Nursing Home Abuse in Knoxville, TN
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Did you or a loved one suffer abuse in Knoxville, Tennessee? There are federal and state laws designed to protect nursing home patients. A nursing home should be a long-term care facility where patients can live comfortably with the care they need. However, there is still the risk of nursing home abuse or neglect. Thankfully, laws protect the rights of the abused, and competent Knoxville nursing home abuse attorneys can help.
Federal Laws Protecting Against Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing Home Reform Act (1987)
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 created a stringent set of protocols for Knoxville, Tennessee nursing home facilities to maintain. This law was passed after a study conducted by the Institute of Medicine determined that there was rampant elderly abuse and neglect in nursing homes. Under this law, Knoxville facilities must:
- Document and assess residents’ health status and individual needs.
- Create a written strategic plan for each resident.
- Assist residents in maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Keep accurate health records for each resident.
- Maintain the correct number of staff required to adequately care for patients and avoid neglect.
- Provide proper hygiene and nutrition.
- Maintain adequate supervision and implement devices to prevent falls and other injuries.
Nursing Home Resident’s Bill of Rights
Part of the Nursing Home Reform Act implemented a Bill of Rights for nursing home residents. This creates an outline of the benefits entitled to you or a loved one in a quality Knoxville, TN nursing home and includes items such as:
- Privacy and discretion with health-related issues
- Ability to make their own decisions (if mentally sound)
- Ability to voice issues or complaints without fear of retribution or harassment
- Sufficient health care and treatment from nursing home staff
Elder Justice Act
The Elder Justice Act went into effect in 2010 to fight against elder abuse and neglect. This act mandates that the nursing home staff must report possible incidents of elder abuse and neglect. The Elder Justice Act created the following applicable provisions:
- Employee Background Check Database – Gives nursing homes the right to be more selective in their hiring process. The goal is to prevent abuse by screening potential employees for past incidents.
- 60-Day Closure Window – Nursing homes cannot close without first notifying their home state and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The staff must also relocate all residents to proper nursing homes.
- Elder Justice Coordinating Council – This coalition meets twice annually to discuss new methods of deterring elder abuse and neglect. The Council also drafts reports with recommendations to Congress on how to improve safeguards for the elderly.
State Laws Protecting Against Elder Abuse and Neglect
Each state has its laws on this matter. While states rely on the guidance of the federal laws mentioned above, it is entirely within a state’s rights to pass additional protective laws for elder abuse and neglect. States with a higher percentage of nursing home residents typically have more laws than those without.
The Tennessee Office of Healthcare Facilities is responsible for the oversight and regulation of nursing homes in Knoxville and across the state. Every nursing home in Knoxville requires a Certificate of Need (CON) before beginning operations. In addition, no institution can make major modifications without an updated CON.
According to the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability, Tennessee is a mandatory reporting state. If you suspect abuse, you must call Adult Protective Services at 888-277-8366. If the abuse is physical, then you must call the Tennessee Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-356-6767.
Can You File a Lawsuit in Knoxville, Tennessee For Nursing Home Abuse?
Yes, you can and should seek maximum compensation. Victims of nursing home abuse or neglect (or their power of attorney) can file a lawsuit in civil and criminal court depending on the nature of the abuse. It is possible to reach a settlement and receive financial compensation before filing a lawsuit. However, if there is an argument about fair compensation or who bears responsibility, a lawsuit may become necessary.
Tennessee’s Adult Protection Act provides legal protection for Knoxville seniors 60 and older against many forms of elder abuse. This includes physical and financial abuse. In addition, the Act states that any person who reports abuse and experiences negative employment retaliation has a civil cause of action. Specifically, they have a civil cause of action for appropriate compensatory and punitive damages against any person who caused the detrimental change in employment status.
How Can You Receive Compensation Through a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit?
Victims of nursing home abuse or neglect in Knoxville can pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit, and multiple ways exist for victims to receive compensation:
- Verdict – In this case, a trial jury hears case evidence and determines whether the defendant (nursing home/nursing home staff) is at fault. If they find the nursing home liable, the jury decides how much compensation to tender to you or your family as the plaintiff.
- Settlement – A lawyer helps you avoid costly settlement mistakes. This settlement phase is when both parties agree on a compensation amount without a jury weighing in. All parties sign a legally binding document that often prevents further legal action. If the plaintiff signs this document, it ends a trial if one has started or can prevent one if it has not.
- Restitution – For criminal cases, victims will likely receive compensation through restitution. This is a way for the guilty party to make up for the harm caused through financial compensation.
The compensation awarded via a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit can help pay victims’ medical bills, physical therapy, mental health therapy, costs for relocating to a new nursing home, and overall pain and suffering.
Civil and Criminal Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
Most nursing home abuse cases are handled in civil court. However, there are instances where both criminal and civil cases can be filed. For example, if a staff member physically harms a resident, causing a fall and a broken bone, they could face criminal charges. Additionally, the victim may pursue a civil lawsuit for the same incident.
If you are seeking damages over $25,000 in your elder abuse civil lawsuit, you will generally file with the Knox County Circuit Court. However, the Knox County Chancery Court handles cases involving guardianship or conservatorship in Knoxville.
What Types of Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits Exist?
Most Knoxville, TN nursing home abuse lawsuits fall under two major categories: tort and breach of contract. Out of these two, tort lawsuits are the most common because victims seek compensation for direct harm whereas a breach of contract lawsuit often carries more limited compensation amounts.
Tort Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
Tort lawsuits are when the victim seeks compensation for pain and suffering caused at the hands of the nursing home. Multiple types of tort lawsuits correspond with the different types of crimes:
- Abuse – Victims are intentionally harmed; this could lead to severe bodily injury.
- Medical malpractice – The nursing home health care professionals acted outside the standard procedures of their position, and their mistreatment led to injury.
- Neglect – When the nursing home fails its duty to adequately care for a patient. Neglect specifically deals with nursing home staff being lazy, careless, or indifferent to patient care.
- Wrongful death – If a patient dies from a nursing home’s negligence, medical malpractice, or purposeful abuse, the surviving family can sue the nursing home.
Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Knoxville, Tennessee.
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit against a nursing home for abuse or neglect, it’s essential to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in senior citizens’ rights. A skilled nursing home abuse lawyer can assist you in gathering critical evidence, identifying supporting witnesses, drafting the lawsuit, and taking the case to trial if needed.
Are you looking for an experienced Knoxville nursing home abuse attorney to help your family? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Tennessee state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to speak with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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