Louisville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse attorneys Louisville has trusted for over 40 years

Elder abuse is a serious problem, but unfortunately, much of it goes undetected. Older adults often feel powerless to stop the abuse or even to vocalize what’s happened. Sometimes, due to a declining mental state, a nursing home resident is not even aware of the abuse.

If you suspect your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the Louisville nursing home abuse lawyers at Hughes & Coleman can help you and your family through this time and ensure that the nursing home or assisted living facility is held responsible for their negligence or abuse.

For over 40 years, our team of Louisville personal injury lawyers has been dedicated to advocating for the rights of abused and neglected nursing home residents in Kentucky. Let us secure the compensation your family is entitled to.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, call our legal team for a free consultation today.

CALL NOW

800-800-4600

Get it done.

Contact Personal Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

Nursing home abuse and neglect statistics

If you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Louisville nursing home, it’s important to know you’re not alone.

The World Health Organization reports that approximately 1 in 6 individuals aged 60 or older have experienced some form of abuse in community-based services. Additionally, 2 out of 3 staff surveyed by WHO admitted to committing abuse in the past year. In 2012, 85% of nursing facilities reported at least one allegation of abuse or neglect to OIG.

A recent study by the National Council on Aging reveals that up to five million older Americans are abused annually, with victims of financial abuse facing an estimated annual loss of at least $36.5 billion. Those who have suffered abuse face a 300% higher risk of death compared to non-abused elders. Shockingly, it’s estimated that only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported to authorities.

If your family member was abused in a nursing home, it’s important to seek legal assistance immediately. Experienced attorneys can help ensure that the responsible party is held accountable.

Louisville nursing home abuse laws

Nursing home facilities are legally required to ensure the well-being of their residents. This includes taking care of their physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs. A nursing home should provide sufficient medical attention, supervision, nutritious meals, a safe living environment, and engaging activities. The Kentucky Nursing Home Resident’s Bill of Rights state law mandates that nursing homes follow specific guidelines:

• The facility must treat each resident with respect, dignity, and care, ensuring their quality of life is maintained or improved while acknowledging their individuality. It’s also responsible for protecting and advocating for residents’ rights.
• The facility must ensure that all residents have equal access to high-quality care, regardless of their diagnosis, the severity of their condition, or how they pay for it.
• The facility must have consistent policies and procedures for transferring, discharging, and providing services under the State plan for all residents, regardless of how they pay.
• Residents have the right to be free from interference, coercion, discrimination, and retaliation from the facility when exercising their rights.
• Residents have the right to be informed about and participate in their treatment, including decisions related to their medical condition, attending physician, and care.

If a nursing home in Louisville fails to meet the standards outlined in the Resident’s Bill of Rights, it can be held legally accountable for any harm or damage caused to a resident as a result.

When a facility engages, either knowingly or unknowingly, in nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, a Louisville nursing home abuse attorney can seek substantial compensation for the damages they’ve caused. Personal injury cases should be handled by an attorney that has extensive experience handling Kentucky nursing home abuse cases.

Lee Coleman

ATTORNEY, MANAGING PARTNER, & CO-FOUNDER

Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he co-founded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown for over 40 years, and we currently have over 30 attorneys and multiple offices across Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as an affiliate firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mr. Coleman’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named as a Kentucky Super Lawyer in Personal Injury since 2012, and being awarded an AV Rating, the highest rating given, by the nation’s preeminent Attorney Rating service, Martindale- Hubbell®.

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

What are the types of nursing home abuse?

Physical abuse within nursing homes is any intentional application of physical force resulting in harm or injury to a resident. While physical contact is sometimes necessary in assisted living facilities, caregivers must never handle a resident more roughly than is needed to ensure the safety of both parties in a given situation. For instance, a caregiver might need to physically restrain a confused resident who is lashing out, but they must do so in a gentle and non-violent way.

