Best Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Philadelphia

FAQs

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

  The non-emergency contact number for the Philadelphia Police Department is 311.

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

  You get copies of police reports for incidents related to your case in Philadelphia via mail to the city's Department of Records. Fill out this form: https://www.phila.gov/media/20210510162324/application_for_traffic_accident_report_82-23.pdf and mail it to the Department of Records, Traffic Accident Reports Room 170, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107. You may also call (215) 686-2266 for more information.

• Are nursing homes in Philadelphia punishable by punitive damages?

  Nursing homes in Philadelphia are punishable by punitive damages. The jury or arbitration panel can award punitive damages if there is proof of "conduct that is outrageous because of the defendant’s evil motive or reckless indifference." An example of this is when a nursing home staff member already has a history of abuse to patients, and the facility did nothing about it.

• What qualifies as neglect in a nursing home in Philadelphia?

  In Philadelphia, a nursing home abuse case may surface if there is neglect on the part of the facility, and this is when the facility fails to provide an elderly person with care and services essential to their health and safety, including food, medical care, clothing, and shelter. If this is the case, the plaintiff may file a lawsuit against the nursing home and its staff members to hold them responsible for their neglectful actions.

• What is the time frame for suing a nursing home in Philadelphia?

  The statute of limitations in personal injury cases in Pennsylvania is two years from the date an injury occurs. Family members of nursing home abuse victims in Philadelphia should be able to file a lawsuit within the limit to be able to recover compensation for their losses.

• What conditions do you need to satisfy to establish liability in a nursing home abuse case in Philadelphia?

  To prove liability in a nursing home abuse case in Philadelphia, you need to first establish that the nursing home has a responsibility to provide a certain standard of care to your loved one. Then, show proof that the nursing home breached this standard of care in some way, for instance, by failing to deliver adequate patient supervision or maintain safe premises. Lastly, present evidence that the nursing home's breach of care led to your loved one's injuries or death.

• Are there any exceptions to the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims in Philadelphia?

  There are exceptions to the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse claims in Philadelphia; the two-year time limit can be paused if the injured individual was unaware of their injury and will only start running once they discover their injuries. Also, the statute of limitations will be delayed if the at-fault party leaves the state for over four months when a victim has the right to bring a claim, or when the defendant is still in the state but conceals his/her identity.