Selecting an attorney for legal cases is a very important decision. Please enter your information below to receive a Free Consultation from an attorney in your area:
Nursing Home Abuse News
Nursing Homes Asking Residents to Waive Their Legal Rights to Sue For Abuse or Neglect
The need for protection of the elderly against abuse or neglect in nursing homes or other assisted living facilities has resulted in consumer protection laws in many states. Under these laws, the elderly or their families can hold nursing homes responsible if lack of care or abuse results in death or injury.
The number of claims against nursing homes are also increasing. In fact, claims were up from 13.8 per 1,000 beds in 2002 to 15.3 per 1,000 beds in 2003. According to a Harvard University study, among abuse or neglect claims against nursing homes:
over 50% involved wrongful death approximately 45% involved bedsores approximately 30% involved emotional distress Now, nursing homes are asking applicants to waive their right to sue for abuse or neglect and agree to settle any claims in arbitration. In fact, some states do not require nursing homes to carry liability insurance or require only minimal amounts. Liability insurance covers claims brought against a nursing home. In California, 25% of nursing homes do not carry liability insurance. In Arkansas, 103 out of 205 facilites carry no liability insurance.
Please be careful when you are researching prospective nursing homes for yourself or someone you care about. Make sure you know what papers you are signing and what they mean. Watch for nursing homes asking you to waive your legal rights, homes without liability insurance, or homes that have changed hands or have had negative inspections. Once you waive your right to sue, you have very little - if any - legal recourse should an incident of abuse or neglect result in an injury.
There are places to report nursing home abuse.
Make your report to the nursing home’s administrator, director of nursing, or social worker. The state or local ombudsman.The local police or state law enforcement. A protection and advocacy or adult protective services agency. The state survey agency that licenses and certifies nursing homes (often in the Health Department). A citizen advocacy group, or other church or community group that visits regularly.
Newsroom
News about Nursing Home Abuse cases in Alaska and nationwide:
Definition:
An attorney who specializes in the laws that deal with the rights and issues of the health, finances, and well-being of the elderly and the power of other individuals and the government to control them.
Hospice
Definition:
Usually a combination of at-home and hospital care of the terminally ill that combines medical and social services. It is designed to help both the patient and the family. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, symptom management, and emotional support rather than the use of life-sustaining equipment
Senility
Definition:
A term used to refer to the mental and physical deterioration of old age.
If you live in the following cities and need an nursing home attorney you should contact
our Nursing Home Attorney as soon as possible:
Anchorage
Bethel
Chugiak
Eagle River
Fairbanks
Juneau
Kenai
Ketchikan
Kodiak
North Pole
Palmer
Sitka
Soldotna
Wasilla
Legal Disclaimers All attorney listings are a paid attorney advertisement, and do not in any way constitute a referral or endorsement by an approved or authorized lawyer referral service. The information provided on Alaska Nursing Home Lawyer.com is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys
general information related to legal issues commonly encountered. Your access
to and use of this website is subject to additional Terms
and Conditions.
Local Professional? Generate new business today
Call 866-227-9356 or contact a sales rep
Did You Know?