Elderly Neglect and Abuse Lawyers The thought of nursing home abuse can be almost incomprehensible to family members. Nursing homes assume a fiduciary relationship (special trust relationship) with residents when they accept financial compensation under a contractual agreement to provide for the care of elderly and disabled residents. Nursing homes do not take on the […]
The thought of nursing home abuse can be almost incomprehensible to family members. Nursing homes assume a fiduciary relationship (special trust relationship) with residents when they accept financial compensation under a contractual agreement to provide for the care of elderly and disabled residents. Nursing homes do not take on the task of caring for our elderly and disabled loved ones simply because they are benevolent organizations: On the contrary, nursing and rehabilitation facilities are lucrative businesses that, in exchange for compensation, make a promise to provide basic care to seniors unable to provide for their own needs and to ensure a safe environment free from abuse, neglect, physical assaults, and threats.
Families looking for answers about why their loved ones fell victim to abuse or neglect struggle to understand the factors that lead nursing homes to violate this special trust relationship and disregard their responsibility to provide reasonable care and protection to residents. Whether the neglect or abuse is the result of inadvertent or intentional malfeasance, the effects are devastating all the same. While there are many factors that contribute to nursing home abuse, including a focus on profits over quality of care, challenges of caring for seniors by staff with limited training and resources, and staff members who are stressed out or exhausted, the common thread is that these factors are largely due to administrative inadequacies and shortcomings.
Abuse and neglect of elderly and disabled adults in nursing homes is tragic, but the nursing home neglect lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP can help you to seek justice in these unfortunate situations. We’re a nationwide law firm with vast experience handling nursing home neglect cases, and we are passionately dedicated to advocating for victims and their families. When our nursing home injury lawyers investigate incidents of mistreatment in long-term care facilities, we frequently discover that nursing homes engage in systematic patterns of understaffing because they prioritize profits over quality of care. With our help, you can hold them accountable for their actions.
When taking on nursing homes, the clients of Parker Waichman want the resources of a large national law firm and 350 years of experience representing victims injured through indifference, carelessness or intentional wrongful acts. Our law firm is one of the few in the United States that has recovered more than $2 billion for our clients.
Along with our experience and track record of successful verdicts and settlements for injury victims, our law firm has developed a leading reputation because of our focus on communication with our clients. We recognize that lack of communication and the failure to return telephone calls constitutes the most common complaint about nursing home attorneys. We know that nursing home residents who have been the victims of abuse or chronic neglect will have fears, concerns, and anxiety about the future. Our general policy is to return client calls the same business day or the next business day. We also provide periodic updates so that you are kept informed about the status of your case.
National recognition received by our firm has included:
Nursing home abuse can take several forms, but generally, it is the mistreatment or exploitation of vulnerable seniors by caregivers of the facility. Due to residents of nursing homes being dependent upon the staff for basic needs, these residents are particularly vulnerable to abuse from overworked and undertrained staff members. When your elderly or disabled loved ones are abused or neglected by the people you trusted to care for them and their needs, the feeling of betrayal can be overwhelming. When residents of nursing homes are mistreated, it can be particularly devastating because many of them do not possess the ability to process what is being done to them or properly report it.
There are many types of abuse in nursing homes, but some of the most prevalent examples of what is considered nursing home neglect include:
The definition of physical abuse in a nursing home is both the intentional and inappropriate application of physical force against an elderly resident of a nursing home that has the potential to cause pain, injury or even wrongful death. The use of physical abuse against seniors in nursing homes is especially unacceptable because elderly residents frequently are more susceptible to injury. The potential for broken bones or fractures in older adults is much higher, and their recovery time is generally much longer. Elderly physical abuse can vary, ranging from something relatively mild, such as a slap or push, to something far more extreme, like kicking or beating. However, any form that physical abuse takes should not be tolerated, as it can easily lead to significant harm to a nursing home resident.
Some acts of physical abuse that are frequently seen in nursing homes include:
As detestable as this list of acts taking place in a nursing home is, these are real-life instances of physical abuse.
As unimaginable and distasteful as this particular form of nursing home abuse may seem, sexual abuse is a very real occurrence in nursing homes throughout the country. Any non-consensual sexual conduct or interaction is considered nursing home sexual abuse. Staff members at nursing homes have the capability of using their position to exercise dominance, authority, and power over ill or frail residents who lack the ability to consent, making the situation extremely problematic. If you suspect that a loved one is being taken advantage of in this way, contact a nursing home sexual abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Some examples of nursing home sexual abuse include:
Emotional or mental abuse in a nursing home can be particularly insidious because it is less likely to leave physical signs, which makes it harder to detect. Emotional abuse is never appropriate, and the offensive nature of this form of verbal or psychological mistreatment is exacerbated by the fact that residents of nursing homes are dependent on staff members for their needs.
Like other forms of nursing home abuse, emotional abuse may take a variety of forms:
Emotional abuse can cause the brain to release cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Too much cortisol can cause issues such as depression, avoidance of others, and memory impairment.
