Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect

Suing a Nursing Home for Negligence

Taking legal action against a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other long-term care facility is a way to seek justice for your loved one’s suffering.

It can also help encourage better care standards. Further, by suing a nursing home for negligence, you may be able to secure financial compensation to help cover the costs that often arise after a loved one is harmed.

Remember: it’s important to act quickly when a loved one is being neglected. Report nursing home neglect or abuse to 911 in the event of a medical emergency.

When you know your loved one is safe, reach out to our team to see if suing a nursing home for negligence could be an option for your family.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with a nationwide network of experienced nursing home law firms. Together, they have recovered over $318 million for families harmed by nursing home neglect and abuse.

Get a free case review right now to find out if we can help your family.

How Much Can You Get for Suing a Nursing Home?

Each case is different, so nursing home case values vary. The amount of money you could receive from suing a nursing home for negligence will depend on factors unique to your case, like the extent of harm your loved one suffered.

Average nursing home neglect settlements and verdicts award about $400,000, according to a study by the medical journal Health Affairs.

Our legal partners secured these nursing home lawsuit awards:

$18.2 million

for a Rhode Island resident who suffered a heart attack in care

$2 million

for a California woman with dementia who died from lack of care

$1.8 million

on behalf of a Massachusetts man who died in a fire from neglect

$1.5 million

for a Minnesota woman with stage 4 bedsores

$1.2 million

on behalf of an Indiana nursing home patient

$1 million

to a man whose mother passed away in a California facility

$890,000

for a woman in Kentucky who suffered nursing home abuse

$1.1 million

for a Florida woman who suffered a heart attack in care

$500,000

on behalf of a New York patient with diabetes

$600,000

for an Alzheimer’s patient in Massachusetts

$1.4 million

to an Alabama resident with a shoulder injury

$2 million

for a Massachusetts woman who died from a catheter infection

For many families, working with an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer helped increase their payout.

Call us at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat to find out if we can connect you.

Suing a Nursing Home for Neglect vs. Abuse

Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse. They share common causes, like negligent hiring practices, lack of staff training, and understaffing.

Nursing home abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms a resident of a care facility. Nursing home neglect is usually not intentional, but it can be just as harmful.

In cases of neglect, nursing homes may fail to:

Care for wounds, especially stage 4 bedsores
Change a resident’s clothes or bedding
Comply with laws on using physical or chemical restraints
Ensure residents are protected from burns or scalding injuries
Give residents enough food or water, leading to dehydration or malnutrition
Help residents when they ask for assistance
Keep the nursing home clean and safe
Uphold staffing levels required to provide proper care

Neglect in the facilities families count on to provide proper care is never acceptable. Don’t let your loved one’s suffering go unnoticed.

Get a free case review right now to find out your options for suing a facility for nursing home negligence or abuse.

Worried About Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

When you're ready to act, here’s what to expect:

1. Spot Red Flags Before It’s Too Late
Look for bedsores, confusion, weight loss, fear, or silence.
2. Reach Out to Our Team, Day or Night
Speak with a trained advocate who listens and understands.
3. Our Legal Partners File Your Lawsuit
We handle the paperwork and figure out who’s responsible.
4. You Get Help — and Money If We Win
Receive financial compensation and get justice.

Types of Neglect in Nursing Homes

There are several broad types of nursing home abuse or neglect. Taking legal action may be possible if any type harmed your loved one. Learn more about the common types of nursing home neglect below.

Medical Neglect at Nursing Homes

This form of neglect happens when staff fail to meet a resident’s medical needs, like not giving medications on time, ignoring infections, or delaying treatment after a fall or emergency.

These medical mistakes can cause serious harm or even death. When medical care falls below professional standards, it may be considered nursing home medical malpractice.

Neglect of Basic Needs

Every nursing home must provide residents with enough food, water, and personal care. Staff who ignore hygiene or leave residents in soiled clothes are neglecting basic human needs.

