Tennessee

Tennessee Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Reputable Injury Attorneys with 20+ Years of Experience

Every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of age. Unfortunately, millions of older adults suffer abuse or neglect every year. At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we understand the heartbreaking consequences of nursing home abuse. If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a Tennessee nursing home, we can aggressively pursue justice while your family focuses on healing.

Our nursing home abuse attorneys are committed to holding abusive caretakers and facilities accountable for inflicting life-altering harm on residents and their families. With decades of experience and millions recovered for fellow Tennesseans, our firm has a winning track record of results in and out of the courtroom. We prepare every case for trial and never hesitate to stand up to large corporations in litigation if necessary to recover the full settlement you deserve.

If you or a loved one suffered nursing home abuse in Tennessee, our attorneys can aggressively pursue justice. Contact us online to discuss your case.

because they deserve to be heard

We fight for the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves. Let us help you.

Nursing Home Abuse & Elder Neglect in Tennessee

From understaffing to corporate greed, nursing home abuse is a prevalent and widely underreported problem in Tennessee. In 2022, 61% of all healthcare facility complaints were against nursing homes, resulting in a 27.6% increase from 2021.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the financial exploitation of older adults costs an estimated $28.3 billion in losses every year, making it crucial to recognize the warning signs and seek sound counsel as soon as possible if you suspect an older adult is being abused or neglected.

Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take various forms, including:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse refers to physical acts resulting in bodily harm to residents, such as hitting, slapping, kicking, and shoving. Some lesser-known forms of physical abuse include inappropriate restraints, improper medication administration, and confinement. Common warning signs include unexplained bruises, bleeding, fractures, and other bodily injuries.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse occurs when staff or caregivers intentionally cause emotional distress in residents, such as by yelling, insulting, belittling, name-calling, gaslighting, ignoring, or isolating residents. This can lead to serious health effects like anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and personality or behavioral changes.

Financial Abuse

Financial or economic abuse involves the illegal or improper use of a resident’s assets, property, and other financial resources for personal gain. This may involve unauthorized transactions, misuse of powers of attorney, stealing cash or valuables, pressuring the resident to sign documents, or preventing access to critical accounts.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is the most underreported form of nursing home abuse. This isn’t limited to sexual assault, but encompasses all non-consensual sexual conduct, such as inappropriate touching, coerced nudity, and sharing sexually explicit images. Some red flags include unexplained STIs and anxiety about bathing or using the restroom.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when staff or facilities fail to meet the basic needs of residents, such as adequate access to food, water, hygiene, and medical care. Neglect can also be social or emotional, such as isolating residents and restricting visitation with friends and loved ones. Some warning signs include bedsores, malnutrition, and dehydration.

Tennessee Nursing Home Laws & Resident Rights

Nursing homes are required to report any incidents of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property to the Department of Health in accordance with Tennessee Code § 68-11-211. The Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities is responsible for overseeing nursing home regulations to ensure facilities meet the appropriate standards and suspend or revoke the licenses of facilities that violate state or federal law.

If you suspect a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, you can file a complaint with the Health Facilities Commission by calling 1-877-287-0010. This toll-free service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You can also submit a complaint online or mail this complaint form to:

Health Facilities Commission
Complaint Intake Unit
665 Mainstream Drive, Second Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

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meet your advocates.

Founding attorneys Jim McHugh and Mike Fuller have gone up against hospitals, corporations, and national defense firms - and won. Their work has led to millions recovered and real accountability.

Why Choose McHugh Fuller for Your Case?

When your health and economic security are on the line, choose a reputable injury law firm you can trust to protect your financial future. Here are some advantages of working with McHugh Fuller Law Group:

Decades of experience. We have over 20 years of experience advocating for the wrongfully injured across Tennessee.
Millions recovered. Our firm has a reputation for winning results and record-breaking verdicts.
Trial readiness. Our attorneys prepare every case for trial and have a proven track record of results in complex litigation.
Personalized attention. We take pride in providing personalized counsel and small-firm attention while offering the experience and resources of larger law firms.

If you were harmed by someone else's carelessness, put decades of experience on your side with McHugh Fuller Law Group. Call (601) 255-0240 to schedule a free consultation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims is generally one year from the date of the injury or incident. However, exceptions may apply in certain cases. Consulting a nursing home abuse lawyer is paramount to maintaining legal standing and filing a claim within the appropriate deadline.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse Case?
Depending on the specifics of the case, various types of compensation may be available in a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Common recoverable damages include:
- Medical expenses for hospital stays, treatments, medications, and rehabilitative care.
- Relocation costs incurred in moving your loved one to a safe facility.
- Non-economic losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In rare cases involving especially egregious misconduct, the court may also award punitive damages to punish the defendant directly and deter similar behavior in the future. Seeking sound counsel is a must to recover the full extent of damages available to you.
What Should I Do if I Suspect My Loved One Is Being Abused in a Nursing Home?
While discovering signs of nursing home abuse can be extremely upsetting for families, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some critical steps to take if you suspect your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect:
1. Prioritize your loved one’s safety. If you suspect your loved one is in immediate danger, relocate them to a safe environment as soon as possible.
2. Seek medical treatment. Help your loved one seek medical treatment for any physical or emotional injuries to protect their health.
3. Document everything. Keep detailed records of the abuse, including visible injuries, concerning behaviors or comments, and other relevant documentation.
4. Report the abuse. Notify the nursing home administration and file a formal complaint with the Department of Health or Adult Protective Services (APS).
5. Consult a nursing home abuse lawyer. A qualified attorney can investigate the abuse, gather evidence, and work tirelessly to bring all negligent parties to justice.
What Is Considered Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider or entity fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. The “standard of care” refers to the level of care and skill that a similarly qualified professional would provide under similar circumstances. Demonstrating negligence in these cases is notoriously complex and necessitates legal representation from a skilled medical malpractice lawyer.
What Types of Medical Errors Lead to Medical Malpractice Claims?

Various medical errors can lead to medical malpractice claims, including birth injuries, medication mistakes, anesthesia and surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and failure to treat or diagnose. However, a medical error does not necessarily constitute medical malpractice. To recover damages, the patient is responsible for proving that the negligent provider or facility deviated from the standard of care in committing the error. Securing experienced representation is essential to establishing liability and recovering the compensation you need for your recovery.
What Is a Product Liability Lawsuit?

A product liability lawsuit arises when a defective or dangerous product causes injury or harm to a consumer. These claims can involve design flaws, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings and instructions. Our advocates have a deep understanding of product liability laws and winning results against powerful companies and insurers, making us well-equipped to safeguard your rights in and out of the courtroom.
How Do I Know if a Product Caused My Injury?
To meet the burden of proof in a product liability claim, you must prove that the product was defective or unreasonably dangerous when it left the negligent seller or manufacturer. In other words, you must establish the following:
1. The product was not safe for reasonably anticipated use.
2. The defect existed when the product was released.
A product liability lawyer can help you gather evidence to establish the defect as the “proximate cause” of your injuries, such as medical records, photos and videos, and expert testimonies. At McHugh Fuller Law Group, we have an extensive network of contacts and resources at our disposal to build you a robust case and fight for a fair settlement.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence system. Also known as the 51% rule, this allows plaintiffs to recover damages in personal injury claims as long as they are 50% at fault or less. However, any compensation awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault in a claim totaling $100,000 in damages, you may only be entitled to $80,000 ($20,000 less than the original value). Working with an experienced injury lawyer is critical to assessing available damages and identifying every avenue for financial recovery.

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Whether it was a preventable injury, a medical error, or a missed warning - tell us what happened. We'll help you fight.

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Because your loved ones deserve the best

Proven Track Record

Thousands of cases tried and litigated, hundreds of cases valued over $1 Million
Over $100 Million in Combined Verdicts

Lawyers with over $100 Million in combined verdicts
Trial Lawyers Here to Help

Decades of combined experience taking cases all the way to trial, if necessary

$150,000 Catastrophic Injury
$600,000 Nursing Home Abuse

Additional Practice Areas

In addition to seeking justice for older adults and their loved ones in nursing home abuse lawsuits, our firm also handles cases in the following practice areas:

Medical malpractice. If you were harmed by a negligent healthcare provider or facility, our attorneys can fight for justice. From surgical errors to birth injuries, we have a winning track record of results in all types of medical malpractice claims.
Product liability. As consumers, we trust that products are safe for use before they hit the shelves. If you were harmed by a dangerous drug, medical device, or other unsafe product, we can work diligently to hold the negligent company or manufacturer accountable.
Personal injury. From car accidents to slip-and-falls to catastrophic injuries, we represent the wrongfully injured in a variety of personal injury claims. Our lawyers never hesitate to litigate cases if necessary to obtain a fair outcome.