Financial exploitation or abuse involves other residents, staff, visitors or administrators at the nursing home taking or using the property, money or credit of a resident for an unapproved use or to defraud the resident. Financial exploitation is defined as the wrongful misappropriation of a person’s finances or assets for another’s benefit. A resident’s finances or property may be misused because the senior is incapacitated and unable to give lawful consent or the senior is exposed to intimidation, manipulation or deceit. Some of the more typical forms of nursing home financial abuse include:
Although many elderly residents and families pay thousands of dollars a month for around-the-clock professional care, massive verdicts against nursing homes across the United States appear routinely in media reports. Tragic accounts of physical abuse, sexual assault, violence, and chronic neglect that result in physical injury, emotional distress, dangerous falls, starvation, and declining health are far too common. The magnitude of nursing home abuse becomes clear when considering some startling statistics from the National Center on Elder Abuse:
This data is reinforced by a study prepared by the Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee:
As incomprehensible as nursing home abuse may seem, these horrific acts are far more pervasive than most people would imagine. Recent research indicates that almost 45 percent of nursing home residents have experienced a form of abuse, while almost half believe that they have been treated in a rough manner by staff. Despite the frequency with which nursing home abuse occurs, the magnitude of the problem is far greater than this data indicates because many acts of nursing home abuse go unreported.
A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services characterized the problem this way: “Studies of the processes states use to detect, investigate, resolve, and prevent elder mistreatment in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and board and care homes are deeply flawed. As a result, estimates of elder abuse and neglect are lower than the actual prevalence, and the process must be strengthened to protect residents.”
While it is impossible to know the extent of the underreporting problem, there are reasons to believe that it is widespread. Staff members and nursing homes have little incentive to report violations because of exposure to fines, civil liability, and criminal penalties. Many seniors also are hesitant or unable to report nursing home abuse. Obstacles to accurate reporting include a variety of factors, such as:
Some sense of the scope of the inaccuracy associated with reporting of elder abuse in nursing homes is provided by a study that focused on New York nursing homes. The study revealed that for every incident of nursing home abuse that was reported, 24 other incidents of abuse went unreported. When limited to cases of neglect, the underreporting was even more extensive, with only one in 57 incidents being reported.
What many people with aging parents or other elderly loved ones in nursing homes might be surprised to learn is that nursing home abuse is so prevalent that even staff members acknowledge that it is a common occurrence. A nursing home survey found that half of the staff members surveyed indicated that they had mistreated elderly residents during the previous 12-month period, either through some form of intentional abuse or inadvertent neglect. Another survey of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) found that 17 percent admitted that they had pushed, shoved or grabbed a nursing home resident. Almost a third of the CNAs in this survey indicated that they had insulted a resident or assailed them with profanities.
A review of nursing home citations for abuse and neglect violations showed that one in three nursing homes received a formal citation for practices that amount to abuse, including gross neglect. This abuse can take many forms, but the frequencies with which the most common forms of abuse occur break down as indicated below:
Physical abuse | 29 percent |
Abuse by another resident (inadequate supervision) | 29 percent |
Psychological abuse | 21 percent |
Gross neglect | 14 percent |
Financial exploitation | 7 percent |
Sexual abuse | 7 percent |
Residents in nursing home facilities are protected by a variety of state and federal laws and regulations. These provisions provide a safeguard against abuse and neglect while protecting the security and privacy of seniors in these facilities. Because of rising reports of nursing home mistreatment of residents, Congress passed legislation in 1987 that required nursing homes to abide by specific mandates if they accepted Medicare or Medicaid for residents.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 (Nursing Home Reform Act) defines specific standards of care for nursing homes. The federal statute directs these facilities to “provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychological well-being of each resident in accordance with a written plan of care.” If a long-term care facility participates in Medicare/Medicaid, the facility must comply with applicable federal regulations.
When a resident in a nursing home facility is injured because of the negligence of staff, management or ownership, the injured resident might be entitled to compensation. Long-term care facilities also can be liable for substandard care, abuse or other violations of federal law that result in harm to residents. Some states impose even more stringent regulations for nursing homes that accept Medicare/Medicaid.
Tragically, neglect and abuse in nursing homes across the United States cause preventable debilitating illnesses, serious injuries, and wrongful deaths. Most forms of mistreatment in long-term care facilities are rooted in economics. The shift to corporate-owned nursing homes has resulted in large corporate facilities operated by entities and individuals with limited experience in the health-care sector of the economy. This lack of experience and corporate ownership leads to a focus on cutting operating costs to maximize profits. The factors that contribute to nursing home abuse and neglect include:
If you observe signs of nursing home abuse when visiting your elderly loved one, such as loss of weight, infections, bedsores, lack of hygiene or cleanliness, sudden changes in mood or temperament or similar indications, you should speak to your loved one privately to determine if there are abuse or neglect issues. If you cannot tell for sure if abuse is occurring or your elderly family member’s ability to understand or communicate is impacted by a medical condition, you should consider taking your loved one to a physician, notifying the police, and contacting a nursing home negligence attorney to discuss potentially filing charges over the neglect or abuse.
