoms of abuse will only worsen if nobody speaks for the senior. Call our Richland personal injury lawyers as soon as you can if you suspect your relative or friend is being harmed.
Aging isn’t easy under normal circumstances. When seniors suffer injuries or setbacks, they need longer amounts of time to recover. At Telaré Law, our Southeast Washington lawyers represent nursing homes residents who suffer:
Since seniors have less time to live, it’s critical that injuries be treated promptly. The best remedy is to ensure that the injuries don’t occur in the first place. Our Richland nursing home lawyers are dedicated to fighting for seniors – to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve, and to help ensure nursing homes take the necessary steps to prevent harm to others.
We file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims on behalf of senior nursing home residents. The defendants may include:
CMS specifically states that nursing homes need to follow specific hiring guidelines. Under § 483.12(a):
The facility must not hire or engage individuals who:
Nursing homes have specific state reporting requirements which would indicate that a specific employee is not fit for service. Nursing homes must develop and implement safety protocols designed to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation of a resident’s property. They must also have procedures to investigate complaints, and specific training procedures.
A failure to comply with these CMS requirements, other federal or state nursing home regulations, or nursing home industry standards is grounds for a personal injury or a wrongful death lawsuit.
In addition to the CMS law, Washington law regulates nursing homes. Washington also has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program that investigates nursing home complaints.
At Telaré Law, our lawyers understand what laws and protocols apply to your loved one’s facility. The best way to compensate nursing home residents and deter future abuse is by filing a legal claim against the negligent nursing home.
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Washington law provides the following rights for nursing home residents. CMS provides similar rights. Residents have the right to:
The residents have the right to receive a list and explanation of their rights – in writing.
Seniors should be able to cherish every year they have left. They deserve full compensation for the harm nursing homes and staff members cause. Our Richland nursing home abuse lawyers demand compensation for the senior’s:
We file wrongful death claims if a close relative died due to nursing home abuse or neglect.
Telaré Law meets clients at our Richland office located at 1321 Columbia Park Trail, Suite B, Richland, WA. We also have an office in Kennewick. We meet with seniors at the nursing home or another convenient location when necessary.
Nursing home abuse is inexcusable. Seniors deserve to live their lives with dignity – not with pain and suffering. At Telaré Law, we fight to hold nursing homes responsible for failing to hire enough quality staff, monitor employee conduct, and respond to complaints. We prepare each case for trial – which is why we are able to settle many claims.
To discuss your rights or the rights of your loved one, call our Richland injury lawyers at (509)-737-8500 or fill out our contact form to arrange a free appointment. We represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect who reside in nursing home facilities in Richland, Pasco, Walla Walla, Pullman, Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville, and all Southeast Washington.