Find a nursing home abuse lawyer in Tempe: who to call first and what a family can do

Who do I call if I am worried about a Tempe nursing home?

You do not need proof to ask for help. It is enough to say that something seems wrong. If your loved one is in danger right now, call 911.

Ombudsmen also make routine visits to talk with residents about their rights and concerns. If you are not sure whether to file a formal report, an ombudsman can talk it through with you.

What signs should a Tempe family watch for?

• Bedsores. Federal rules say a resident should not develop them unless their condition made it unavoidable.
• Repeated falls. Each resident must get adequate supervision and devices to prevent accidents.
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene or a change in mood.
• Bruises nobody can explain, or staff who will not leave you alone with your loved one.
• Missing money or new names on accounts.

Under Arizona law, abuse includes injury caused by negligent acts or omissions. So harm does not have to be on purpose to count. Staffing failures, missed turns and skipped medicines may all be part of a claim.

How can I look up a nursing home in Tempe?

We could not pull a reliable list of Tempe nursing homes from an official source for this page, so please look up the specific place. Arizona's facility files include the license, quality rating, statement of deficiencies, staffing information and fire and food inspection reports. Medicare gives each nursing home an overall star rating, plus separate ratings for inspections, staffing and quality.

Stars do not tell you what happened in your loved one's room. Read the actual inspection reports and ask about the dates.

What can I do this week for someone in a Tempe nursing home?

1. Write down what you see, with dates, times and staff names.
2. Take photos of injuries if your loved one agrees.
3. Ask for records. A resident or their representative can see them within 24 hours, not counting weekends and holidays.
4. Call the ombudsman at (602) 264-4357.
5. Ask for a care conference, and bring someone with you.
6. If you are moving your loved one, keep the discharge papers and the medication list.

If you signed an arbitration paper at admission, look at the date. You have 30 calendar days to cancel it, and the facility cannot require it as a condition of care.

What legal options do Tempe families have?

Arizona's vulnerable adult law allows a suit in superior court against a person or business employed to provide care. It generally must be filed within two years after actual discovery of the cause of action. A copy goes to the attorney general's office.

If your loved one has died, we are very sorry. The claim does not end with their death. An Arizona appeals court has also said family wrongful death claims are not bound by the resident's own arbitration agreement. A wrongful death suit generally must be filed within 2 years of the death.

Who pays is usually the facility's insurer or its parent company. If a public agency runs the place, a claim is due within 180 days. For a City of Tempe program, that goes to the City Clerk.

What should we ask a nursing home abuse lawyer in Tempe?

• Have you brought claims under Arizona's vulnerable adult law?
• Who owns and operates this facility?
• Can you get staffing records for the weeks in question?
• What happens with the arbitration paper we signed?

Questions