Albuquerque Nursing Home Negligence Attorney

Seeking Justice and Serious Representation for Older Adults in Bernalillo County

Placing an older loved one in an assisted living facility is a decision rooted in trust and the hope for peace of mind. While we entrust nursing homes to provide quality care in a safe, comfortable living environment, the reality is that nursing home negligence is a pervasive and heartbreaking problem in the U.S., including New Mexico. If you or a loved one was harmed by nursing home negligence in Albuquerque, consulting a reputable and experienced nursing home negligence lawyer is paramount to protecting your family’s rights and restoring their safety.

At the Law Office of Nathan Cobb, we believe serious injuries deserve serious representation. With over 15 years of dedicated experience, Attorney Nathan Cobb is not only well-versed in the complex legal nuances of these sensitive cases but is also an accomplished litigator. Recognized on the prestigious New Mexico Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2017, Nathan Cobb is an award-winning advocate who never shies away from a trial if that’s what it takes to secure a fair and just settlement for your family. Since 2008, the Law Office of Nathan Cobb has forged a winning track record of results for clients in Albuquerque and throughout Bernalillo County, empowering them to reclaim their lives after suffering wrongful injuries.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse or neglect in Albuquerque, call (505) 225-8880 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our compassionate and trial-ready attorney.

Is Nursing Home Negligence Common in Albuquerque?

Alarmingly, nursing home negligence is a prevalent issue in New Mexico. After conducting unannounced inspections in May 2024, state authorities reported at least one violation in 88% of New Mexico nursing homes. Worryingly, this included two facilities in Albuquerque that failed their inspections entirely. This stark statistic underscores the urgent need for vigilant legal advocates. Securing experienced representation from a firm like the Law Office of Nathan Cobb, with its deep understanding of New Mexico's laws and commitment to holding negligent parties accountable, is essential to restoring your loved one’s safety and well-being.

Common Nursing Home Injuries

Nursing homes must be fully staffed with well-trained, compassionate employees to ensure the safety and dignity of their residents. Unfortunately, many assisted living facilities suffer from understaffing, inadequate training, and a lack of resources to properly care for the older adults who depend on them.

This dereliction of duty significantly increases the risks of serious accidents and injuries, such as:

• Falls (often preventable with proper assistance and safety measures)
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers), which are a common sign of neglect
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
• Medication errors (wrong dosage, wrong medication, missed medication)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Preventable infections and illnesses due to poor hygiene or lack of care
• Elopement (wandering off the premises unsupervised)

In the most tragic cases, negligence in nursing homes can lead to fatalities, opening the door to wrongful death lawsuits. No matter the type, cause, or severity of the injury, please do not hesitate to contact our firm. We provide the compassionate counsel your family deserves and will fight tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable for the suffering they have caused.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect is critical to protecting the health, safety, and dignity of older adults. Be observant and look for these common indicators:

• Unexplained or frequent injuries, such as bedsores (pressure ulcers), bruises, welts, cuts, sprains, or fractures.
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss (could indicate malnutrition or dehydration).
• Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions (dirty rooms, soiled bedding, strong odors).
• Untreated infections, illnesses, or other medical conditions.
• Poor personal hygiene, such as soiled clothing, unbathed appearance, or overgrown nails.
• Withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, or agitation, especially around certain staff members.
• Reluctance to speak or unexplained changes in communication.
• Staff refusing or delaying access to your loved one.
• Witnessing staff being verbally or physically aggressive.
• Avoidance of care, such as not calling a doctor or nurse when needed by the resident.

If an older friend or relative exhibits any of these signs, taking swift legal action by consulting with an experienced nursing home negligence lawyer is imperative to protect their safety and well-being. Our team can aggressively pursue justice on your behalf, freeing your family to focus on healing.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse?

Nursing home negligence occurs when a facility or its staff fails to provide the legally required standard of care to its residents, resulting in harm or injury. This can manifest in various devastating ways, from emotional neglect to direct physical harm and financial exploitation. Common examples include:

• Emotional Abuse: This includes verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, harassment, intimidation, isolation, and other coercive behaviors leading to psychological control and severe emotional distress in residents.
• Physical Abuse: Some examples include hitting, slapping, shoving, improper use of physical or chemical restraints, refusing to administer necessary medications, or denying assistance to residents with limited mobility, as well as deprivation of food or water.
• Sexual Abuse: This refers to any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, violating their safety, dignity, and rights. Sexual abuse can range from inappropriate touching or fondling to rape and sexual assault.
• Financial Abuse/Exploitation: This occurs when facilities or staff members manipulate, deceive, or coerce residents to gain control of their assets, leading to the misuse, misappropriation, or theft of their financial resources.
• Neglect: This is the failure to meet the basic needs of residents by not providing necessary care, such as adequate food and water, proper medical attention, hygiene assistance, a safe environment, or assistance with daily living activities. This also includes failure to protect residents from hazards.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for Nursing Home Negligence?

While every case is unique, victims of nursing home negligence and their families may be entitled to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses (past, current, and future related to the injury).
• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish).
• Disability or disfigurement.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Cost of moving to a new facility or for alternative care.
• In cases of wrongful death, compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages allowed under New Mexico law.

Attorney Nathan Cobb will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your case to determine the full extent of damages you may be entitled to pursue.