Centre County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing homes and assisted living communities in Centre County promise to provide elderly residents the quality care. Unfortunately, some facilities fail to deliver on this promise. Statistics show that elder abuse and neglect in Pennsylvania is on the rise, occurring far more frequently than most people initially realize. In fact, safety violations and neglectful care occur every single day, in spite of federal and state regulations which were implemented specifically to protect America’s senior citizens.
If you suspect that a relative is suffering due to caregiver neglect or abuse, you should immediately consult with an experienced attorney who can advocate for their legal rights and pursue financial compensation. Nursing home abuse lawyer Brent Wieand is proud to serve the residents of Centre County, including but not limited to the areas of Bellefonte, Boalsburg, Howard, State College, and Unionville.
To arrange for a completely free and confidential legal consultation, call Brent today at (215) 666-7777. Your loved one’s health and safety may depend upon it.
Why Choose Attorney Brent Wieand?
Brent Wieand is a friendly yet aggressive trial attorney who has dedicated his legal career to advocating for the rights of elderly personal injury victims, and has a proven track record of obtaining compensation for people who were injured or killed by the negligence and recklessness of others. Brent has the knowledge and experience needed to handle even highly complex multi-party medical malpractice litigation.
His success has not gone unnoticed. From 2013 through 2015, Brent was selected to Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars,” an honor owed on only 2.5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. But what distinguishes Brent most from other personal injury law firms is his commitment to serving clients. Brent does not run a law factory, but gives each client the personalized attention they deserve.
Common Causes of Nursing Home Injuries
Injuries and even wrongful death may occur as a result of under-staffing, carelessness or “negligence,” or even outright abuse. Attorney Brent Wieand represents elderly residents and patients who have been injured or killed due to issues such as:
- A preventable nursing home fall causing serious injury, such as wrist or hip fractures.
- Pressure ulcers, also called bed sores or decubitis ulcers, which develop at the facility or go untreated.
- Neglectful dietary care, resulting in severe dehydration and/or malnutrition.
- Unsupervised wandering or “elopement” from the facility’s premises.
- Adverse events resulting in wrongful death, such as infection caused by negligent wound care.
- Medication errors and dosage errors, such as over-medicating or mixing up prescriptions.
- Elder abuse, including physical, sexual, and mental abuse, as well as financial exploitation.
- Whistleblower lawsuits.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit if I Suspect Elder Abuse?
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim is two years from the date the victim was injured or killed. It is extremely important to keep this deadline in mind, because failure to file suit within the statute, or within two years of the incident, will result in your claim being barred from further legal investigation. In all but a few exceptional situations, allowing the statute to “expire” also means allowing your claim to lose its legal power.
Two years may sound like more than enough time if the death or injury just occurred. However, we encourage you to seek legal help as soon as possible. The sooner you contact Brent, the more time will remain to conduct a thorough, in-depth investigation into the circumstances of your loved one’s injury, illness, or death.
Senior Care Centers in Centre County, PA
Elder care facilities are evaluated by Medicare based on a quality-rating system. The Nursing Home Compare website tracks information on care centers in Centre County and throughout the United States, and is an excellent resource to find information concerning:
- The overall quality of care, such as the percentage of residents who develop pressure ulcers.
- The frequency with which health inspections are conducted.
- The average number of hours of care provided to residents.
- Performance on recent health and fire safety inspections.
- Staffing data, including the number of nurses and medical providers per facility.
- Any penalties assessed against the home in prior years.
Below is a list of facilities located in Centre County, PA. If your relative or loved one resides in one of these facilities, you should check the Nursing Home Compare website to see how it stacks up against other elder care communities in the area.
Brookline Village
1950 Cliffside Dr.
State College, PA 16801
Centre Crest Home
502 East Howard St.
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Foxdale Village
500 East Marilyn Ave.
State College, PA 16801
HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital
Bellefonte, PA 16823
The Hearthside Rehabilitation And Nursing Center
450 Waupelani Dr.
State College, PA 16801
Village at Penn State Retirement Community
361 President’s Dr.
State College, PA 16803
Windy Hill Village of Presbyterian Homes
200 Medical Center Dr.
Philipsburg, PA 16866
If you’re worried about caregiver abuse or neglect, the time to act is now — before the situation escalates. To start exploring your family’s legal options in a free and private case evaluation, call Brent right away at (215) 666-7777.
Disclosure: Brent Wieand’s principal office is located in Philadelphia, PA. He happily serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
