How to Take Action Against Nursing Home Negligence Today

When you entrust a nursing home with the care of a loved one, you’re placing your faith in trained professionals to offer comfort, compassion, and medical support. Sadly, not all facilities live up to that responsibility. In cities like Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and other parts of Alabama, cases of nursing home negligence and abuse are more common than many people realize.

If you suspect that a family member is being mistreated, it’s essential to take immediate action. Below, we will show you how to recognize nursing home negligence, steps you can take to protect your loved one, and how the legal team at Burge & Burge, PC can help.

Need immediate legal help? Call us today at 205-251-9000.

What Is Nursing Home Negligence?

Nursing home negligence happens when caregivers fail to provide the standard level of care that residents are entitled to, resulting in physical or emotional harm. This is considered professional negligence, and it’s a serious breach of trust and professional duty of care.

Common Examples of Nursing Home Negligence:

• Ignoring or delaying medical care
• Not helping with basic hygiene or meals
• Letting residents fall or suffer injuries
• Failing to prevent or treat bedsores
• Emotional neglect or verbal abuse

Understanding what is professional negligence is key. It’s not just about a mistake—it’s about a failure to meet professional standards that leads to harm.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Family members are often the first to notice something isn’t right. If you see any of these red flags, take them seriously:

• Sudden weight loss or dehydration
  

• Poor hygiene or soiled clothing/bed linens
  

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or infections
  

• Withdrawal, depression, or fearfulness
  

• Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
  

• Delayed or evasive communication from staff

Even one of these signs could be a symptom of a larger problem—and potential grounds for professional negligence claims.

Step-by-Step: What to Do if You Suspect Negligence

Talk to Your Loved One

Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully. Victims of neglect or abuse may be afraid to speak up, especially if caregivers are present.

Document Everything

Take photos of injuries or poor conditions. Save medical records, medication lists, or notes from visits. Documenting evidence is crucial if you plan to consult a nursing home abuse lawyer.

Report the Abuse

In Alabama, you can file a complaint through:

• The Alabama Department of Public Health
  
• Your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  
• Adult Protective Services (APS)
  

These agencies can initiate investigations and issue sanctions if necessary.

Seek Legal Help from Professionals

This is where Burge Law steps in. As leading medical negligence  and injury lawyers in Birmingham, we can help you build a strong case and hold negligent caregivers accountable.

Why Legal Action Matters

You might feel guilty or overwhelmed, but taking legal action is often the only way to ensure justice and protect other vulnerable residents. A successful case can result in:

• Financial compensation for pain, suffering, or medical bills
• Policy changes at the negligent facility
• Relocation assistance for your loved one

Pursuing a claim with the help of experienced malpractice lawyers near me not only holds wrongdoers accountable—it can prevent future tragedies.

How We Handle Professional Negligence Claims

At Burge & Burge, PC, we are focused on nursing home negligence in Birmingham and across surrounding areas. Our legal process is compassionate, thorough, and aggressive when needed.

Here’s what we’ll do:

• Review your case for free
• Investigate thoroughly using expert witnesses and medical records
• Negotiate aggressively with nursing homes and insurers
• File lawsuits if necessary to secure fair compensation

We handle every case with the dignity and urgency it deserves. Whether it’s a small facility in Homewood or a larger one in Mountain Brook, we fight for your loved one’s rights.

Call now: 205-251-9000, 800-633-3733 to speak with our nursing home negligence team.

Who Can File a Claim?

In Alabama, you may be eligible to file a medical negligence claim on behalf of:

• A parent or grandparent in care
• A spouse or sibling
• A deceased loved one (in wrongful death cases)

Alabama has strict statutes of limitations for negligence and malpractice cases, so the sooner you act, the better.

The Difference Between Negligence and Malpractice

Many clients ask: “Is there a difference between negligence and medical malpractice?”

Yes. While both involve a breach of professional duty of care, malpractice typically involves a medical professional like a nurse or doctor making a serious error in treatment or diagnosis. Medical negligence, on the other hand, could include failures in day-to-day care, like not helping a resident eat or bathe.

If you’re unsure which applies, speaking with a qualified medical malpractice lawyer can help clarify your legal options.

Why Choose Burge & Burge, PC?

With decades of experience in medical negligence, we understand the sensitive nature of nursing home abuse cases. Our team is dedicated to:

• Personalized legal representation
• Transparent communication
• Protecting vulnerable elders and their families
• Serving clients across Birmingham, Hoover, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills
  

We believe everyone deserves dignity in their final years—and we fight hard to make sure they get it.

Let’s Take Action Together

If you suspect nursing home negligence in Birmingham or surrounding areas, don’t wait. Protecting your loved one starts with one phone call Burge & Burge, PC at 205-251-9000

You don’t have to face this alone. Our experienced team of medical negligence lawyers is here to guide you every step of the way.