Alabama Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

• Physical abuse. Physical abuse in nursing homes can take many forms, often leaving vulnerable residents in pain and distress. It may include actions like hitting, slapping, pushing, or using excessive force when assisting with mobility. Bruises, cuts, welts, or fractures that cannot be easily explained are common physical indicators of abuse. Residents may also exhibit fearfulness, withdrawal, or anxiety around certain staff members. Restraining residents improperly or force-feeding can also be classified as physical abuse.
• Emotional abuse. Emotional abuse in nursing homes can be subtle yet deeply damaging to residents. It often involves actions or words that belittle, intimidate, isolate, or humiliate individuals. This type of abuse may manifest through frequent insults, mockery, or yelling directed at the residents. Caregivers may also ignore residents' needs, restrict social interactions, or intentionally withhold affection and attention. Over time, these behaviors may lead to noticeable changes in a resident's demeanor, such as increased feelings of helplessness, low self-esteem, depression, or withdrawal from social activities.
• Financial exploitation. Financial exploitation in nursing homes involves the illegal or improper use of a resident's funds, property, or assets. In practice, this type of abuse can involve unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts, forging signatures on financial documents, or pressuring residents into changing wills or financial arrangements. Some instances may also include overcharging for services, billing for care that was not provided, or mismanaging personal funds held by the facility. Residents who may have cognitive impairments or limited understanding of financial matters are particularly vulnerable to this exploitation, making it critical to look out for warning signs like unexplained financial changes or missing possessions.
• Neglect. Neglect may involve a failure to provide basic necessities like food, water, or adequate hygiene. Signs of neglect can include poor personal care, dehydration, malnutrition, or the presence of untreated medical conditions like bedsores or infections. Emotional neglect is another concern, where residents may be left isolated, ignored, or subjected to a lack of meaningful interaction.

Alabama Nursing Home Laws and Resident Rights

Alabama’s Bureau of Health Provider Standards oversees and regulates nursing homes and other elder care facilities throughout the state. Residents in nursing homes are entitled to basic rights that promote their dignity, respect, and quality of life. If you believe those rights are being violated or abuse or neglect is occurring, you can file a formal complaint by completing the agency’s Nursing Home Complaint Form. You can also call the state’s ElderCare hotline at 1-800-356-9596 or e-mail a complaint to NHComplaints@adph.state.al.us. 

Note that Alabama maintains a separate hotline and e-mail for complaints involving assisted living facilities. If you have a complaint about mistreatment at an assisted living facility, you can call the Assisted Living Facilities complaint hotline at 1-866-873-0366 or send an e-mail to ALFComplaints@adph.state.al.us.

The statute of limitations for nursing home abuse lawsuits in Alabama is generally two years from the date of the mistreatment or two years from the date the mistreatment was discovered or should have reasonably been discovered. If you do not file a lawsuit within this period, you will likely be barred from seeking justice or recovering compensation, which is why it’s so important to involve a legal professional as early as possible. Our Alabama nursing home abuse lawyers can evaluate your situation and walk you through your rights and legal options.