Kansas City Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
We Speak Up for Those Who Cannot Speak for Themselves
With over 38,000 seniors living in Missouri nursing homes and over 18,000 in Kansas nursing homes, we would all like to believe their basic needs and medical care are well taken care of.
Sadly, the reality is that nursing home abuse and negligence are some of the most prevalent and underreported forms of abuse in the United States. Those responsible for abuse and neglect must be held accountable for their actions.
If your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted care facility and you believe they may be suffering from abuse or neglect, contact our Kansas City nursing home abuse attorneys immediately. We’ll listen to your concerns and investigate your claims. Your loved ones should be kept safe when in the care of others, and we’ll hold anyone who breaches this trust accountable.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We are a contingency-based law firm, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Call (816) 888-7500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
Know the Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take a few different forms. Most commonly, elders report experiencing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. While physical abuse is the most common, everyone should be alert for anything that threatens the safety of their loved ones.
Different types of abuse will result in different symptoms, making it difficult to detect. However, a common theme among victims of abuse is a change in behavior. Someone dealing with an abusive or negligent situation is likely to behave differently, so watch for anything out of the ordinary.
Speak to a trustworthy Kansas City nursing home injury lawyer today for assistance.
Emotional or Verbal Abuse
- Mood swings
- Unexplained changes in behavior
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Depression
Physical Abuse
- Unexplained injuries
- Bruises, especially on wrists and ankles
- Burn marks
- Welts
- Changes in behavior
Sexual Abuse
- Physical injuries, especially near the hip, thigh, or genital area
- Difficult sitting or moving
- Unexplained STDs or infections
- Stained or torn underwear
- Fear of being touched
- Memory loss
Neglect
- Malnutrition
- Bed sores and ulcers
- Dehydration
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain
- Medication errors
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Poor personal hygiene
- Sudden loss of mobility
Financial Exploitation
- Unexplained financial changes
- Missing funds
- Changes to wills, power of attorney, property titles, or life insurance policies
- New credit cards
- Unusual ATM withdrawals
In any abusive situation, the victim might be reluctant to speak in the presence of their abuser, or they may express a fear of being left alone with them. They might also grow worried or frantic when you leave or show signs of agitation. Make sure to watch out for these signs if you suspect abuse.
Our Kansas City nursing home neglect attorneys are here to help you and your loved one. If you are anxious about your loved one’s living situation, reach out to us for help.
Who Can I Hold Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?
Our nursing home neglect lawyers, investigators, and medical record specialists are here to investigate your case. We want to make sure the right party is being held responsible for the heinous actions against your family member.
In most cases, we find the most responsible parties for nursing home abuse include:
- Nurses: Nurses can be held liable if they fail to provide proper medical care, such as making medication errors or inadequately monitoring residents. They can also be responsible for neglecting residents’ basic needs, like hygiene, nutrition, or mobility assistance, or if they participate in or fail to report instances of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse.
- Additional Staff: Additional staff members can be liable if they neglect their duties in personal care, such as failing to assist with daily activities or maintain cleanliness. They may also be responsible if they engage in or contribute to abuse or if they fail to report signs of abuse or unsafe conditions to supervisors.
- Nursing Home Facility: The nursing home facility itself can be held accountable for abuse or neglect if it is understaffed or hires unqualified personnel, resulting in inadequate care for residents. Liability can also arise if the facility fails to provide a safe and sanitary environment or does not properly train and supervise employees.
- Management and Ownership: Management and ownership can be liable if they create a culture of neglect by prioritizing profits over resident care. They are responsible for enforcing policies that prevent abuse and neglect, and if they ignore complaints or warning signs of abuse without taking corrective action, they can also be held accountable.
Call (816) 888-7500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
What Should I Do If I Suspect Abuse?
Nursing home residents should be taken care of. That means their medical, physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being should be respected. When these are taken advantage of, we owe it to our loved ones to hold the abusers accountable.
If a Loved One Is in Immediate Danger, Call 911!
Here is contact information for some Missouri and Kansas agencies that may be able to help you with your situation:
- Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS): Licenses and regulates long-term care facilities; investigates abuse, neglect, and inadequate care. Call 1-800-842-0078.
- Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Advocates for long-term care residents, investigating and resolving complaints.
- Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: Investigates Medicaid fraud by healthcare providers and prosecutes individuals exploiting the system.
- Adult Protective Services (APS) Kansas: Handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation reports for vulnerable adults, providing intervention for those unable to protect themselves.
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): Investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Call the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210.
Mistreatment or harm related to a nursing home needs to be addressed immediately. The first step is to remove the person from immediate danger and report any and all incidents.
The next step is to retain a lawyer for nursing home neglect and abuse who will tirelessly pursue actions against the staff members and facility that allowed the abuse to happen.
DM Injury Law is prepared to take this fight on your behalf. With a proven track record of success and a dedication to providing all of our clients with the high-quality representation they deserve, our Kansas City nursing home abuse lawyers will protect your interests without compromise.
How Long Do I Have to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Missouri and Kansas?
- Missouri: You have 5 years to report nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
- Kansas: You have 2 years to report nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
What Compensation Can I Seek for Nursing Home Abuse?
Navigating a nursing home abuse and neglect case can be challenging. Since the abuse can extend to and beyond physical, mental, and financial, it can be difficult to determine just how much is owed.
That’s why it’s beneficial to hire an attorney for nursing home abuse in Kansas City. A lawyer can fight for the maximum settlement that you are owed. In the past, we’ve been able to secure economic and non-economic damages, including:
Economic Damages
- Current and future medical bills
- Rehab and therapy
- Long-term care
- Lost wages and stolen funds
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial costs (if the accident resulted in wrongful death)
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Anxiety and depression
- Loss of independence
We’ll Protect Your Loved One’s Rights
You do not have to face this traumatic experience alone. It can be hard to come forward with abuse or neglect claims. However, our attorneys are ready to listen to your story and understand your circumstances.
Our team approaches every case with empathy, allowing you to be honest with your concerns and hopes. Contact our nursing home abuse law firm in Kansas City to schedule a free consultation. We are a contingency-fee-based firm, meaning you don’t pay us unless your case is won.
Call (816) 888-7500 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
Past results obtained on behalf of clients afford no guarantee of future results, and every case is different and must be judged based on its own merits.