The most common forms of nursing home neglect are:
Yes. A nursing home, long-term care facility or assisted living facility can be held legally responsible in the event that negligence, neglect or abuse is reported by a resident or the family of a resident.
You can sue a nursing home or assisted living facility for neglect when the substandard care ends up causing harm to a patient or resident. There are a number of safety and medical issues that can arise from neglect or medical malpractice in a nursing home. If you aren’t sure if you have a case, contact a nursing home injury attorney at our law firm for a free consultation.
Statistics show that around 95% of lawsuits related to nursing home abuse end in settlements. Furthermore, one study revealed that in 61% of cases in which a plaintiff turned down a settlement offer, they received less from the trial verdict.
Nursing home lawsuit settlements average about $400,000, but they can vary greatly from case to case.
The length of time it takes to settle an elder abuse lawsuit is dependent on many different factors, including the complexity of the case. It can often take 18 months or longer to reach a settlement in assisted living negligence cases.
If you’re considering contacting a retirement home attorney and suing a nursing home for negligence, the only people who are able to sue are the person being abused, family members who either have witnessed the abuse or have power of attorney, spouses, and guardians. These people can all be plaintiffs in a nursing home lawsuit.
The procedure for making a formal complaint against a nursing home for abuse, neglect or any other reason can vary by state but typically involves contacting a state government agency. For instance, in New York, nursing home complaints are handled by the state Department of Health.
To report suspected neglect in a nursing home, contact your state adult protective services office or call the Eldercare Locator hotline at 1-800-677-1116. You can also seek help from your state’s long-term care ombudsman.
In order to file a legal claim against a nursing home, contact an experienced nursing home negligence lawyer, who can handle your lawsuit from start to finish to make sure that your rights are protected.
How long you have to file a lawsuit against a nursing home will vary based on the type of abuse and which state you’re in. Personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death all have their own statutes of limitations, and those change on a state-to-state basis.
Elder abuse and neglect can be tricky to prove, as many of the indicating factors for abuse can resemble injuries common among the elderly. A key part of your case will likely be documentation of things like unexplained injuries, bedsores that do not heal, and unexplained weight loss.
The three most common complaints about nursing homes are the staff’s delayed response to calls, a lack of social interaction with both family and other residents, and low-quality food.
Family members should be aware of the signs of abuse and how to spot them and visit frequently to check up on their loved ones. Nursing homes can help prevent abuse by implementing a monitoring system, setting strict care policies and guidelines, hiring an adequate amount of staff, and making sure that staff receive proper training.
It is estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse, or 7%, are actually reported. Sadly, nursing home abuse is more common than we would like to imagine.
Abuse of the elderly is considered a third-degree felony in New York. If you suspect elder abuse, you should report it as soon as possible, then get in contact with a senior living abuse lawyer to determine your next steps.
Yes, it is possible to be evicted from a nursing home. However, it is only allowed for specific reasons, and the nursing home must comply with strict procedures for doing so.
Neglect is the most common type of elder abuse. This is often due to low staffing numbers that prevent caregivers from providing patients with the care and attention needed. Regardless, it’s an institution’s duty to provide adequate staffing to keep residents safe.
Urinary tract infections are the most common infections found in nursing homes.
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are the most common causes of death in nursing homes.
If a resident is becoming aggressive, the nursing home staff should approach them with a calm tone of voice while still maintaining a safe distance. If the resident remains aggressive, the caregiver should either seek assistance from another employee or leave and come back later.
Yes. Nursing homes can be held liable for slip and fall accidents that take place on their premises.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if there are shortages of testing capacity, “Priority facilities may include those with confirmed cases, those in counties with high incidence, those with the ability to cohort residents who are found to be positive, larger facilities, and facilities with more patients with recent health-care exposures (e.g., recent hospitalization or outpatient dialysis). If a facility identifies additional cases through facility-wide testing, then that facility should be prioritized for repeat testing of negative residents.”
If a resident is showing symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that the resident be moved to a single room until testing can confirm whether or not they are infected. While waiting for the test results to come back, the resident should wear a face mask to ensure that they do not potentially spread the illness to others.
Residents of nursing homes should self-isolate as much as possible. Those who begin to show symptoms should also have a separate bathroom. Bedrooms and bathrooms of residents showing symptoms should be cleaned on an as-needed basis.
Yes, but anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms should not be permitted to enter. Furthermore, all visitors must wear a face mask at all times and limit their visit to the room of the resident they’re visiting.
If you’re looking for a “nursing home neglect attorney near me,” you’ll be comforted to know that the attorneys at our elder abuse law firm represent nursing home abuse and neglect victims throughout the United States from our offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Florida, and New Jersey. We invite you to speak with our nursing home lawsuit lawyers for more information and a free consultation. Contact us at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER or fill out our case inquiry form today.
Page updated by Jerry Parker