Older adults deserve to spend their golden years with dignity and in comfort. In fact, this is the basic proposition of the entire nursing home industry. Yet far too often, these well-paid facilities fail in their obligations to the residents in their care, subjecting them to neglect, abuse, and even abandonment. If this has happened to your loved one in Hinds County, you undoubtedly want to secure justice and accountability on their behalf. Williams Newman Williams wants to help.

Our firm has won over 300 cases involving nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, and elder exploitation. Such a track record has made us the most-referred law firm in Mississippi for these high-stakes claims. With millions of dollars recovered for clients and their families, we’ve earned a reputation for securing the maximum compensation when those procedures are violated.

Contact us now to speak with a compassionate Hinds County nursing home abuse lawyer during a free, fully confidential consultation. We will listen to your concerns, explain how to file a nursing home complaint in Mississippi, and discuss what we can do to assert your loved one’s rights.

Why Choose WNW for Your Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect/Abandonment Case?

When it comes to who to hire as your Hinds County nursing home abuse attorney, your choice is clear: the elder law firm that has become the state’s most-referred firm for elder abuse cases. The following are a few reasons why you should turn to WNW:

• Our Experience – We have won more than 300 cases involving nursing home abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Our lawyers have comprehensive knowledge of nursing home regulations in Mississippi and how these facilities should be run. This insight helps us identify violations that less-experienced firms might overlook.
• Our Trial-Ready Approach – Even though nursing home neglect cases settle well before trial, we prepare every elder abuse case as though it will head directly to court. This level of preparation provides our lawyers with the necessary tools to negotiate from a position of strength from the start.
• Our Resources – We have access to a network of investigators and expert witnesses who help us build airtight cases. Our law firm knows that success depends on paying attention to seemingly minor details, which is why we dedicate the resources to uncovering the truth, no matter how challenging the case may be.
• Our Compassion – Partners and spouses Paul and Courtney Williams care deeply about their clients and what they are going through. As parents and caregivers for older family members, they bring a grounded, real-world perspective to the cases they handle because they know that success is not optional. Our firm puts care, concern, and protection at the forefront of everything we do.
• Our Local Knowledge – As the state’s most-referred firm for elder abuse claims, we are very familiar with the courts where these cases play out, including the Hinds County Circuit Court in Jackson. We are familiar with the judges who may hear your case, and we know the arguments that local juries will find particularly compelling.
• Our Communication – We prioritize real conversations, particularly at the very beginning. This helps us better understand our clients’ needs and concerns, enabling us to represent them effectively. Should you choose to work with us, you can expect regular updates and prompt, plain-English answers to your questions.

We know that the cost of hiring an experienced attorney is often a major concern for potential clients, which is why we offer our services on a contingency basis. This arrangement means our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover on your case. Simply stated, if we do not win, you do not pay us, so there are no risks to you and nothing to lose.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our compassionate elder law attorneys, and let us discuss your concerns in detail.

What Are Typical Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

One of the best ways you can protect your elderly loved one is by learning to recognize the common signs of nursing home abuse. These include the following:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, fractures, or other injuries
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, or signs of hunger
• Poor hygiene, dirty rooms, and unsanitary living conditions
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers) or infections that could indicate inadequate care
• Withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, or sudden changes in behavior
• Staff refusing to allow private visits or discouraging family involvement
• Missing personal belongings, unexplained financial transactions, or other signs of financial exploitation
• Overmedication, excessive sedation, or changes in medication without a clear medical explanation

Contact WNW immediately if you notice any of these warning signs of abuse or neglect in nursing homes. We can investigate the situation and pursue justice on your loved one’s behalf.

How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect in Mississippi?

Nursing home abuse and neglect are unfortunately common in Mississippi. According to ProPublica’s review of data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, more than three-quarters of the 202 reviewed facilities in Mississippi had infection-related deficiencies in one recent year. More than a quarter had serious deficiencies, defined as hazards that put residents at serious risk of injury or illness. Here in Hinds County, six of the nine reviewed homes had infection-related deficiencies, and four had serious deficiencies.

Furthermore, a report published by Mississippi’s Administration of Community Living found that nearly 2,000 individuals suffered maltreatment in nursing facilities in a single recent year. Case data reveals the following:

• 33.7 percent suffered from neglect
• 8.2 percent suffered from financial exploitation
• 7.8 percent suffered from physical abuse
• 7.4 percent suffered from emotional abuse
• 0.8 percent suffered from sexual abuse
• 0.5 percent suffered from abandonment

What Are Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse and neglect take many different forms, of which the following are the most common.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse in a nursing home is the intentional infliction of bodily harm or physical pain upon a resident. It occurs when someone deliberately uses force against a resident in a manner that causes injury, suffering, or impairment, or creates a substantial risk of such harm. Examples include the following:

• Striking, slapping, punching, or kicking a resident
• Using physical restraints without medical necessity or proper authorization
• Force-feeding or physically coercing a resident to eat, drink, or take medication
• Intentionally causing pain or discomfort as punishment, intimidation, or retaliation

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse involves conduct that causes psychological distress, fear, humiliation, or emotional suffering to a resident. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse may not leave visible injuries, but it can have serious effects on a resident’s mental health and overall quality of life. Examples include the following:

• Yelling at, insulting, or belittling a resident
• Threatening a resident with punishment or abandonment
• Humiliating or mocking a resident in front of others
• Intentionally isolating a resident from social activities or visitors

