Why Taking Immediate Legal Action Is So Important

It goes without saying that your top priority after finding out that a family member was abused or neglected is to get him or her to safety. You should also report the incident right away by calling the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE. Once your loved one has received the care that he or she needs, your next call should be to a nursing home abuse lawyer in St. Lucie County.

Read on to learn a few reasons why time is of the essence if you intend to bring a nursing home abuse claim:

Early Mistakes Could Jeopardize Your Case: You may already know that a nursing home neglect lawyer can help you gather evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and navigate settlement negotiations. Another important role of an attorney is to help you avoid costly mistakes that would lead to a dispute. During your free consultation at Donaldson & Weston, we can explain the steps you must take and the mistakes you must avoid to protect your claim. Common errors include providing a recorded statement to the opposing party, discussing your case on social media, and leaving negative online reviews about the at-fault facility.

Valuable Evidence Might Be Covered Up: You can bet the nursing home or the at-fault caregiver will do everything in their power to reduce their liability. And it’s certainly not unheard-of for defendants to destroy or alter evidence that might be used against them. Surveillance footage may be deleted, medical records might be modified, and caregivers might be coached about what to say when questioned about the incident. The sooner your St. Lucie County nursing home abuse attorney can investigate your case, the better the chance that essential evidence will still be available.

Eyewitnesses Might Forget Pertinent Details: If any residents at the facility witnessed the incident, your attorney will want to question them to find out if their deposition might contribute to your case. Unfortunately, people’s memories tend to wane with age, so it is important that your lawyer is able to get a statement from them as soon as possible.

There Are Time Limits for Filing Tort Lawsuits: You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit if a settlement is not reached. Once that deadline passes, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover damages from the liable party.

Can I Discuss My Loved One’s Case on Social Media?

Following an incident of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s not uncommon for the victim’s family to discuss the case online. They do this not only to keep loved ones informed but also to publicly denounce the at-fault facility. Unfortunately, the defendant or their insurance company might be monitoring your social media presence for posts that can be used to dispute your claim. For instance, a picture of your loved one at a social gathering might bring the severity of his or her injuries into question. It’s best to avoid mentioning your family member or the case online until the claim has been resolved.

Call 772-266-5555 to speak with a personal injury attorney today.