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Nursing home injuries are among the least reported crimes against the elderly. In fact, 84% of abuse cases go unreported – and unusual nursing home deaths may not be investigated by medical examiners or law enforcement officials. Those deaths may be attributed to old age or illness.
Experienced Rhode Island Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
The attorneys at Gemma Law Associates have represented many victims of nursing home injuries throughout Rhode Island, including Providence, Newport, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Bristol, and Woonsocket. Contact us today. Call toll-free or submit an online contact form.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Rhode Island, call 401.467.2300
Institutional Abuse: You’re Protected By The Law
Nursing home residents are protected by law against what is known as “institutional abuse.” But those laws are ineffective if the crimes are never reported. Why are authorities not called in when abuse occurs? There are several reasons. Nursing home residents are vulnerable; they rely on staff members for their daily needs, and they are often frightened of the consequences if they report abuse.
Also, patients suffering from dementia or other health issues may be incapable of communicating the abuse. Finally, the abuser may try to explain away the injuries as inevitable signs of aging, claiming the nursing home resident tripped on their walker or that bruises are a sign of poor circulation, etc.
Rhode Island Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
Nursing home injuries can occur in multiple forms:
Physical abuse: Nursing Home Abuse
– Direct infliction of pain or injury, including sexual abuse.
Misuse of restraints: Nursing Home Abuse in Rhode Island
– Using physical restraints in such a way that injury occurs. This is often explained as a necessary method for “calming” the resident or “preventing them from hurting themselves.”
Physical neglect at a Rhode Island Nursing Home
– Disregard for the necessities of daily living such as food, water, bathing, and basic care. This can result in serious injuries. Bedsores that become infected or severely dehydrated can cause significant and unnecessary suffering.
Medical neglect: Rhode Island Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
– Failing to provide medical care, ignoring a necessary medical diet, neglecting to call a physician when necessary, or not paying attention to the potential side effects of a patient’s medication. A common cold can quickly become pneumonia in an elderly person, and medical neglect can have dire consequences.
Verbal/emotional neglect: Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
– Disregarding residents’ wishes or restricting contact with family and friends. The latter often enables nursing home staff to conceal signs of abuse. If the abuser is a family member or visitor, ignoring the resident’s requests for protection may contribute to further injury.
The attorneys at Gemma Law Associates have represented many Rhode Island victims of nursing home injuries. Based on our experience, we have learned that family and friends are often the first line of defense. If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, one of the most important things you can do is to watch for signs of potential injury:
- Mysterious bruises or lacerations that a reasonable medical cause cannot explain.
- Lack of cleanliness in your loved one’s appearance, the condition of his or her room, or the facility overall.
- A change in demeanor that isn’t the result of failing health or mental state. For example, if a loved one is afraid of certain staff members or patients, that could be a warning sign of abuse.
- Failure of the staff to notice medical issues and summon proper medical care.
If you suspect a nursing home injury from abuse or neglect, document everything. Write down names, dates, and details about the injury. Discuss your concerns with the administration or staff – but if the institution fails to address the situation immediately, contact the attorneys at Gemma Law Associates.
We will properly investigate your claim and work with qualified medical experts to evaluate questionable care. As your attorney, we can advocate for your loved one or family and prepare an effective case strategy to hold the institution accountable. We can help obtain appropriate financial compensation for the harm that your loved one has suffered.
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Contact Gemma Law For Help With your Rhode Island Nursing Abuse Claim
In our four decades of legal experience, we’ve learned how to deal effectively with nursing home institutions and their insurance companies – and we are committed to protecting the rights of the elderly.
If you believe you may have a case of nursing home neglect or abuse, contact Gemma Law Associates toll-free or submit an online contact form. We’ve been helping clients in Rhode Island for more than 45 years – and we can help you.
Serving the Greater Providence metro area, including Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, North Providence, South Kingston, Coventry, Cumberland, Woonsocket, and East Providence.
Gemma law is the best and helped and guided me threw everything … highly recommended thank you so much
ellen almgren2023-02-095 stars all the way. They did exactly what was expected. Good Job
Keith Ruggiero2023-02-04Very efficient and very good with communicating with me. I received updates about my case without having to call and request them. Very good law office! Very satisfied.
Bethania Herrera2023-01-19Mark Gemma has been absolutely amazing. He was helpful and answered all concerns and questions I’ve had. Him and his team are beyond incredible, supportive, and sweet. I would like to thank them all for everything they’ve done.
Samantha Argus2023-01-19very professional and honest, what I liked the most is whenever you call the lawyer returns your call with every concern I had. It was my first time and I would not hesitate to trust them again.
Diana Palacio2023-01-17This team is extremely helpful and kind. Mark Gemma was a great help in guiding me through this whole process and was a huge help. I would recommend this team to anyone seeking legal counsel
Zachary Dustin2023-01-16I am so happy with the turnout of my case. Both Sarah and Peter kept me up to date on everything and worked very hard on my case. The whole staff is friendly and diligent with their work. 100% recommend!
Chelsie Abatiello2022-12-28Managed to get my money before Christmas...in just days after settling! Great communication and always helped with my needs, and always gave good advice. Would definitely recommend.
Trini Luckey2022-12-23Always professional and always checking in on their clients. Excellent atmosphere.
Susan Hallam2022-12-17After spending 8 hours in a hospital overnight to get stitches in my lip because of a drunk driver’s negligent decision to get behind the wheel, the last thing I wanted to do was think about it all. I sent an email to Gemma Law, and Mark Gemma quickly called me back with an empathetic approach to listening to my story and helping me figure out the next steps. When he told me I wouldn’t have to have any contact with the insurance companies, I was HOOKED! When he pointed out how unfortunate it was I might have to miss out on a lip modeling career from a potential scar from the stitches, I was SOLD! And when I finally received my settlement check after letting him do all the leg work while I just focused on recovering, I was and am eternally GRATEFUL! Mark Gemma helped me turn a near death experience into a new start in life and I highly recommend him to anybody needing a personal injury lawyer.
Angie Sherman2022-12-07
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