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Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Understanding How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help

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Nursing home abuse lawyers help victims of abuse and neglect, as well as their families, pursue financial aid and justice. Working with a nursing home abuse attorney makes the legal process more manageable. It may also increase your chances of receiving a financial payout. Our team can help you connect with a local nursing home injury lawyer right now.

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What Is A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?

A nursing home abuse lawyer is a type of specialized personal injury attorney. These lawyers help victims take legal action against facilities that harm residents living in nursing homes through personal injury lawsuits.

Nursing home abuse lawyer and legal team in a meeting.

A nursing home abuse attorney seeks to prove that:

  • The nursing home facility had a legal duty to care for the victim but did not meet the minimum standards
  • Nursing home staff members harmed a resident through negligence and/or intentional acts of violence
  • The resident suffered long-term or permanent injuries due to the staff members’ actions
  • The resident or their family is owed financial compensation to pay for medical treatment, heal from emotional distress, or pay for funeral expenses

Nursing home abuse lawyers have helped victims and their loved ones recover millions of dollars in compensation for nursing home abuse through legal settlements and trial verdicts.

The best nursing home abuse attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping people in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other care facilities. They fight to help victims and their families access money for medical bills and pain and suffering.

Did you know

Together, our national network of nursing home abuse attorneys has recovered over $250 million for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Get a free consultation now to see if you can work with one of our trusted nursing home abuse law firms.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers

Nursing home neglect is one of the officially recognized types of nursing home abuse. Therefore, an attorney who focuses on negligence cases may also be called a nursing home neglect lawyer or nursing home negligence lawyer.

Nursing home neglect occurs when a basic standard of care is not met, resulting in harm to a resident. When a nursing home resident’s needs are neglected, they can be seriously injured or even killed.

Did You Know

Nursing home neglect attorneys helped the family of a 90-year-old woman secure $300,000 in a wrongful death lawsuit. The money was awarded because she developed deadly pressure ulcers after just two months in the nursing home facility.

How A Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help

A nursing home abuse attorney guides victims through the legal process and helps them access financial compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. Working with an experienced nursing home lawyer gives families a better chance of receiving compensation.

A nursing home abuse lawyer can help with claims related to:

  • Medical Malpractice

    Medical malpractice occurs when a health care provider or facility fails to meet their required duty of care. In a nursing home, this could include making medication errors that cause harm.

  • Neglect

    Neglect may be at play when nursing home residents are not adequately cared for. Negligence while caring for frail nursing home residents can cause serious injuries, such as stage 4 bedsores or deadly falls.

  • Physical Abuse

    Physical nursing home abuse occurs when a resident is harmed at the hands of staff members or other residents. For example, a certified nursing assistant in a California nursing home slammed a resident against the wall in 2021, causing her physical harm.

  • Sexual Abuse

    Sexual nursing home abuse is any type of unwanted sexual contact with a nursing home resident. For example, in 2019, a 71-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a staff member during a diaper change.

  • Wrongful Death

    This can occur when nursing home abuse or neglect results in a preventable death. For example, in 2021, a nursing home resident with strict swallowing precautions choked to death after being left alone to eat her lunch.

Additionally, emotional abuse or financial abuse could be red flags that other forms of abuse are occurring. Sadly, elder abuse statistics show that abuse and neglect in nursing homes are common, with victims being abused in many ways.

“Rates of abuse of older people are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year.”

—World Health Organization (WHO)

The best nursing home abuse lawyers have experience handling all forms of nursing home abuse and neglect. Our trusted partners work at reputable law firms across the country and have knowledge of elder abuse laws, access to previous cases, and extensive resources to help clients.

Connect with our compassionate Patient Advocates now to find out if you can work with a top nursing home abuse lawyer near you.

What to Expect When Working with a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

When abuse or neglect in a nursing home happens, it can be agonizing for families to face. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle it alone. Working with a nursing home abuse lawyer can help reduce the stress of filing a lawsuit.

Below are some things you can expect a nursing home lawyer to do.

Establish the Facts

A nursing home abuse lawyer will first meet with the victim or their immediate family. During this meeting, the lawyer will discuss the alleged abuse or mistreatment, the history of the victim’s nursing home care, and the victim’s mental and physical capacities.

Gather Information

A nursing home negligence attorney will investigate the facts and gather additional evidence to support the case.

This evidence may include medical records, witness statements, and any photos or videos that were captured. The lawyer will use all relevant evidence to support the claims of nursing home abuse that the victim has reported.

Navigate Federal and State Laws

Different laws affect how, when, and where someone can file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Skilled lawyers know local, state, and federal nursing home laws that can affect case filings.

“Under international human rights law, everyone, including nursing home residents, has the right to the highest attainable standard of health and to an effective remedy for violations of their rights.”

—Human Rights Watch

File the Nursing Home Claim

The next step is to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit on the victim’s behalf. When this happens, the victim or their family becomes the plaintiff(s).

The lawsuit must be filed in the proper court system, and the defendants (those being sued) must be notified with formal documents. A nursing home abuse lawyer can ensure these critical steps are taken without mistakes or delays.

Connect with us now to see if you can file a nursing home claim for your loved one.

Investigate the Case

During what is known as the discovery phase, both legal teams collect and organize information to build the strongest case possible. This may involve witnesses giving testimonies to each legal team.

Negotiate a Settlement

Nursing home abuse cases rarely go to trial. Instead, both parties usually reach a settlement agreement that awards the plaintiff a financial payout to close their case. Skilled lawyers will work hard to negotiate the highest nursing home settlements on behalf of their clients.

Go to Trial

In the unlikely case that a settlement cannot be reached out of court, it goes to trial. During a trial, a judge or jury will decide on a verdict after hearing the facts presented by each side. This includes how much money (if any) will be awarded to the plaintiff.

