Kirkland Elder Abuse Lawyer
Fighting For Your Family's Rights in a Scary Situation
Are you concerned that a family member may be suffering from elder abuse at the hands of a nursing home facility, hospice nurse, or another caretaker? Elder abuse is a serious crime, and it isn’t just harmful and dangerous; it could be deadly. As with any type of abuse, elder abuse can take many forms. Elders are often abused financially, sexually, physically, and mentally, or by negligence. If you find yourself dealing with elder abuse, you need to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
Call now at (425) 657-5255 for a free, private consultation with Attorney Neil Lindquist. We are dedicated to protecting the elderly in Everett, Kirkland, Bellevue, Kirkland, and the Greater Washington State Area.
About Nursing Home Abuse
Elder abuse can happen anywhere, though it often occurs within nursing homes. Nursing home facilities are meant to shelter and care for our elderly loved ones, but all too often they end up allowing negligence and abuse to take hold and thrive.
Anyone could be a potential abuser, but elders often suffer abuse from their nurses, doctors, or other caretakers on staff at the nursing home. In some cases, they might be abused by other residents, visitors, or people who work closely with the nursing home facility.
Types of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can take many forms. It is often physical in nature, meaning victims suffer physical neglect and abuse. However, elder abuse can also be emotional, mental, financial, or sexual in nature. For example, if a nursing home staff member frequently berates, yells at, or manipulates a resident, this is emotional abuse. Elderly individuals can also be taken advantage of financially. A caretaker may steal a senior’s credit cards or pocket funds intended to be used for the care of the elderly individual. A caretaker may even convince a senior to change his or her will—or do so without the elderly individual’s knowledge.
While these actions against seniors can seem unthinkable, such abuse can and does occur with alarming frequency. It’s important that you are aware of the common signs of elder abuse, as your loved one may be unable to speak up for him/herself when abuse is occurring. In fact, your loved one may not even realize that what they are experiencing is, in fact, abuse and not something they have to tolerate.
Common signs and symptoms of abuse include:
- Loss of interest or depression
- Physical signs of assault, such as bruising, missing patches of hair, burns, etc.
- Soreness between the legs, especially when sitting
- Unexplained financial changes
- Changes to power of attorney
- Personal hygiene is regularly poor
- Missed medication doses
- Environment is unclean
- Fearfulness or strange behavior around particular caretakers
- Bed sores and injuries caused by negligent care
Our Proven Results
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$275,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client received a $275,000 third-party settlement after he was rear-ended and recruited our firm. The accident took a toll on our client’s spine and abdomen. He suffered a cervical strain, right trapezius strain, chest wall contusion, and abdominal wall contusion. Our client also sprained his left foot and ankle, sustained A.C. arthrosis and degenerative labral tears, and suffered mild chronic rotator cuff tendinosis.
Car Accident -
$345,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Our client was walking on a side walk when they were hit by a car. They had shoulder surgery and a total knee replacement This is a good example as to why we need to have sufficient car insurance.
Car Accident -
$1,200,000 Medical Malpractice
Bond v. Valley Medical Center (King County, Washington) Michael Bond, a 37 year old construction worker, went into the hospital complaining of an ailment. He now has troubles swallowing, often regurgitates and has difficulty sleeping at night. According to experts, the surgeon both misread the films and performed the mediastinoscopy incorrectly
Medical Malpractice -
$20,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Plaintiff was side swiped by another car and hit on passenger side. He sustained neck, back and right elbow injuries.
Car Accident -
$425,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Early v. Hess, et. al. (King Co. Superior Court): Motor vehicle crash – Plaintiff recovered compensation in a settlement for $425,000 for a knee surgery and permanent injury, along with compensation for the risk of a future knee replacement.
Car Accident -
$850,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Despite being in the middle of the van in his wheelchair with a neck support for the back of his head, our client suffered a cervical whiplash injury. This seemingly minor injury had catastrophic consequences for our client.
Brain Injury -
$300,000 Motor Vehicle Accident
Witter v. Fireman’s Fund: Mr. Witter suffered from a fractured wrist and faced multiple wrist surgeries in the future caused from progressive post-traumatic arthritis.
Car Accident -
$2,362,000 Medical Malpractice
Jane Doe v. Hospital and Dr. Radiologist (confidentiality) A doctor and hospital agreed to pay $1,900,000 and a health insurer agreed to waive recovery of subrogation reimbursement of $462,000 as a result of a radiologist’s failure to correctly read a MRI which, if correctly read in accordance with the standard of care, would have shown a posterior communicating aneurysm and which was treatable.
Medical Malpractice -
Confidential Settlement Sexual Harassment
Jeffries v. State of Washington, et. al. (King Co. Superior Court): Plaintiff recovered lost compensation in addition to a raise and promotion from the state of Washington by reason of its failure to stop a coworker’s sexual harassment in the workplace.
Employment Law
What to Do If You Suspect Your Loved One Is the Victim of Elder Abuse
If you have noticed any signs of abuse or neglect, or if you have any reason to believe that your loved one could be the victim of elder abuse, it is important to act quickly in order to protect your loved one’s health, safety, and well-being. If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local police right away.
You can also report nursing home abuse and neglect by calling 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276) in Washington. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by live representatives. Those with speech or hearing disabilities can call the dedicated TTY line at 1-800-624-6186. Those with special telecommunication devices for hearing loss can call 1-866-363-4276 through the Washington Relay Service.
In addition to reporting the abuse, it is a good idea to contact a nursing home abuse attorney who can help you take legal action against the at-fault person/party. Elder abuse can result in severe physical, emotional, and financial harm; you, your loved one, and your family deserve justice. Our firm can help.
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What Makes Our Firm Unique
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40+ Years of
Proven Legal ExperienceWith decades of hands-on litigation and negotiation, we bring a deep understanding of how to build strong, successful cases. -
Aggressive & Personalized
RepresentationWe tailor our legal strategies to your unique situation, relentlessly pursuing the maximum compensation you're entitled to. -
Committed to Securing
Justice for Each ClientWe treat every case with the urgency and dedication it deserves, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. -
No Fees Unless
We Win Your CaseOur clients can focus on healing while we fight for results—because we only get paid when you do.
Contact Linquist & Kornfeld Today!
Do you think your parent, aunt, uncle, or other relative is suffering from elder abuse by his or her at-home caretaker or nursing home staff? Attorney Lindquist is passionate about helping his clients seek justice and compensation in the face of negligence. Nobody deserves to be the victim of elder abuse, especially if they are unable to vocalize their concerns or defend themselves. If you have an elder abuse case, we can help you gather evidence to prove the disreputable actions of the liable party.
We can come to you if you are unable to meet Neil in one of our Western Washington offices, e.g. If you are in the hospital, immobile in your home, or unable to get in to see us. Let’s try to schedule a mutually agreeable time and place to meet, or just give Neil a call to talk at no charge. We accept cases in Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Everett and the Greater Washington State Area. Plus, we take out-of-state cases.
Call (425) 657-5255 today for a free consultation, or email Neil at Neil@Kornfeldlaw.com for a quick answer to your legal questions.