Best Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Mobile, AL

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Mobile, Alabama?

  The Mobile Police Department can be reached at 251-208-7211 for non-emergencies.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Mobile, Alabama?

  You can request copies of police reports in person from the Mobile Police Headquarters, located at 2460 Government Blvd., Mobile, AL 36606. Report copies cost $15 each. You can also mail a report request to the same address along with the fee. For more information, please call 251-208-1991.

• Why is it important to look if the abuse victim signed an arbitration agreement with the nursing home in Mobile?

  The presence of a valid arbitration agreement signed by the resident during admission to the Mobile nursing home may prevent the resident from seeking legal action for their abuse through the courts. An arbitration agreement stipulates that disputes must be resolved through arbitration instead of a lawsuit. Under certain conditions, some arbitration agreements may become non-enforceable in Alabama. A nursing home abuse attorney can tell you more about this.

• What types of nursing home abuse can you sue for in Mobile?

  Nursing home abuse cases in Mobile typically fall into five categories: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and neglect. The most common signs observed in senior residents who suffered abuse or neglect include sudden weight loss and behavior changes, bedsores, untreated medical concerns, an unsafe or unsanitary environment, and manifestations of poor hygiene like body odor. Also, look out for unusual financial transactions and broken or missing belongings, which may signal financial exploitation.

• To which local authority can you file a complaint against a nursing home or report suspected nursing home abuse in Mobile?

  You can file a complaint or report suspected elder abuse in a Mobile nursing home to the agencies below. You can make the report or complaint anonymously. These agencies will then conduct an investigation based on your report.

  • Alabama Public Health Services Eldercare hotline: 1-800-356-9596.
  • Alabama Department of Human Resources Adult Abuse Hotline: 1-800-458-7214.
  • Mobile Police Department: 911 if the senior is in immediate danger or 251-208-7211.

• How does the “Shirley Law” help prevent nursing home abuse in Mobile?

  Thanks to the Shirley Law, Alabama now maintains a registry of convicted abusers of vulnerable adults. This helps nursing homes avoid hiring care staff with a history of harming seniors. Mobile citizens can also use the registry to countercheck a caregiver’s background when hiring one for their senior family member. The law was named after Shirley Smith who suffered extensive financial abuse from a caregiver.

• Is there a deadline for filing a nursing home abuse claim in Mobile?

  According to the Alabama Code Section 6-2-38, you must file the case within two years from the date of the abuse. If the resident passed away due to the abuse, the two-year deadline begins from the date of death. For nursing home abuse in Mobile involving medical malpractice, the case must also be filed within two years.