This type of nursing home abuse may involve:

• Hitting, Slapping, or Pushing: Staff members or caregivers may strike a resident, leading to bruises, cuts, or other physical injuries. Pushing or shoving a resident can also precipitate falls or injuries.
• Improper Use of Restraints: Inappropriately using physical restraints like straps or belts to limit a resident’s movement can cause physical discomfort, injury, or emotional distress.
• Rough Handling: Mishandling a resident during routine care tasks such as bathing, dressing, or transferring them can cause physical harm. Incorrect lifting techniques may result in muscle strains, fractures, or other injuries.
• Force-Feeding or Medication Misuse: Compelling a resident to consume food or medication against their wishes or administering incorrect dosages can lead to physical discomfort, illness, or injury.
• Inadequate Care: Neglecting to provide essential medical attention, including disregarding health concerns, wounds, or infections, can exacerbate health issues and cause unnecessary physical harm.

What to look for to identify the common signs of physical abuse in a nursing home

• Unexplained physical injuries (e.g., cuts, bruises, broken bones)
• Bruises on thighs or inner arms, indicating excessive restraint
• Frequent unexplained illnesses
• Pain or sensitivity to touch
• Sudden lack of control of bodily functions
• Medication changes
• Fear or nervousness

What is considered Emotional Abuse for a nursing home resident?

Emotional abuse within a nursing home can be described as any behavior that humiliates, demeans, or intentionally upsets a nursing home resident.Caregivers have a duty to treat the older adults under their care with respect and dignity.

This type of mistreatment can be subtle and may not result in physical evidence, yet its consequences can be profound. Examples include:

• Verbal Abuse: This encompasses shouting, insulting, humiliating, or using derogatory language towards a resident. Caregivers may employ threats or derogatory remarks that undermine a resident’s self-esteem.
• Intimidation or Threats: Staff members or caregivers might intimidate a resident through menacing gestures, intimidating behavior, or verbal threats, fostering an environment of fear and emotional turmoil.
• Isolation or Neglect: Purposely isolating a resident by withholding social interaction, communication, or intentionally ignoring their needs can evoke feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and despair.
• Manipulation or Gaslighting: Caregivers may manipulate a resident by distorting the truth, denying events, or causing doubt about their memory or perception of reality, leading to confusion and distress.
• Humiliation and Disparagement: Ridiculing, mocking, or diminishing a resident’s abilities, appearance, or cognitive functions can profoundly impact their self-worth and mental health.
• Emotional Neglect: Ignoring a resident’s emotional needs, disregarding their concerns, or failing to provide emotional support can induce feelings of abandonment and isolation.

Andrew Coleman

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY, PARTNER

Andrew graduated from law school in 2017, completed and passed the Kentucky Bar Examination, and then launched his career as a lawyer working at Hughes & Coleman. In his years as an attorney, he has witnessed the underhanded tactics insurance companies use to coerce injured victims into taking a lower settlement than they deserve. Far too often, the initial insurance offer barely accounts for the personal loss that a client currently feels, and it certainly doesn’t project or account for the additional loss they will have to manage for the remainder of their life.

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

What to look for to identify the common signs of emotional abuse in a nursing home

• Unexplained changes in personality (e.g., anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of activities)
• Excessive shyness
• Fear around a particular caregiver
• Trembling or shaking
• Disorientation
• Crying or emotional outbursts

What is considered Neglect for a nursing home resident?

If a caregiver fails to feed, bathe, or clothe a resident, or does not ensure they take their medicine at the proper times, they can be liable for neglect. Nursing home caregivers are responsible for meeting the needs of their residents.  Examples include:

• Basic Needs Neglect: Failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or a clean environment.
• Personal Hygiene Neglect: Neglecting to assist a resident with bathing, grooming, oral care, or changing clothes, leading to poor hygiene.
• Medical Negligence: Failing to provide necessary medical treatment, medication, or medical care for a resident’s health conditions.
• Emotional or Social Neglect: Ignoring a resident’s emotional needs, such as companionship, social interaction, or mental health support.
• Hydration and Nutrition Neglect: Not ensuring each resident receives enough fluids or nutritious meals, leading to dehydration or malnutrition.
• Safety Neglect: Neglecting to address safety hazards or failing to provide adequate supervision, leading to accidents or injuries.
• Personal Safety Neglect: Not ensuring each resident’s safety in terms of protection from abuse, harassment, or exploitation.
• Medical Equipment Neglect: Failing to maintain or provide necessary medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or walking aids, leading to discomfort or immobility.

