Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Billings, MT

Elder Abuse Lawyer in Billings, MT

The decision to transition a family member into an assisted living facility or nursing home is a deeply challenging one. It involves entrusting the care of a loved one to unfamiliar individuals with the expectation that they will provide compassionate and competent assistance. Families often grapple with the delicate balance between the quality of care and financial limitations. In the unfortunate event that an elderly family member experiences mistreatment or negligence at the hands of their caregivers, seeking the guidance of a nursing home abuse attorney at RMK Law can empower you to pursue appropriate recourse.

Our attorneys have more than four decades of combined experience fighting for our clients. We represent individuals as well as some of the largest companies in Montana. The RMK Law team of professional litigators provide the integrated legal services of a large organization and the compassion and personalized attention of a small firm.

Our services are affordable without sacrificing quality in keeping with our firm’s founding principle. We offer exceptional representation to clients throughout Montana, providing a broad range of services. The free initial consultation helps us understand your case and needs.

Approximately one in ten Americans over the age of 60 experience some form of abuse. Mental impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, and social isolation, make older adults vulnerable to mistreatment. Individuals who have been abused have a much higher risk of death than individuals who have not been mistreated. Elder abuse is often perpetrated by staff at assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other facilities. It includes:

• Confinement – Isolating or restraining an older adult for non-medical reasons
• Emotional abuse – Verbal assaults that include intimidation, harassment, and threats of abuse
• Financial exploitation – Misusing or withholding the funds of an older adult
• Passive neglect – Failing to provide an elderly family member with necessities such as medication, clothing, food and shelter
• Physical abuse – Inflicting physical injuries or pain on an older victim
• Sexual abuse – Having sexual intercourse, touching, fondling, or any sexual activity against the victim’s will or when they cannot understand what is happening
• Willful deprivation – Denying medication, medical care, physical assistance, or therapeutic devices to an older adult potentially causing emotional, mental, or physical harm
  

Frequently Asked Questions

A nursing home abuse lawyer has a sophisticated understanding of the law and what steps are necessary to help you with your case. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about elder abuse.

What causes elder abuse to happen?

A combination of social, economic, and psychological factors in both the victim and perpetrator can contribute to an older adult’s mistreatment. Primary risks include a lack of support and resources, physical, emotional, or mental dependence, and social isolation.

Although any one of the following signs does not prove maltreatment, when one occurs repeatedly, or several become present, it is a strong implication that abuse exists.

• Emotional: Anxiety, depression, withdrawal from typical activities, and unusual behavior
• Financial: Failure to keep appointments or pay bills, atypical purchases by the victim or caregiver, questionable behavior
• Neglect: Poor hygiene, unusual weight loss, bedsores, unattended medical needs
• Physical: Abrasions, broken bones, burns, bruises, sores, or pressure marks
• Sexual: Injuries or bruising to the genital area. Could present as having difficulty sitting or moving
  

What can I do if I suspect abuse, exploitation, or neglect?

Contact the authorities. They investigate claims of misconduct by caregivers. If the older adult is in immediate danger, calling the local police is appropriate. If danger is not imminent, you can get help by calling the Adult Protective Services hotline, Long Term Care Ombudsman, or other state government agencies.

Contact a Montana Elderly Abuse Attorney Today

The team at RMK Law is committed to delivering a personalized approach to every client. We can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and ensure your situation gets the attention it deserves. If you suspect your elder loved one is suffering abuse or neglect at a caregiver’s hands, contact us today or call (406) 413-9229. We can schedule an appointment to discuss the details and evaluate your case.

Photo Credit: Robert Kneschke