This kind of neglect often signals deeper issues with training, supervision, or staffing. It also violates residents’ rights to dignity, respect, and proper care, which are protected by federal and state regulations.

Neglect of Safety

Neglect of safety occurs when a facility fails to protect residents from preventable harm.

Unsafe conditions can lead to serious injuries, including:

Bedrail injuries from entrapment, improper use, or lack of supervision
Burn injuries from hot water, fires, or faulty equipment
Falls in nursing homes from poor supervision or hazards in walkways
Fractures or broken bones from improper transfers
Head injuries from slipping or falling out of bed
Infections that develop due to unclean or unsafe environments

When facilities fail to maintain a safe environment, residents face unnecessary risks. Families can take legal action to hold negligent nursing homes accountable.

How to Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence

Suing a nursing home for negligence is done through a civil lawsuit. By filing a nursing home lawsuit, you can hold care facilities accountable for harming residents.

Working with a skilled nursing home lawyer means you’ll be guided through the legal process so your family can begin to heal.

Steps for Suing a Nursing Home for Negligence

Here is how to begin your nursing home neglect lawsuit.

Work with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney. These skilled personal injury attorneys can listen to the details of your case and pursue a legal claim on your behalf if you qualify. Get a free case review right now to find out if we can connect you.
Collect evidence. Your lawyer will investigate your claim to determine how your loved one was hurt, gather facts about the case, and assess your losses.
File the lawsuit. Your nursing home neglect attorney will file the lawsuit on your behalf before any deadlines.
Enter nursing home settlement negotiations. Your lawyer will begin back-and-forth communications with the lawyers for the care facility with the goal of securing a nursing home settlement.
Take your case to trial. While nursing home neglect lawsuits usually settle out of court, if an agreement is not reached, your case may go to trial for a verdict. A skilled nursing home lawyer can argue your case to help convince the judge or jury to rule in your favor.

Regardless of the specifics of your case, a skilled nursing home lawyer will fight to get you maximum compensation as quickly as possible.

Take the first step with a free consultation for a nursing home neglect lawsuit right now.

Who Can Sue for Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home residents and close family members are usually the parties involved in suing a nursing home for negligence. However, other parties may also be able to sue a nursing home for negligence.

Those who can sue for nursing home neglect may include:

The victim
Family member of the victim
Power of attorney
Estate representative

Nursing home lawyers typically file a personal injury lawsuit when a resident has suffered injury or harm.

If a resident you love died from nursing home negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf

Average nursing home wrongful death settlements and verdicts can reach millions of dollars in some cases.

If someone you love has experienced nursing home neglect or abuse, choosing the right attorney is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The process can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to ask can make it easier.

Download our free checklist for hiring a nursing home attorney to get clear, practical questions that help you find the best lawyer for your family’s case and peace of mind.

Free Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Checklist

Download our free checklist for the questions that matter most when choosing a nursing home lawyer.

Get Your Free Checklist Now

When Should You Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence?

Suing a nursing home for negligence is easier if it’s done sooner rather than later. You might not be able to take legal action if you wait too long.

State laws, known as statutes of limitations, limit the amount of time you have to take legal action. In most states, this is usually 2 or 3 years. Generally, the statute of limitations begins to run on the date the injury or death occurs.

An experienced nursing home neglect lawyer can help you file your case before time runs out.

“You don’t need to have all the answers to take action. A lawyer for nursing home neglect can listen to your concerns and help determine if your loved one’s rights may have been violated.”

— Ricky LeBlanc, nursing home neglect lawyer

In general, you should reach out to a law firm as soon as you see any warning signs of neglect or abuse to seek legal advice.

Our trusted advocates can help you and your loved one take legal action. Call us today at (855) 264-6310.

Legal Help for Suing a Nursing Home for Negligence

Nursing homes and their staff are in a position of trust. When that trust is broken, it can have devastating consequences for residents and families.

If you think your loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, you may need to take legal action to protect them. Suing a nursing home for negligence can help you and your family afford medical treatment and other expenses.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center has experienced legal partners who can help in all 50 states. Together, they have secured over $318 million for nursing home abuse and neglect for families across the country.

Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 or fill out this form to find out if you can file a nursing home neglect case.

FAQs | Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect?

Can I sue a nursing home for neglect?

Yes, if you or a loved one was harmed by a negligent nursing home, you may be able to sue for negligence. For the most favorable outcome, work with a skilled nursing home law firm with experience handling similar cases.

Is it difficult to sue a nursing home for neglect?

Suing a nursing home for negligence is not as hard with an experienced nursing home attorney on your side. They can help you sue a nursing home for neglect with less hassle and stress.

Personal injury lawyers who have handled past nursing home cases will work to get the maximum compensation possible for you.

What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a nursing home?

Working with a nursing home lawyer who understands both state and federal care standards can make it easier to sue a nursing home for negligence.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with experienced lawyers nationwide who can help families like yours, no matter where you live.

Call us at (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat right now to see if we can connect you.

How common is nursing home neglect?

Nursing home neglect is unfortunately common. Around 12% of nursing home caregivers admitted to neglecting residents, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This rate is slightly higher than the 11.6% reported by residents themselves or their loved ones.

What are some reasons to sue a nursing home?

Suing a nursing home for negligence is often vital to help your loved one.

By suing a nursing home for negligence, you may be able to:

Afford medical care: Compensation from a successful case can help cover the nursing home resident’s medical expenses.
Hold facilities accountable: Lawsuits can help start the healing process, as you’ll be able to take real action against the nursing home facility.
Enact change: Suing may force the long-term care facility to make changes so other residents are not harmed.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center has legal partners with decades of experience fighting nursing home abuse and neglect.

Call us right now at (855) 264-6310 to find out if you can take legal action.

How much is a nursing home neglect case worth?

This depends on the specific factors of your case. That said, some past civil lawsuits for nursing home negligence have awarded victims and their loved ones millions of dollars.

In 2024, an 84-year-old woman received $2.34 million through a nursing home neglect lawsuit. The California jury found that Country Villa Wilshire Healthcare Center failed to properly care for the resident, leading to over 130 violations, including multiple falls and severe injuries.

How do I document neglect for a nursing home lawsuit?

You can prove nursing home negligence harmed your loved one by gathering evidence and working with an attorney.

You’ll need evidence to show how your loved one was hurt. Be sure to write down any signs of nursing home neglect and take note when you first notice them. You can also take pictures of possible signs of neglect with the resident’s consent.

Once you have this initial evidence, go to an attorney. They can do more research to build the strongest case possible, prove your loved one was harmed, and fight for financial compensation.

Can I file a claim against a nursing home without a lawyer?

Suing a nursing home for negligence is possible without a lawyer, but you have a much better chance of a favorable outcome with legal help. It can be very hard and stressful to sue without a lawyer.

Skilled nursing home neglect lawyers have the experience and resources to navigate the legal process, gather necessary evidence, and advocate on behalf of victims, ensuring their rights are protected.

They can also maximize potential compensation so your family receives the most amount of money for what you have been put through.

Who can sue a nursing home for negligence?

Nursing home residents who have been neglected or abused may be able to file a lawsuit against a nursing home. Immediate family, relatives, and other loved ones may also be able to sue for nursing home neglect in some cases.

See if you can file a nursing home neglect lawsuit with a free case review.

What types of nursing home neglect can you sue for?

You can sue for many forms of nursing home neglect, including malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, and more. You can also pursue legal action if negligence directly caused or worsened a resident’s overall health.

What’s the first step to filing a nursing home negligence lawsuit?

The first step to suing a nursing home for negligence is to connect with a skilled nursing home neglect law firm. Lawyers at these firms can review your case for free and see what actions you can take.

From there, they can help you file if you qualify. Top nursing home abuse lawyers won’t charge any upfront fees and will only get paid if they secure money for you.

Learn more about working with a lawyer now — get your free consultation for nursing home neglect lawsuit options.

Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect?