More Than 60 Years of Providing Care and Justice to the Abused Elderly

The elderly should be cherished—never abused. Many care facilities, from Tacoma to Seattle, have earned a trustworthy reputation on this principle. But could elder abuse be happening at some of those nursing homes? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two out of three staff members in institutions—like nursing homes—reported having committed abuse in the last year.

What’s heartbreaking is that many abuses are overlooked. If your loved one has been the subject of nursing home abuse, we urge you to properly report the abuse and seek legal advice from qualified professionals—like our team of nine personal injury lawyers—so you can get justice for your loved one. For a free consultation with us, simply fill out this form, and we’ll be honored to provide top legal advice about your case.

Defining Nursing Home Abuse

What is nursing home abuse? And when should you involve a law firm? It’s any harm caused to an older adult, typically in a nursing home or other assisted living facility. Abuse can be accidental or intentional, and it can be psychological or physical.

There are many types of abuse:

• Physical, such as slapping or hitting
• Neglect, such as untreated bedsores
• Psychological or emotional
• Sexual assault
• Financial exploitation

These types of abuse are inexcusable and require justice. Another form of abuse—neglect—can be just as damaging. Neglect happens when a caregiver fails to provide necessary, basic treatments. This can cause severe harm to the nursing home resident. Some examples of neglect include, but are not limited to, the failure to provide adequate care in the following areas:

• Baths, bathing, and showers
• Bedpan maintenance
• Dressing changes
• Grooming
• Medication maintenance

Look for the Warning Signs

Your loved one may be too embarrassed to volunteer the facts and details of their abuse. Ask yourself some of these questions if you’re not sure where to look:

• Are there bruises, broken bones, or broken eyeglasses?
• Do they exhibit a sudden change in behavior?
• Are they fearful of particular nursing home staff?
• Are they socially withdrawn?
• Are they missing credit cards?
• Do they appear to suffer from malnutrition?

We Fight for Justice and Compensation

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, our pursuit of justice is unshakeable. That’s why we work to ensure offending parties are held accountable for their wrongs. But is that enough? In most cases, the abuser leaves the abused at a financial loss. Nursing home neglect can cause significant, lasting emotional distress.

The impact of any type of nursing home abuse—physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, neglect, and wrongful death—is a heavy burden. Nothing can undo the wrong that was caused, but a financial settle can relieve that burden, helping you and your loved one recover what was lost.

Some reasons for compensation include, but are not limited to:

• Counseling or therapy
• Cost of relocating to new nursing home
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Physical therapy

How Does a Case Work at RHHK?

To start, report abuse as soon as possible. One way to do that is to find an ombudsman, here. Or, call a reporting hotline, like Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) vulnerable adult reporting hotline at 1-877-734-6277. You can also report to DSHS online, here.

Next, if you want justice for your loved one, you’ll need the help of a nursing home abuse attorney. Expect RHHK to take the following steps toward justice in any nursing home abuse case that we agree to take on:

1. Meet with you for a free, initial consultation. It’s important that you find a personal injury attorney who can powerfully represent you in settlement negotiations and in court.
2. We’ll gather evidence to support your case. This may include obtaining records of medical care resulting from the abuse.
3. We negotiate settlement terms. In many cases, an agreement is reached and a financial settlement is awarded to the plaintiff without proceeding to civil court.
4. If no settlement is reached, we take the case to court. Nursing home abuse cases generally reach a settlement. But if the case must go to court, the outcome of the case will be decided by a judge or a jury. If that happens, you couldn’t be in better hands than with us. Our attorneys are seasoned veterans who can handle any case, any size.

Why Choose Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC?

Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC is more than a law office—we’re compassionate professionals who relentlessly pursue your justice. Staffed by nine outstanding attorneys, RHHK has been delivering results for more than six decades.

But what sets us apart—what truly makes us different—is our unfaltering dedication to your story. Your voice will be heard, not quieted. You will be championed, not ignored. And justice will be delivered, not forgotten.

FAQ

1. Who’s most at risk for nursing home abuse?
2. Reports show that women and residents with physical and cognitive difficulties, like Alzheimer’s, are most at risk.
3. If I suspect my loved one is suffering abuse, how can I help?
4. There are some things you can do to help them. If their health is at risk or their safety is threatened and they need immediate attention, call 9-1-1. But in situations that are not life-threatening, there are other actions you can take. Talk to your loved one directly about your concerns and suspicions. They may not wish to express their experiences and might remain silent about their abuse. In this case, try the following:

• Speak to the care facility administrator about your concerns and suspicions.
• File a complaint with DSHS, here.
• Document any and all evidence you can. This may include medical reports, fall accident reports, injury photos, and anything else you think may be helpful.
• Increase regular visits, relieving the caregiver whenever possible.
• Contact RHHK by filling out this form. We’ll discuss how we may be able to help you.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim?

1. The amount of time you have to file a claim, or the statute of limitations, in the state of Washington is three years. But if your case happened more than three years ago, we encourage you to contact us immediately so that we may review the details of your case.