You should try to be as vigilant as possible about the care and treatment that your loved one receives in a Virginia nursing home. If you visit your loved one, you should pay attention to the state of the facility’s maintenance and staffing levels. You should also look for common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. Those signs include:

Physical Abuse – Bruises, cuts, or other marks in the same areas of the body or with similar shapes or patterns. For instance, marks around the wrists and ankles may indicate that the nursing home staff has used physical restraints on your loved one.

Emotional Abuse – An abrupt change in your loved one’s behavior may reveal that he or she suffers from this form of abuse. The sudden onset of anxiety, depression, or withdrawal is a major red flag.

Sexual Abuse – Bruising in the breast, buttocks, or genital areas, genital infections or sexually transmitted disease may indicate that your loved one has suffered sexual abuse by a staff member or fellow resident.

Neglect – Bedsores, weight loss due to malnutrition, dry and flaky skin due to dehydration, dirty bedding, unwashed clothes, and fall-related injuries all serve as signs that the facility is failing to provide the care that your loved one deserves.

You should also pay attention to your loved one’s finances and belongings. Have any odd withdrawals from your loved one’s accounts occurred? Have any clothes, jewelry, or electronics gone missing from the room? If so, your loved one may be suffering financial abuse.

If you feel any of these apply to your situation, do not wait. Call the skilled nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at Marks & Harrison for a free consultation.

Many victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia fail to report it. They may be afraid of retaliation, or they may suffer from a condition such as Alzheimer’s disease which renders them incapable of taking action. For this reason, you should be ready to act if you suspect that your loved one has suffered harm from mistreatment. Steps you can take include:

Call the police if it is an emergency. If you have any reason to believe that your loved one is the victim of a crime or faces imminent danger, you should call 911 without delay. You should be prepared to give your loved one’s name, the location of the nursing home, and a general description of what happened. You should also give the name of the individual whom you suspect of wrongdoing.

Report it to the proper authorities. If the situation is not an emergency, you should report the suspected abuse or neglect by contacting your local Department of Social Services or Virginia Adult Protective Services through its hotline at (888) 832-3858. You can also reach out to the Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at (804) 565-1600 and/or file a complaint with the Department of Health Professions at (800) 533-1560.

Get help from an attorney. If you have any confusion about what to do next and need guidance, you should contact Marks & Harrison without delay. We will help you to deal with the nursing home, report the suspected mistreatment to the proper authorities and take any other steps to immediately protect your loved one.

If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, it’s understandable to wonder whether you have a case. In many situations, the injuries caused by another person’s actions—whether in a car accident, slip and fall, or even due to a faulty product—can lead to a valid personal injury claim. In these cases, the person or company responsible for your injury may be legally liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Determining whether you have a personal injury case depends on the specifics of the situation. It can be difficult to know on your own, but that’s where we come in. We’re here to help you evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process. With our experience and compassionate approach, we’ll work with you to gather the necessary evidence, understand the extent of your injuries, and decide the best course of action for seeking justice.

If you’re wondering if you have a case or just need expert legal advice, call Marks & Harrison today. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your options, free of charge.

Every state has a specific deadline by which accident victims must file a personal injury claim. This is called a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Virginia for most personal injury claims is two years. This is the deadline that your claim must be filed in court. If you miss this time limit, the court can bar you from filing your claim, no matter how clear the defendant’s liability was in your case. A Richmond personal injury attorney can figure this out.

There are specific circumstances when the statute of limitations may be shorter, such as if the claim is against the government. There are also exceptions when the statute of limitations may be longer, such as if a minor was injured.

We understand that after an injury, the last thing on your mind may be navigating deadlines and paperwork. That’s why we make it a priority to assist you in meeting all important timelines and to start working on your case as soon as possible. Our team is here to ensure you don’t miss out on your opportunity for justice, while also helping you focus on your recovery.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—contact Marks & Harrison as soon as possible to ensure your case is handled on time. Our team will guide you through the legal process with care and efficiency.

Paying for a lawyer shouldn’t be an additional burden when you’re already dealing with the aftermath of an injury. That’s why the skilled attorneys at Marks & Harrison work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t owe any attorney fees upfront. Instead, we only collect a fee if we successfully secure compensation for you—usually as a percentage of the settlement or verdict.

We believe you should be able to access legal representation without worrying about paying out of pocket. Our focus is on helping you get the compensation you deserve, without adding stress to an already challenging situation. With our contingency fee arrangement, you can pursue your case with peace of mind, knowing that we are committed to fighting for you, regardless of your financial situation.

If you have questions about how our contingency fee system works or want to get started, contact Marks & Harrison today. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your options.

You may be wondering if the severity of your injuries affects whether you can file a personal injury claim. The truth is that the severity of your injuries doesn’t necessarily determine whether you can pursue a claim—it’s more about whether someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions caused your injury. Whether your injury is minor or more severe, if it was caused by another person’s actions, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

That being said, more severe injuries often result in larger claims due to higher medical expenses, long-term treatment needs, and greater impact on your daily life. However, even if your injuries are less severe, you may still face medical costs, pain, and lost income that deserve compensation. At Marks & Harrison, we believe every case is unique, and we are here to evaluate your situation and fight for the justice you deserve, no matter how serious your injury may be.

If you’re unsure whether your injuries qualify for a personal injury claim, contact Marks & Harrison today. We offer a free consultation to help you understand your options and ensure you’re on the right path to recovery.

In a personal injury case, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, known as “damages.” These can include payment for your medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, and future treatments. You may also be able to recover lost wages if you’ve had to miss work because of your injuries. In addition, compensation can be awarded for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the negative impact the injury has had on your quality of life.

Each personal injury case is different. Each case involves different victims, injuries, and circumstances. One person in a car accident may suffer different injuries than another person in the same type of accident. Even if the victim had pre-existing injuries, Virginia’s personal injury laws recognize that the defendant must take the victim as they find them. Therefore, the victim can still pursue compensation for the harm they have suffered.

If you’re ready to discuss the damages you may be entitled to and take the first step toward recovery, contact Marks & Harrison today. We’re here to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

The length of a personal injury case can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the complexity of your injuries, whether liability is disputed, and whether the case needs to go to trial. While some cases settle quickly, others may take longer, especially if negotiations are difficult or if there are multiple parties involved. On average, personal injury cases can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve.

We know that the uncertainty of how long your case will take can be frustrating, especially when you’re dealing with ongoing pain or financial challenges. Our team is here to keep you informed and provide regular updates about your case’s progress. Our goal is always to resolve your case as efficiently as possible, while ensuring you get the compensation and justice you deserve. You can trust us to handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery.

If you’d like to discuss your case timeline or learn more about the process, reach out to Marks & Harrison. We’re happy to provide you with an honest assessment and clear guidance.