Placing a loved one in a nursing facility is rarely easy for the people who must make that decision. When you rely on these facilities to care for your loved one, you expect them to do what is necessary to protect them from harm. This includes preventing them from wandering unattended or even leaving the facility on their own.
The unfortunate reality is that wandering (also called elopement) are common risks in understaffed and carelessly managed nursing homes. When this happens, nursing home residents could be at risk of injury or even death from a wide range of hazards. An Annapolis elopement & wandering injuries attorney with Brown & Barron can help your loved one seek justice for their injuries. You can learn more about your next steps during a free consultation with our team today.
Get in touch with a elopement & wandering lawyer serving Annapolis, (410) 547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
Compensation for an Annapolis Elopement or Wandering Case
A serious injury could occur in various ways after an incident of elopement or wandering from a nursing home. These injuries can lead to financial, emotional, and physical trauma for the nursing home resident. A monetary award could be available based on the extent of this trauma.The types of damages recoverable in these cases could include:
Relocation Expenses
Many family members no longer feel as if their loved one is safe after an incident of wandering or eloping. With their trust broken, it is understandable that they would seek out new living arrangements. Unfortunately, relocating a loved one to a different facility comes with a cost. A civil lawsuit could pay for those expenses.
Medical Bills
When a nursing home resident is injured while wandering, they could seek the cost of their medical care. This could include any treatment made necessary by their injury, including hospital stays, surgical procedures, or physical therapy.
Pain and Suffering
Injuries from wandering or eloping from a nursing home can be extreme. Often, these wounds can cause lasting physical pain for months or even years after they occur. This is particularly true when an injury leads to nerve damage or head trauma. A nursing home resident could obtain compensation for their pain and suffering.
Emotional Distress
The prospect of being lost and wandering in or outside a nursing home facility can be distressing for most residents. This emotional trauma can be especially challenging to face when it accompanies physical injuries. Compensation could be available for a nursing home resident’s emotional distress.
The Difference Between Wandering and Elopement
Wandering and elopement are serious issues that can cause dire consequences for a nursing home resident. That said, there are differences between the two terms. It is helpful for anyone considering legal action after a wandering or elopement incident to understand the difference between the terms.
Both wandering and elopement involve a nursing home resident—typically one with cognitive issues—leaving their room alone. When a resident gets lost, they could encounter dangerous hazards. Wandering occurs when a nursing home resident leaves their room and wanders unsupervised around the nursing home facility. This could include wandering into other patients’ rooms or into restricted areas, such as storage rooms or kitchens.
Elopement is similar to wandering. Instead of traveling within the facility, elopement occurs when a nursing home resident leaves the facility entirely without anyone accompanying them. This is dangerous, as nursing home residents are often easily lost. There is also the ever-present danger of vehicle collisions to be aware of. The three primaryhazards of elopementinclude getting hurt in an accident (especially a fall), succumbing to the elements, or experiencing a robbery or other violent crime.
The Dangers of Wandering and Elopement
There are numerousdangers of wanderingand elopement to consider. When nursing home residents wander or elope, they face increased risks because of their inability to care for themselves. If a person requires help to the degree that they live in a nursing home, they likely face additional risks when wandering on their own.
A nursing home resident dealing with cognitive issues could struggle with returning to the nursing home after they elope. They also might not be aware of the risks they face when wandering.
There are also medical issues to consider. A nursing home resident might need medication or treatments on a strict schedule. Leaving a facility or wandering away from their room could make it impossible for them to get the care they require.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a elopement & wandering lawyer serving Annapolis.
The Cost of an Attorney for an Annapolis Elopement and Wandering Case
Our law firm handles wandering and elopement cases on contingency, meaning you or your loved one will not have to pay us any attorney’s fees up front for our services. Instead, our firm gets paid only if we recover compensation in the case. If we do, we will collect a percentage of the settlement or court-ordered award. This approach allows your loved one to pursue legal action regardless of whether they have the financial means to pay for an attorney.
Because our firm receives pay only when we are successful, that means we carry all the financial risk. Your loved one and family will never be at risk of filing a lawsuit and walking away with nothing but legal bills. If you do not get paid, we don’t either.
Call an Attorney if Your Loved One Wandered Away From a Nursing Home in Annapolis
Wandering and elopement can be a scary situation for anyone with family members living in a nursing home. When injuries follow these incidents, it could be possible to hold the nursing facility, its staff, and its owners responsible. This could require pursuing a civil lawsuit with the help of experienced legal counsel.
The team at Brown & Barron understands what is at stake for your loved one. These circumstances are challenging, especially when they involve serious injuries. If you are ready to discuss your loved one’s legal options, our Annapolis elopement and wandering attorney is here to help.
Reach out today for your free consultation.