Ottawa Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers
As Canada’s population continues to age, care for the elderly has become a topic of increasing importance and focus. Elderly people face specific challenges that can be accompanied by a host of complex legal issues including mental capacity, health care, mobility, estate planning, and power of attorney. These matters are often inter-dependent and involve many legal and factual nuances that are specific to an older individual.
At Tierney Stauffer LLP, we handle all types of elder law and nursing home negligence cases. Our personal injury lawyers have spent over 35 years seeking justice for victims of nursing home neglect, and we have witnessed firsthand some of the perils that elderly people face in care facilities. We provide our clients with exceptional legal guidance throughout the lifespan of their matter.
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are intended to provide a safe and compassionate environment for your loved one to live in the latter stages of their life. Unfortunately, improper care of elderly and/or incapacitated residents is a commonly occurring issue in many facilities across Canada.
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to abuse and/or neglect because they may be suffering from debilitating physical and mental health conditions and their families often live far away. In addition, nursing homes and long-term care facilities may be understaffed, underfunded, or inadequately managed, resulting in overworked and harried staff who may be not capable of providing the appropriate standard of care to their patients.
Some common nursing home neglect injuries include:
- Pressure sores;
- Bruises;
- Lesions;
- Ulcers;
- Broken bones;
- Poor hygiene; and
- Malnutrition.
When an elderly person is injured, the injury can have a far more serious impact than if the same injury happened to a younger adult, and it can place a huge strain on the injured individual and their family. Even injuries that appear to be minor can rapidly become life-threatening to an elderly person who suffers from other health conditions.
Nursing Homes & COVID-19
In March 2020, Canada began to see the spread of COVID-19 in earnest. One of the worst-hit groups of the population were residents of nursing homes. Infections escalated quickly in these environments and became so difficult to manage the province deployed military personnel to observe and provide support at some of the homes with the highest rates of infection. In May, the military released a report detailing a disturbing amount of neglectful treatment endured by the residents at these homes. The province condemned the conditions described in the report and has since launched a commission of inquiry into the system.
A report in June 2020 by the Canadian Institute for Health Information showed that nursing home residents comprised more than 80% of deaths from COVID-19 in Canada. One of the primary contributing factors to the quick spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes has been attributed to the ongoing practice of staff working at multiple homes and therefore making it easier for the virus to spread from facility to facility. In the second half of 2020, a number of lawsuits sprung up around the province and the country seeking compensation for families who lost loved ones due to negligence and neglect.
Helping Elderly Victims and Their Families Navigate the Legal System
If you suspect that a loved one may have fallen victim to harm or neglect, or for those whose loved ones have been harmed significantly, or have died as the result of negligence while in the care of a nursing home or care facility, contact Tierney Stauffer LLP in Ottawa and North Bay. We will help the victims and their families recover financial compensation. We will work with you to review the details of the case and call in the right medical experts as required to investigate and to build the strongest possible case.
Our team understands the impact elder abuse can have on families. These are parents and grandparents entrusted into the care of others, and when that trust is violated it can be difficult for families to recover. Tierney Stauffer LLP offers personalized care to help recover some of what has been lost, and to hold those responsible financially accountable.
Contact Tierney Stauffer LLP in Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall and North Bay for Assistance with Nursing Home Negligence Claims
Neglect can occur for a number of reasons, such as under-staffing as a cost-saving measure, or under-trained and/or underpaid staff who may not have the necessary skills to offer the proper care. Apathetic or inattentive staff can lead to dangers other than direct abuse; failure to properly monitor and/or isolate potentially violent residents can negatively impact the safety of your loved ones, and often results in serious injury. These situations are entirely preventable but still occur with alarming regularity. The personal injury lawyers at Tierney Stauffer LLP can help.
If you or your loved one have been injured in a nursing home or long-term care facility and need assistance identifying and protecting your rights, it is important to take steps immediately. Please reach out to us by telephone at 1-888-799-8057 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.