When an elderly loved one begins needing around-the-clock care, they and their families have to trust that the nursing home will deliver the skilled, compassionate care we want for them. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for nursing home caregivers and administrators to violate their legal duty of care to vulnerable nursing home residents. In the worst cases, nursing home neglect and abuse cause serious harm and the wrongful death of an elder who should have been comfortable and well-cared for during their final days.
If your elderly family member died due to the negligence or wrongful actions of the nursing home you trusted with their care, contact Knapp & Roberts to speak with a Glendale nursing home wrongful death lawyer about your legal options for justice and accountability.
Contact Knapp & Roberts
Glendale Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawyer
If nursing home neglect or abuse in Glendale caused the wrongful death of your loved one, our trial attorneys can help. Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choosing Knapp & Roberts Might be Right for Your Glendale Nursing Home Wrongful Death Case
The legal team at Knapp & Roberts has been dedicated to advocating for catastrophic injury victims and the family members of wrongful death victims for over 30 years, including in Glendale nursing home wrongful death claims. With our team behind your case, you can expect the following:
- A free, confidential consultation with a compassionate attorney and contingency-based payment, so you pay nothing until after we’ve obtained compensation for your family through a settlement or court award
- Our commitment to professional excellence and open availability means you’re included and informed on the progress of your claim
- We will personalize a strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case with the goal of obtaining the maximum settlement available to you
Our reputation in the legal community and track record of success put a powerful voice behind your case. Our recent results include a $45.5 million jury verdict in a group home wrongful death case, and an $11 million recovery for a client in an assisted living facility neglect and wrongful death claim.
What Types of Abuse and Neglect Cause Nursing Home Wrongful Deaths In Glendale?
According to Adult Protective Services (APS) in Arizona, there were 41,654 new reports of alleged nursing home abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Arizona in a single recent year. APS accepted 84% of these reported allegations as meeting the state’s criteria for investigation. The following types of nursing home abuse sometimes cause wrongful death:
- Neglect, such as failing to provide adequate nutrition, hydration, appropriate medications, personal hygiene, supervision, social stimulation, and prompt medical care for infections, injuries, and illnesses
- Physical abuse, including hitting, shoving, kicking, punching, and other physical assaults, or using unlawful physical restraints
- Emotional abuse, or berating, belittling, yelling, name-calling, mocking, threatening, intimidating, or intentionally isolating a resident
- Sexual abuse, or any unwanted sexual touching or penetration
- Financial abuse, or making unauthorized transactions in a resident’s accounts, stealing personal items, or using a resident’s home or car
While it may seem that emotional or financial abuse cannot cause wrongful death, these forms of elder abuse can lead to a resident’s cognitive and physical decline, self-harm, and even suicide.
What are the Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse In Glendale, AZ?
When you have a vulnerable loved one in a nursing home in Glendale or elsewhere, it’s crucial to recognize common signs of abuse or neglect. By recognizing these signs before permanent harm occurs, a family member may be able to avert disaster; however, it may also be beneficial to note these symptoms in hindsight when filing a wrongful death claim after a grievous tragedy occurs. Common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include the following:
- Unexplained bruises, lacerations, fractures, or other injuries
- Torn or bloodied clothing and bedding
- Broken or missing personal items, such as glasses, dentures, or hearing aids
- Sudden weight loss
- Dry, cracked skin and lips
- Poor hygiene, unkempt appearance, and unclean room
- Untreated or infected bedsores
- Missed medications or overmedication
- Signs of physical restraints, such as chafing on the wrists
- Broken or missing mobility equipment
A family member who notices any of these warning signs leading up to a loved one’s passing should immediately contact authorities and have a Glendale nursing home abuse lawyer secure the facility’s internal care logs to determine if systemic neglect occurred.
Who Can File a Nursing Home Wrongful Death Claim in Glendale?
Arizona’s tort law limits wrongful death claimants only to close, surviving family members. This prevents distant relatives from coming forward to make a claim when they did not sustain any economic damages from the loss. Under Arizona 12-542, the state limits wrongful death claimants to the decedent’s spouse, parent, or child. If none of those file a claim, then the representative of the decedent’s estate may file a claim on behalf of the estate.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim In Arizona?
Each state sets specific time limits for personal injury and wrongful death claims. In Arizona, claimants generally have up to two years from the date of death to file a claim. These statutes of limitations help ensure evidence remains available, and eyewitness testimony stays reliable during the investigation, negotiations with an insurance company, and if the case goes to trial. The statute of limitations refers to the time limit for filing a lawsuit petition in court; however, insurers also follow Arizona’s statute of limitations for wrongful death and other personal injury claims.
Only under specific circumstances does the state extend (toll) the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. For instance, if there is a delay in determining that the death was caused by abuse or neglect, the two-year time limit may begin on the date of discovery. Also, if the closest surviving family member is a minor when the death occurred, the state begins the two-year statute of limitations on the minor’s 18th birthday.
Contact a Glendale Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawyer From Knapp & Roberts
Nursing home administrators and their powerful insurance companies often rally together to dispute fault and liability in wrongful death claims. Obtaining the full value of a nursing home wrongful death claim takes compelling evidence, careful adherence to filing details, and assertive negotiations with insurers. A minority of cases go to trial.
You need strong legal representation working tirelessly on your family’s behalf to recover the compensation and sense of justice your loved one and your family deserve. Call or contact a nursing home wrongful death lawyer from Knapp & Roberts to learn about your legal right to financial accountability.