What to look for to identify the common signs of neglect in a nursing home

• Hunger or malnutrition
• Dehydration or extreme thirst
• Unkempt or disheveled appearance
• Excessive bodily odor
• Dirty, torn, or ill-fitting clothing
• Unexplained and unintentional weight loss
• Bedsores
• Unsanitary living space
• Spoiled, moldy, or otherwise inedible food

What is considered Financial Abuse for a nursing home resident?

Financial abuse happens when a caregiver uses deceitful tactics to get money from a resident. This could mean outright stealing, or it could be more subtle deception, such as asking for gifts or to be added as an authorized user on a credit card. Additional examples of financial abuse may include:

• Unauthorized Use of Funds: Staff members or caregivers using a resident’s funds or financial resources without consent for personal gain.
• Identity Theft: Stealing a resident’s personal information, such as social security number or bank account details, to commit fraud or access financial accounts.
• Coercion or Undue Influence: Pressuring or manipulating a resident into making financial decisions against their will, such as changing a will or granting power of attorney.
• Forgery or Fraud: Falsifying documents or signatures to access a resident’s financial assets or property without their knowledge or consent.
• Misuse of Power of Attorney: Abusing authority granted through a power of attorney to mismanage or steal a resident’s finances.
• Overcharging for Services: Charging excessive fees for services rendered or billing for services not provided.
• Exploitation of Assets: Taking advantage of a resident’s assets, such as real estate or investments, for personal gain without their consent.
• Unauthorized Access to Financial Accounts: Gaining access to a resident’s bank accounts or credit cards without permission and using them for personal expenses.
• Scams or Financial Schemes: Conning or tricking a resident into giving money or assets through deceptive practices or fraudulent schemes.

Ben Coleman

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY, DIRECTOR: NURSING HOME LITIGATION DEPARTMENT

At Hughes & Coleman, Benjamin utilizes his desire for helping others to fight for the results his clients need. He understands that when someone is injured due to the negligence of another, their life can be turned upside down. Day in and day out, he maintains excitement for his future as a personal injury attorney and his ability to serve his community alongside the rest of his Hughes & Coleman family. Being able to see first-hand the passion his father and younger brother have for helping others and getting to work side by side with them is the highlight of Benjamin’s career.

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

What to look for to identify the common signs of financial abuse in a nursing home

• Unexplained bank or credit card charges
• Unexplained ATM fees
• Changes to a will or trust
• Unpaid or unexplained bills
• Missing money or personal belongings

What is considered Sexual Abuse for a nursing home resident?

Sexual abuse in nursing homes refers to any form of non-consensual sexual contact or behavior directed toward a resident. This represents a deeply distressing and violating form of abuse, which may include:

• Unwanted Physical Contact: Any inappropriate touching of a resident’s body.
• Forced Sexual Engagement: Pressuring or compelling a resident to participate in inappropriate activities.
• Sexual Harassment: Making unwelcome advances, suggestive remarks, or gestures toward a resident, creating an environment that feels hostile or uncomfortable.
• Exposure to Explicit Material: Displaying explicit content to a resident can cause emotional distress and is considered a form of abuse.
• Exploitation of Vulnerability: Taking advantage of a resident’s cognitive or physical limitations to engage in activities without their full understanding or consent.