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves subjecting a resident to any form of non-consensual sexual contact, activity, or exploitation. It is especially pernicious as residents may have physical, cognitive, or medical conditions that affect their ability to resist the abuse or communicate it to other caregivers. Examples of sexual abuse include the following:

• Unwanted touching of a resident’s intimate body parts
• Coerced nudity
• Forcing, coercing, or manipulating a resident into sexual activity
• Sexual assault or rape
• Compelling a resident to view or discuss sexually explicit material or sexual acts

Neglect/Abandonment

Neglect and abandonment are failures to meet a resident’s basic needs. Neglect may be intentional or result from understaffing, inadequate training, or poor supervision. Abandonment is a particularly severe form of neglect that involves the desertion of a resident by a caregiver or facility personnel who has assumed responsibility for the resident’s care. Examples of abandonment and neglect include the following:

• Failing to provide adequate food, water, or medicine
• Not assisting residents with hygiene needs
• Ignoring medical conditions or delaying necessary treatment
• Leaving a resident unattended when it is not safe to do so

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is the improper use, control, or acquisition of a resident’s money, property, or assets. Residents may be particularly vulnerable to this form of abuse if they have physical or cognitive impairments. Examples include the following:

• Stealing items from a resident
• Using a resident’s finances without authorization
• Forging a resident’s signature on checks or legal documents
• Coercing or manipulating a resident into changing a will or power of attorney
• Charging for services that were never provided or overbilling a resident
• Pressuring a resident to make gifts, loans, or financial transfers for another person’s benefit

Who Could Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?

Many different parties could be liable for elder abuse in a nursing home setting, including the following:

• The individual medical professionals or staff members who abused or neglected the resident
• The nursing home that did not adequately supervise abusive staffers or encouraged a climate of cruelty or neglect
• Corporate owners that violated regulations or otherwise put their profits above the people in their care
• Contractors who worked on-site and used their access to residents to abuse them
• Other nursing home residents who took part in the abuse, either solely or in concert with staff

What Compensation Could You Pursue for Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect?

A successful lawsuit could recover elder abuse compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses from treating the abuse
• Costs associated with moving to a new, safer facility
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical injuries and emotional distress
• Compensation for diminished quality of life or loss of enjoyment of life
• Recovery of stolen or misappropriated funds and property

How Long Do You Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Mississippi?

Mississippi state law includes a nursing home abuse statute of limitations that sets a three-year time limit on filing an elder abuse lawsuit. If you file suit after this window has closed, the court will likely dismiss your case, which means you and your family will receive nothing. Protect your loved one and their right to compensation by contacting WNW right away. The sooner you do, the sooner we can begin working on your case, gather evidence, and file a compelling argument before the deadline.

What Can a Lawyer Do for Your Nursing Home Abuse Case?

A Mississippi elder abuse lawyer with WNW can handle every aspect of your nursing home abuse case for you, including the following:

• Independently investigating your suspicions to determine if your loved one has been the subject of abuse or neglect
• Reporting poor care in the nursing home to the proper authorities
• Communicating with the care facility and their insurers so that you do not have to
• Helping your loved one move to a safe home
• Calculating the full value of your loved one’s case to pursue maximum compensation on their behalf
• Preparing the case for trial from the start to improve our bargaining position and be ready for court as necessary
• Negotiating aggressively for fair compensation through an out-of-court settlement
• Going to trial if that becomes the best way to recover the full value of your loved one’s case
• Communicating clearly and proactively throughout the duration of the case and supporting your family during this challenging time

Contact WNW today so that we can review your case and explain your legal options.

How Do You Report Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?

If you are wondering how to report nursing home neglect or abuse, there are several options available to you. In an emergency, contact local police for immediate help. In other circumstances, you can alert the Mississippi State Department of Health and the state’s Division of Aging & Adult Services. Mississippi’s Attorney General also has an online portal for reporting abuse.

What Is the Mississippi Adult Care Home Residents’ Bill of Rights?

Rule 83.11.10 of Section 43-11-13 of the Mississippi Codes is often called the Mississippi Adult Care Home Residents’ Bill of Rights because it guarantees the following rights to every resident of a nursing care facility in the state:

• To receive treatment with consideration, kindness, respect, and full recognition of their dignity and individuality
• To manage their own financial affairs or receive a regular accounting of any financial transactions handled on their behalf
• To communicate freely with people of their choice and receive mail
• To keep personal belongings
• To attend religious services or other activities they choose
• To be free from requirements to perform work for the facility
• To be free from the use of physical or chemical restraints as a means of being confined against their will
• To voice grievances about their care
• To participate in decisions about their own care plans

If the facility where your loved one lives has violated any of these rights, contact WNW immediately for help addressing this wrong.

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Hinds County Today

Do you suspect or have evidence that a family member is a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse? The attorneys at WNW are prepared to hear your story, conduct a comprehensive investigation, and hold the liable parties accountable for their actions. Our firm has a proven track record of successfully handling elder abuse claims throughout Mississippi, and we are ready to do the same for your family, no matter how complex or difficult your case may be.

Contact us today if you believe your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in their care facility. An experienced and compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer in Hinds County can discuss your concerns with you during a free, no-obligation consultation. Your case review is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.

When You Need a Win, turn to WNW.