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The corporate staff and care facilitators who work in nursing homes and other such long-term care facilities have a legal and moral obligation to the health and safety of the elderly men and women who call it home. No matter what the reason is for your elderly loved one to live in a nursing home, they have the right to proper care, respect, and protection. If your loved one has been injured while in the care of a nursing home or long-term healthcare facility, they may be owed compensation for injuries, pain, and suffering.
The dedicated personal injury and nursing home abuse lawyers of J. Fine Law are committed to the rights of elderly victims who’ve suffered injuries of any type at the hands of a nursing home. We’ll fight to get your family the compensation you deserve. Call our experienced & dedicated attorneys today at (888) 913-3899 or 1-800-HURT-123 or fill out our free consultation form of your nursing home negligence case.
Signs of Elder Abuse in a Nursing Home
Unfortunately, a significant amount of nursing home abuse cases go unreported. Whether that is because the victim cannot physically share the information or because the elder is not able to understand the care they deserve, at the very first sign of abuse immediately contact our nursing home malpractice law firm. Obvious physical signs of abuse include bedsores, malnutrition, broken bones from a fall, and medical errors which could all lead to the most egregious negligence: death. Malpractice lawsuits also include mental and emotional abuse, which is much harder to identify.
Emotional abuse refers to verbal threats, isolation, insults, and the use of fear tactics to control residents. Other forms of nursing home neglect cases we’ve counseled include lack of supervision, sexual assault, coercion, and theft. Whether the abuse happened once or many times over the course of months or years, it is essential you partner with a nursing home abuse law firm to fight for the rights of the elderly victim.
Legal Responsibilities for Infection Diagnosis and Treatment
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania carry a clear legal responsibility to promptly recognize and address infections in their residents. This duty covers more than just routine hygiene; it includes monitoring for infections related to external medical equipment like catheters and feeding tubes. Warning signs—such as fevers, shifting mental status, unexplained bruising, or loss of appetite—should never be ignored.
Under Pennsylvania law, nursing homes must seek immediate medical attention for residents showing any symptoms of infection. This can mean transporting a patient to the hospital or securing a timely doctor’s evaluation, depending on the severity. Delays or failure to act aren’t just careless—they can be grounds for legal action, especially if complications like untreated urinary tract infections, wound infections, or sepsis develop due to neglect.
Nursing home staff are required to maintain proper cleanliness and respond rapidly to health changes. If they neglect these responsibilities and allow an infection to fester, they may be held legally and financially accountable for resulting harm. Infection-related negligence lawsuits are unfortunately common, highlighting the importance of enforcing these basic caregiving standards.
Falls, Fractures, and Head Injuries in Nursing Homes
Physical injuries such as fractures and head trauma are unfortunately common in nursing home settings and can often signal deeper problems within the facility. These injuries typically occur in a few different ways:
- Falls: Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to falls, which may result from inadequate supervision, slippery floors, or insufficient support while moving between a bed, chair, or bathroom. A simple trip can lead to broken hips, fractured femurs, or even brain injuries.
- Improper Transfers: Moving a resident from a bed to a wheelchair—or vice versa—requires proper technique and sufficient staff support. When care providers are rushed, understaffed, or poorly trained, residents can be dropped or mishandled, resulting in serious harm.
- Neglect: Sometimes, nursing homes lack enough staff to properly monitor high-risk individuals or ignore established safety protocols. Residents who need assistance may be left unsupervised, increasing the likelihood of preventable accidents.
Every fall or unexplained injury should be taken seriously, as these incidents are often preventable with attentive care and proper procedures. If your loved one suffers a fracture, traumatic brain injury, or any unexplained physical harm, it is crucial to act quickly and have the situation investigated by professionals.
How Negligence Takes Root in Nursing Homes
Negligence in a nursing home isn’t limited to careless moments at a resident’s bedside—it can rear its head at any stage, starting from management’s very first decisions. Everything from hiring unqualified or insufficiently vetted staff, to maintaining dangerously low staffing levels, plays a role. When a facility cuts corners by failing to train their employees properly, or ignoring basic protocols for supervision and safety, it opens the door for harm to occur.
Even well-meaning but overworked aides can make mistakes if management stretches resources too thin. Neglect can come from failing to help residents with meals or hygiene, not responding quickly enough to calls for assistance, or missing clear signs of medical distress. Behind every troubling incident, there is often a breakdown in the systems meant to keep residents safe—be it poor training, lack of oversight, or simply not having enough hands on deck.
If you notice chronic understaffing, rapid staff turnover, or a facility that seems disorganized, these are warning lights on the dashboard. Each represents an opportunity for neglect to slip through the cracks, with real consequences for your loved one.
Importance of Hiring a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Hiring a nursing home abuse lawyer holds the care facility and its staff accountable for their appalling actions of neglect, abuse, and mistreatment of their residence. Besides compensation for the victim and family, the lawsuit can lead to loss of licensing, federal funding, and jobs for all involved.
Furthermore, filing a suit protects other men and women in the care of a nursing home from being susceptible to the same types of mistreatment and neglect. If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact J. Fine Law today to speak with our experienced personal injury lawyers today. There is a statute of limitations to the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit and seek justice.
Next Steps for Families Seeking Justice for Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect that your loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse in a nursing home, acting quickly and thoughtfully is crucial. Confronting the staff may seem like the natural first move, but often your concerns are not met with meaningful action. Being proactive and strategic can make all the difference.
Start by ensuring your loved one’s immediate safety. If your family member is in urgent danger or needs medical attention, don’t hesitate to contact emergency services right away. Remember, nursing homes cannot prevent you from calling 911, an ambulance, or local law enforcement—even if they assure you everything is under control.
Once your loved one is safe, there are additional steps you should take:
- Notify State and Local Authorities: Each county in Pennsylvania and New Jersey has specific offices, like the Department of Health or the local Area Agency on Aging, which oversee nursing home conditions and investigate reports. You can also contact your regional ombudsman’s office, which advocates for residents’ rights and investigates complaints.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed notes about the suspected abuse or neglect—dates, times, what happened, and who was involved. Photographs, medical records, and witness statements can be invaluable down the road.
- Consult With an Experienced Attorney: Even if you’re unsure about pursuing a lawsuit, consulting a nursing home abuse attorney can clarify your legal options. Filing a claim goes beyond recovering compensation—it can also hold the facility accountable and spark changes that protect other residents.
Taking these steps not only safeguards your loved one but may also help prevent mistreatment of others in the future. Empower yourself with information and trusted legal guidance to ensure your family’s rights—and the rights of all nursing home residents—are protected.
Contact our Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys
The attorneys at J. Fine Law have recovered in excess of $50 million in verdict awards and negotiated settlements for our clients. We fight for the rights of each of our clients, dedicating ourselves to each case and getting you and your family the compensation you deserve. Call 1-800-HURT-123 for a free and confidential consultation, or visit any of our office locations in Philadelphia PA, Feasterville PA or Cherry Hill NJ. We have handled nursing home cases in almost every county in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.