Lawyers representing each side will try to resolve the case in the most favorable way for their client. In some situations, the side that loses the trial may be able to file an appeal to overturn the ruling.

Elder abuse attorneys work to prepare a strong case in the event the case goes to trial. They also update their clients on the status as the trial progresses.

Signs You Need a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you or a loved one was harmed in a nursing home, you might not know for sure if abuse occurred or if an elder abuse lawyer is needed. However, it never hurts to look into your legal options.

Before calling an attorney, you may begin to sense that something seems wrong or see common signs of nursing home abuse.

You may need an elder abuse attorney if:

  • A resident’s behavior or mood has suddenly changed for the worse
  • A resident has unexplained injuries (bedsores, broken bones, genital bruising)
  • A resident hasn’t received proper medical treatment for wounds, infections, or illnesses
  • Staff/caregivers have made serious health care mistakes (medication errors, etc.)
  • You notice signs of neglect in a loved one (malnutrition, weight loss, dehydration)
  • Your loved one wound up in a hospital after staying in a nursing home
  • You and your family now face financial hardship due to a resident’s injuries

When in doubt, get a free case review to see if possible warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect may warrant legal action. Our Patient Advocates can help see if you are eligible to work with a nursing home abuse attorney.

Working With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you’re looking to work with a nursing home abuse lawyer, there are a few different ways to make the process easier.

When speaking with a prospective nursing home abuse lawyer:

  • Be transparent and open about the facts in the case
  • Compile all available evidence, including the history and timeline of abuse or neglect
  • See if they have successfully handled nursing home lawsuits

Remember, working with an experienced attorney with your best interests at heart is much easier than filing a lawsuit yourself. If you try to file a lawsuit on your own, you could make mistakes that delay the case or cause it to be rejected.

How Much Does a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Cost?

Top nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they charge no upfront fees for their services. Further, they only get paid if you win the case.

In these fee arrangements, elder abuse lawyers usually take a percentage of the winnings from a settlement or trial verdict to cover their legal costs.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers by State

Nursing home abuse laws vary by state and can affect how and when you file a lawsuit. These laws include statutes of limitations, which are state deadlines placed on how long you have to file a claim. If you miss the deadline, you may be forever prevented from taking legal action.

States with high rates of nursing home abuse include:

While these states are known for higher rates of nursing home abuse or neglect, it tragically happens everywhere due to factors like understaffing, poor training, and mismanagement. Fortunately, there are nursing home abuse lawyers in every state to help victims.

You can find a top nursing home abuse attorney in your state by connecting with us. We partner with some of the best nursing home abuse law firms across the country.

Find a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me

In a perfect world, long-term care facilities would treat all residents with the respect and care they deserve. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect do occur. And sadly, those who fall victim to nursing home abuse may carry physical and emotional scars for the rest of their lives

By working with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer, residents and their families can begin to recover from the trauma and afford necessary medical care.

An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can provide legal advice, communicate with the facility’s lawyers and insurance companies, and much more.

Get a free consultation today to connect with local nursing home abuse lawyers in your area and receive the help you deserve.

FAQs About Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

What does a nursing home abuse lawyer do?

Nursing home abuse lawyers file lawsuits to secure compensation for those who were harmed in long-term care facilities.

A nursing home abuse attorney represents the client’s best interests as the case moves forward, handling much of the work that comes with a lawsuit.

Ultimately, a nursing home abuse lawyer’s goal is to get justice for the harm that was done.

What kind of lawyer can sue a nursing home?

Personal injury lawyers who handle nursing home abuse cases are the best option for those looking to file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit.

These lawyers have the experience, resources, and dedication needed to maximize the value of your case.

General personal injury lawyers who do not have experience in nursing home abuse cases may not know how to build the strongest case possible. This could mean victims could wind up with no compensation or less money than their case is worth.

How much does it cost to work with a nursing home abuse attorney?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they charge no upfront fees for their work. They will only get paid if they secure compensation for their clients.

What types of cases do nursing abuse lawyers handle?

Nursing home abuse lawyers can take on many different nursing home abuse cases. This includes cases involving wrongful death, physical abuse, sexual assault, and neglect.

How do I contact a nursing home abuse lawyer?

Call our team today at (855) 264-6310 to talk with our caring Patient Advocates. They can assess your case and connect you with a top nursing home abuse attorney if you qualify.

You can also get a free case review to start the process online.

Nursing Home Abuse Support Team
Julie Rivers HeadshotReviewed by:Julie Rivers, MBA

Eldercare Advocate & Expert

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Julie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 15 years of dedicated service to victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Her journey in this field became deeply personal when she assumed the role of an unpaid caregiver during her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded to bring justice to those affected by nursing home and elder abuse. Our mission is to educate and empower victims of abuse and their families to take a stand against this unlawful mistreatment. We work to return dignity back to those who have been broken down by nursing home abuse and neglect.

  1. Human Rights Watch. (2022, March 21). US: Concerns of neglect in nursing homes. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/25/us-concerns-neglect-nursing-homes
  2. Sharma, A., (2022, September 10). El Cajon Nursing Home keeps operating despite record of abuse, poor care. KPBS Public Media. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2022/09/08/el-cajon-nursing-home-keeps-operating-record-abuse-poor-care
  3. Thompson, E. (2019, January 31). Beaumont nursing home in Westboro to pay $1M in wrongful death lawsuit. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.telegram.com/news/20190130/beaumont-nursing-home-in-westboro-to-pay-1m-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit
  4. World Health Organization. (2022, June 13). Abuse of older people. World Health Organization. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people