Placing a loved one in the care of a nursing home is a difficult decision, but it is especially heartbreaking when those institutions fail to provide our elderly with the care they deserve. The Albuquerque nursing home abuse attorneys at Parnall Law Firm are passionate about protecting victims of nursing home neglect. The compassionate and seasoned lawyers at our firm have helped hundreds of nursing home negligence victims and their families stand up for their rights and protect their interests. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home negligence, contact Parnall Law Firm today to see how we can help you.
Nursing home negligence is a growing concern across the nation and in our state. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there were 1.4 million nursing home residents in the U.S. at the end of 2011; 6,200 of these residents were in New Mexico. The New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department reported that nearly 3,400 long-term care facility complaints were made to the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program that same year. This number was higher than the national average of 2,622 complaints.
Individuals with loved ones in nursing homes should remain alert for signs of nursing home negligence. These include:
If you suspect a loved one is a victim of physical abuse, it is important that you file a complaint with a long-term care ombudsman as soon as possible, as well as seek the advice of an attorney, such as Parnall Law Firm, immediately.
We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve
A nursing home resident may hold those responsible for their injuries or lack of care legally liable. Nursing homes must provide residents with a safe environment and the level of care they need. To that end, they must adhere to several federal and state regulations. Among the many requirements under federal law, nursing homes must have sufficient nursing staff for their residents, provide the necessary services a resident needs to carry out their daily activities, and ensure that residents are free from any medication errors.
New Mexico also requires nursing homes to provide residents with periodic care from a physician and has certain requirements for its nursing staff, which include having a full-time director and at least one charge nurse on duty at all times. The resident must receive hygienic care, proper nourishment, and care for any bed sores. A resident cannot receive medications, nor can medication be administered, without a physician’s orders. The state also limits the use of physical or chemical restraints on a resident to emergency situations only or under a physician’s direct written orders.
Despite the numerous regulations that apply to nursing homes, many residents become victims of neglect. In some cases, the facility is directly responsible for the negligence; in others, it may be the agency that staffs the facility. No matter which entity is the defendant, a victim has to establish negligence to hold the party liable for their injuries. A victim of nursing home negligence must show that the defendant:
It is important to consult with an attorney experienced in this area to ensure that other possible claims, such as a medical malpractice suit, are also addressed.
If you or an elderly relative is a victim of nursing home negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries or those of your loved one. You may seek to recover the cost of any medical care, rehabilitative treatment, and pain and suffering related to the negligence.
Nursing home neglect can sometimes lead to death. You may have a viable wrongful death claim if your relative died as a result of negligent care at a nursing home.
The Albuquerque nursing home negligence lawyers at Parnall Law Firm stand ready to help you fight against nursing home neglect. Our experienced trial attorneys have represented personal injury victims since 1997. We are committed to providing our clients with compassionate legal counseling and aggressive representation. Call us today at 505-514-0230 or contact us online to arrange an initial consultation at no cost.
Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.
Years of Experience: 27+ years
Justia Profile: Bert Parnall
If you have been involved in a serious accident and sustained significant injuries, you need to consult with an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options. After a serious injury accident, you will need to file a claim and deal with the insurance adjusters. The insurance company will try to minimize the amount it pays out in claims to protect its profit margin. It may deny your claim or offer a settlement that is a fraction of the fair value of the claim. A lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and whether you have a valid personal injury lawsuit.
A lawyer can collect evidence to strengthen your claim and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. A lawyer can push back if an insurer tries to deny your claim or take advantage of you. If the case goes to trial, an experienced personal injury attorney will know how to present your case to jurors to increase your chances of a favorable jury verdict.
Attorney Bert Parnall is a fighter. He and his legal team will fight for your legal rights if you have been injured in an accident due to the negligence of someone else in Albuquerque or anywhere in Central New Mexico.
An experienced personal injury lawyer brings a knowledgeable perspective to the process of negotiating with insurers and settling an injury claim. Based on years of experience handling similar claims, an attorney will have a sense of the fair value of your injury claim. Most accident victims are uncertain what their claim is worth. An attorney will analyze the facts of your case and provide guidance about whether an insurer’s settlement offer is reasonable based on the specifics of your case. If you have never dealt with a claim before, it may be difficult for you to know whether an offer is fair on your own.
The insurance company will have lawyers advising its staff during the settlement process. Having an attorney on your side and looking out for your interests evens the playing field. Insurance companies want to avoid going to court. The insurance company may agree to a higher settlement in order to avoid litigation if you have a lawyer advocating for you. If you do not have legal representation, you will be at a disadvantage in dealing with the insurance company.
You want a lawyer that has years of experience handling cases similar to your case and has a record of verdicts and settlements. Ask the lawyer what percentage of his or her practice involves the practice area that applies to your case. You want an established lawyer who knows the local court system and has the resources and determination to pursue your case to completion.
You want a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable communicating and sharing information. You want a lawyer who will listen to your questions and concerns and offer informative answers. You want a lawyer who will be accessible when you have questions and keep you informed of the status of your case.
You want a lawyer that has good references.
Steer clear of any attorney who promises or guarantees you a settlement or a certain outcome. No lawyer can ethically guarantee a certain result in a case.
To find an attorney, you may ask your friends, relatives or co-workers to recommend a lawyer who they have used. You can also schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney at Parnall Law to get an understanding of your legal options. The consultation will help you clarify your legal options at no charge whether you decide to work with our law firm.
The most common reason to hire a personal injury lawyer is to provide representation after a car crash caused by someone else that resulted in serious injuries. The law allows people who are harmed by others’ negligence to seek compensation. That is an adversarial process. It is helpful to have an experienced injury attorney standing up for you when dealing with an insurance company representing the at-fault party. The insurance company may dismiss or delay your claim if you do not have a personal injury lawyer representing you.
Other reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer include pursuing compensation for injuries caused by unsafe conditions at someone else’s property or protecting a loved one in a nursing home if you suspect your loved one is being subjected to neglect or abuse.
In many instances, people who need legal guidance may have questions about a troubling situation and need a personal injury attorney to investigate the matter and find answers.
Bert Parnall and the team at Parnall Law are available to answer your questions and discuss your legal needs during a free and confidential consultation. The attorneys at Parnall Law have helped thousands of accident victims obtain proper compensation and move forward with their lives.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Bertrand Russell Parnall who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Tell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a Free Evaluation of your Case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.
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Santa Fe, NM 87505
Parnall Law Firm, LLC
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Rio Rancho, NM 87124