It is important to contact a lawyer immediately if you or your loved one is injured in a nursing home. An investigation needs to get underway as soon as possible so the lawyer can evaluate the injury and the evidence to determine who is responsible. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the nursing home, the nursing home administrators, and the director of nursing may all be responsible for the injury. Additionally, you or your loved one may be entitled to punitive damages . Punitive damages are awarded over and above those damages awarded to compensate an injured nursing home resident for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Punitive damages are a punishment for outrageous conduct.
It is also important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible because the statute of limitations requires that a negligence case be filed within two years from the date of the injury. A medical mistake is a form of negligence involving the carelessness of a health-care professional. Many times, nursing home residents are subjected to various medical mistakes. A common form of medical mistake found in a nursing home is overuse or under-use of medication. This may be the result of corporate greed.