A city historically built on the lumber industry, Hoquiam is home to several attractions and events that people of all ages can enjoy. There’s a restored theater, plenty of opportunities for nature lovers and bird watchers, as well as a year-round farmer’s market and craft fair.
All of this makes Hoquiam a great place for retirees. Nearly 17 percent of the city’s population is over 65 as of 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Not surprisingly, there are nursing home facilities in the area where the elderly population can go to get the care they need.
If you’re looking for a nursing home for yourself or a loved one, you can start by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) representative or ombudsman. If you reside in Hoquiam, the nearest center is The Olympic Area Agency on Aging (O3A) in Grays Harbor County, which you can contact at 360-532-0520. You can also use Medicare.gov’s online database.
Families trust these facilities to provide a certain standard of care and service to their loved ones who need extra help and attention as they get older. Unfortunately, not all nursing home residents get this level of care, whether it is due to under-staffing or over-promised services. Some may suffer harm because of a nursing facility’s negligence or abuse by its staff.
Take Action after Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
When the caretakers to whom you entrusted the care of your loved one fail to take care of them correctly or abuse them, it’s justifiable to feel angry, wronged and vindictive. Unfortunately, what your family is going through is not uncommon. About one-third of all nursing homes are cited annually for violations of federal standards that have the potential to cause harm or that have caused actual harm to residents, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
If your loved one was victimized by nursing home abuse or neglect, your priorities will be focused on getting him or her out of the facility and into a more trustworthy one and looking into your legal options for holding the nursing home responsible for the harm it caused.
You might be entitled to file a claim or lawsuit and recover damages. Your loved one’s abuse-related medical care, financial abuse, counseling, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses are all compensable if your claim is successful. Holding the wrongdoer liable for your and your loved one’s losses won’t undo the harm, but it will help you financially and send a message loud and clear that the abuse/neglect was absolutely unacceptable.
After an initial phone consultation, attorney Ron Meyers can travel to you in Hoquiam to get started on your case. So if you would like to review your legal options, call Ron Meyers & Associates, PLLC at 844-920-2438.
