Nursing Home Injury Lawyers

When a loved one suffers an injury in a nursing home, it shakes your world. You trusted these people to care for your family member, and now you’re left wondering what went wrong and what to do next.

At The Higgins Firm, we’ve guided hundreds of Nashville families through this exact situation. We’re here to help you make sense of it all and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.

Is Your Loved One Suffering from These Common Nursing Home Injuries?

Nursing home injuries are more common than most people realize. In 2024, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 adults over the age of 60 experienced abuse in a community setting.

But we know the real number is much higher – many incidents go unreported due to fear or inability to communicate.

Common injuries we see include:

• Falls resulting in broken bones or head trauma
• Bedsores from neglect
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Medication errors
• Infections from poor hygiene
• Injuries from improper lifting or transfers
• Wandering and elopement injuries
• Physical or sexual abuse

Each of these injuries is not just a statistic – it’s a person suffering, a family in distress. We never forget that.

Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

Sometimes, the signs of mistreatment are obvious – unexplained bruises or sudden weight loss. But often, the red flags are more subtle.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Changes in behavior or mood (especially fear or withdrawal)
• Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
• Frequent infections or bedsores
• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Unexplained injuries or falls
• Overmedication or seeming “out of it”
• Staff that seem overworked, frustrated, or evasive
• Resistance to family visits or alone time with the resident

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demand answers.

Nursing Home Resident Rights Under Federal and State Law

Federal and state laws provide strong protections for nursing home residents. For example, under the Tennessee Adult Protection Act (TN Code § 71-6-101 et seq.), nursing homes must provide a safe environment and meet specific standards of care.

Residents have the right to:

• Be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Receive appropriate medical care
• Have privacy and dignity respected
• Make decisions about their own care
• Voice grievances without fear of retaliation
• Be free from unnecessary restraints or sedation

When these rights are violated and injury occurs, you have legal recourse. But navigating the system can be complex. That’s where we come in.

How The Higgins Firm Fights for You

We’re not just lawyers – we’re advocates. Here’s how we approach nursing home injury cases:

1. Free, In-Depth Consultation: We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and give you an honest assessment of your case. No pressure, no obligations.
2. Thorough Investigation: Our team digs deep. We’ll review medical records, interview staff and witnesses, and consult with medical experts to build a strong case.
3. Handle All the Paperwork: Dealing with insurance companies and legal documents is the last thing you need right now. We’ll take care of all the paperwork and filings, keeping you updated every step of the way.
4. Negotiate Aggressively: We know the tactics nursing homes and their insurers use to avoid responsibility. We’ll fight for a fair settlement that covers all your loved one’s needs.
5. Prepare for Trial: While most cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. If the other side won’t negotiate fairly, we’re ready to take your case before a jury.
6. Support Beyond the Legal: We can help connect you with resources for your loved one’s care, support groups for families, and other services you might need during this difficult time.

Getting Compensation for Nursing Home Injuries

While no amount of money can undo the harm your loved one has suffered, fair compensation can help ensure they receive proper care moving forward and hold negligent facilities accountable.

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Cost of moving to a new facility
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death (in fatal cases)

We’ll work with medical and economic experts to calculate the full extent of damages, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Why Choose The Higgins Firm?

There are a lot of lawyers in Nashville. Here’s why families choose us for nursing home injury cases:

• Experience: We’ve handled hundreds of nursing home cases nationwide. We know the laws, the local facilities, and the tactics they use to avoid responsibility.
• Resources: We have the financial resources to thoroughly investigate your case, hire top experts, and see it through to trial if necessary.
• Personal Attention: You’re not just a case number to us. You’ll work directly with our attorneys, not be passed off to paralegals.
• No Win, No Fee: We work on contingency. You don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you.
• Compassion: We understand the emotional toll these cases take. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

What to Do Now

If you suspect your loved one has been injured due to nursing home neglect or abuse, here are the immediate steps to take:

1. Ensure Your Loved One’s Safety: If you believe they’re in immediate danger, contact the authorities or have them transferred to a hospital.
2. Document Everything: Take photos of injuries, keep a journal of incidents, and gather any relevant medical records.
3. Report the Incident: File a complaint with your state’s Department of Health and Adult Protective Services.
4. Contact Us: Call The Higgins Firm for a free consultation. The sooner we can start investigating, the stronger your case will be.

Remember, there’s generally a time limit (statute of limitations) for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice.

Contact Us Today

Your loved one deserves dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. When nursing homes fail in that duty, we’re here to hold them accountable. Call The Higgins Firm today or through our website to schedule your free consultation.

Let us help you navigate this difficult time and fight for the compensation and justice your family deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my loved one signed an arbitration agreement with the nursing home?

Many nursing homes include arbitration agreements in their admission paperwork. These agreements aim to prevent residents from filing lawsuits in court. However, these agreements aren’t always enforceable. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to challenge the validity of the arbitration agreement. Even if the agreement is upheld, we can still fight for your loved one’s rights through the arbitration process.

How much does it cost to hire a nursing home injury lawyer?

At The Higgins Firm, we handle nursing home injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is typically a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. During your free initial consultation, we’ll explain our fee structure in detail so you know exactly what to expect.

What if my loved one can’t communicate or remember what happened to them?

Even if your loved one has difficulty communicating or remembering details of their injury, we can still build a strong case. We’ll gather evidence from medical records, staff interviews, facility logs, and expert analysis. We also often work with families to document changes in behavior or physical condition that can indicate abuse or neglect. Don’t let communication barriers discourage you from seeking justice for your loved one.