Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Washington, D.C.

By law, all elders are protected against abuse in the District of Columbia, and those who live in nursing homes are specifically entitled to the following rights:

• The right to privacy, and to be treated with respect and dignity
• The right to manage their personal finances
• The right to be free from chemical or physical restraints
• The right to be free from mental and physical abuse

While the mistreatment of elders can take many forms, in Washington, D.C. there are three specific categories that are defined as elder abuse by law:

• Abuse: Nursing home residents are specifically protected against abuse from their caregivers, which includes actual or threatened violence, infliction of pain, the imposition of unreasonable confinement, deprivation of food or shelter, and sexual abuse.
• Exploitation: Elders are protected against the unlawful appropriation of their property by caregivers. By law, property is defined as anything of value, including land, personal property, services, credit, debt, and government-issued benefits.
• Neglect: The residents of nursing homes are protected against all forms of neglect, including the careless infliction of injury, the failure to protect against abuse, the careless imposition of unreasonable confinement, and the careless deprivation of food, shelter, or healthcare.

Elder abuse is an underreported crime, with many victims too embarrassed or confused to come forward. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, be on the lookout for these symptoms of potential abuse or neglect:

• Sudden changes in behavior or personality
• Unexplained injuries such as cuts, scars, bruises, or bed sores
• Changes in health
• Poor hygiene
• Unexplained weight loss
• Arguments or tension with caregivers
• Unexplained financial changes

The abuse or neglect of elders is a serious crime. Victims can be entitled to compensation for multiple damages, including:

• Present and future medical expenses
• Physical or mental impairment
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death

In any elder abuse case, the first step is to stop the abuse. If we take your case, we will ensure all abuse, neglect, and exploitation ends immediately, and we will report all instances of abuse to Washington, D.C. authorities.

We will then work to hold the appropriate parties accountable for their actions, seeking full and fair compensation (including punitive damages, when applicable) for any abuse and neglect that has occurred.

If you are a victim of elder abuse, or you suspect a loved one might be, you don’t have to go at it alone. Contact our Morgan & Morgan to learn more.

Complete our free, no-obligation case evaluation form and an attorney will contact you.

Disclaimer: Cases may be referred to and handled by another law firm as referral counsel.