Oklahoma City Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Atkins & Markoff is an Oklahoma law firm with the necessary skill and dedication to represent victims of nursing home abuse, and their families, during an emotionally and physically demanding time. The safety and wellbeing of one’s elders is undeniably important, and Atkins & Markoff is committed to prosecuting the liable parties who fail to give senior citizens the care they deserve.

Oklahoma Nursing Home and Assisted Living Abuse Statistics

According to the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform- Minority Office, there are approximately 17,300 nursing homes in the United States that currently care for 1.6 million residents — a figure expected to quadruple to 6.6 million residents by 2050—and of these nursing homes, 30% of the facilities have been cited for instances of nursing home abuse.

Types of OK Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse can include the use of physical restraints, inappropriate use of sedatives, inappropriate use of urinary catheters, and insufficient exercise, bathing, and/or nutritional meals. Other forms of non-physical abuse can include the lack of social contact or emotional reassurance, misappropriation of a resident’s funds or property, or restriction of phone calls or family visits.

Types of Injuries Suffered in Assisted Living

Types of injuries suffered as the result of nursing home abuse can include bed sores, such as pressure sores, burns, bruises, welts, torn clothing, fractures or broken bones, broken syringes left in arms, malnutrition and/or dehydration, constant sedation, extreme weight loss, and in severe cases, paralysis, coma and wrongful death.

Damages Available from Suing a Nursing Home

Compensation for nursing home abuse victims can include compensation for medical treatment; i.e. first aid, emergency room, hospital, and ambulance costs, future medical treatment for scarring from burns, lacerations, etc., psychological treatment, and compensation for any property damaged as a result of the abuse; i.e. clothing, jewelry, broken eye glasses, etc. Further, the family of a nursing home abuse wrongful death victim may be entitled to substantial compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and damages for pain and suffering.

Liability and Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits

To successfully try a nursing home abuse case, it must be proven to a court of law that the victim’s nursing home residency and applicable staff were responsible for said injuries to the victim, and that the home is liable for damages as the result of the abuse. Initially, however, if you believe that a loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, you must contact the police immediately and have the resident removed from the home as soon as possible to prevent further abuse from occurring. Once the victim is removed from the home in question, it is imperative to contact an experienced Oklahoma nursing home abuse attorney at Atkins & Markoff at once to discuss the litigation options that are available to the victim and the victim’s family.

Oklahoma Statute of Limitations of Senior Abuse

The statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims in the State of Oklahoma is generally two years from the date of injury or wrongful death. However, if the injury is not discovered until a later time; i.e. fractures or burns that were not discovered right away, it is possible that the statute of limitations would be two years from the date the injury is discovered. For further information, contact Atkins & Markoff for a more detailed analysis of your individual claim.

Oklahoma City Elder Abuse Attorney

Sometimes, the very report of nursing home abuse prompts the facility to remove all applicable perpetrators, and to try and compensate the victim in hopes that a lawsuit will not be brought. However, if it is unclear who committed the abuse, or if the nursing home denies any such occurrence and fails to comply with the demand for compensation, a team of medical and legal experts is needed to further investigate the claim and take litigation action.

The Oklahoma City nursing home abuse law firm of Atkins & Markoff has the legal team necessary to try, and win, a nursing home abuse case, and can provide the strong representation and compassionate understanding to a victim of nursing home abuse, and that of their family, every step of the way. Please contact the firm today for a full consultation.

Although nursing home abuse victims cannot always speak up for themselves, they do not have to suffer in silence. The skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at Atkins & Markoff will fight hard to protect the rights of a nursing home abuse victim, and will proudly act as their strong legal advocate. Please contact the firm today for a full consultation regarding your Oklahoma Nursing Home Abuse claim.