What to look for to identify the signs of sexual abuse in a nursing home:

• Injuries to the genital region
• Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Resistance to bathing or changing
• Heightened fear in the presence of a specific caregiver
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

What to do if you suspect your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse in Louisville

If you suspect your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, you should act immediately, even if you are not sure or you have no proof of your suspicions. It is better to be wrong if you suspect abuse than to stay silent and later discover that your suspicions were correct.

Call 911. First, and most important, call 911 right away if you have any reason to believe that your loved one or another nursing home resident is in immediate danger.

Report Your Concerns. Next, take your concerns directly to the manager or supervisor of the person you suspect is responsible. If that person is a manager or supervisor, then go directly to the owner of the facility. It’s important that you witness this report being entered into your family member’s record. If you suspect the owner is also complicit, then skip this step and file a police report.

After you do that, report your suspicions to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Adult Protection Branch. You can reach the branch at 1-800-752-6200 and they will investigate your complaint.

You should also report nursing home abuse cases to the Office of the Inspector General.

Get your loved one the medical care they need. Prioritize your loved one’s health by arranging proper medical care. This includes scheduling appointments with healthcare providers and seeking treatment for any abuse-related injuries or health issues they may have. Medical records can also help in a nursing home abuse lawsuit by serving as evidence of abuse or neglect.

Gather evidence. Gather as much information as you can about the abuse or neglect. Write down a detailed description of what happened, including the name and address of the facility, the date and time of the incident(s), what type of abuse occurred, the name of the person responsible, and if there were any witnesses present. This information will be helpful for reporting and investigating the situation effectively.

Call a Louisville Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer. Finally, contact a Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer at Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers to discuss your options for filing an personal injury lawsuit. Our Louisville personal injury attorneys have helped Louisville nursing home abuse and neglect victims and their families hold their abusers liable for over 40 years.

Contact us today at 800-800-4600 to speak with our legal team

What compensation can a nursing home abuse lawyer pursue?

Damages that a nursing home abuse lawyers in Louisville can seek for abuse and nursing home neglect can include:

• Costs of medical treatment for injuries resulting from abuse or neglect
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental suffering
• Punitive damages for extreme negligence or intentional harm
• Compensation for permanent disabilities or injuries sustained
• Damages for wrongful death if abuse or neglect resulted in fatality

Every nursing home abuse case is different. After learning about your claim, a personal injury lawyer can determine what negligence took place or lead to injuries, and what damages to seek on your loved one’s behalf from all negligent parties.

Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer near you

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team is here to help injury victims in the Louisville area get their lives back by fighting for the compensation they deserve. Our Louisville nursing home abuse lawyers have a long and successful track record of handling nursing home abuse cases and want to put our experience to work for you.

Call, chat or fill out a form today. We also have three locations conveniently located in Louisville, KY that you’re welcome to visit.

For a free consultation, call our office at 800-800-4600

Truck Accident

$12 Million

initially offered: ZERO

Our team secured a $12 million jury verdict for a man severely injured by a negligent commercial truck driver in Nashville, TN. The insurance company initially denied the claim, then later offered $50,000.

Jury Verdict Alert

$6.7 Million

initially offered: ZERO

Our team secured a jury verdict for our client injured by a negligent tow truck company. The insurer initially denied liability, later offering $1 million in policy limits. We rejected it and convinced the jury to award our client $6,700,000.

Head-On Collision

$349,500

initially offered: $40,000

The Hughes & Coleman team was able to secure a $349,500 settlement for a Kentucky client injured in a head-on collision. The settlement was over eight times the original offer from the insurance company, $40,000.

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

John Crisp

Top notch firm. Christina Martin and Mariana Goff have been awesome. Always super nice and both explain every question in detail, so believe me when I say if you’re in a wreck, please don’t try to go it alone.

Brittany Bentley

I cannot recommend Hughes & Coleman and their team highly enough. After my auto accident, I was overwhelmed, in pain, and unsure of what to do next. From the very first consultation, they were compassionate, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable.

View More Reviews on Google.