If someone you love has been abused or neglected in a Hazleton nursing home, assisted living facility, or retirement community, our Hazleton nursing home abuse lawyers can help you understand your legal options and work to hold the responsible parties accountable.
For nearly 70 years, Munley Law has represented families across Pennsylvania in complex negligence and institutional liability claims. Our attorneys understand the warning signs of nursing home abuse, know how to investigate these cases, and are committed to protecting vulnerable residents and pursuing compensation when facilities fail in their duty of care.
Our nursing home abuse lawyers have experience investigating claims involving neglect, physical abuse, medication errors, falls, malnutrition, dehydration, and other forms of mistreatment in Pennsylvania care facilities. We understand the legal duties nursing homes owe residents under Pennsylvania law, including protections found in the Older Adults Protective Services Act (35 P.S. § 10225.101 et seq.), and we work with medical experts and investigators to build strong cases against negligent facilities.
Whether a claim is resolved through negotiation or litigation, our goal is to help families seek accountability and protect their loved ones from further harm.
If you suspect that a cherished member of your family is suffering, don’t wait any longer. Call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What is Nursing Home Abuse in Hazleton, PA?
Nursing home abuse is a type of elder abuse that occurs in a residential assisted living facility. This type of abuse can be unintentional or intentional, occurring when nursing home staff or others neglect or deliberately harm residents.
According to the NHAJ, nursing home abuse can involve:
- Physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, pushing, punching, slapping, cutting, or scraping
- Sexual abuse in the form of groping, penetration, or any other forced or unwanted contact
- Verbal abuse like mocking, yelling, berating, screaming, chastising, degrading, or scaring
- Abandonment and neglect
- Financial and material exploitation, including altering financial documents and stealing
- Healthcare fraud
- Self-neglect of the staff entrusted with nursing home residents’ care
The most common perpetrators include care staff, nursing home administrators, retirement community medical staff, other residents, and visiting family members. Abuse in nursing homes in Luzerne County can lead to trauma, medical emergencies, and even death.
How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?
Unfortunately, instances of elder abuse are regularly reported throughout Luzerne County. The National Council on Aging reports that more than 5,000,000 seniors, many of whom live in nursing homes, are abused throughout the United States each year. That means that 1 out of every 10 Americans over the age of 60 will be mistreated by those trusted with their care. Alarmingly, one study estimates that only one in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported.
What are the Most Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Hazleton, PA?
While you may think that nursing home abuse in Hazleton, PA, is easy to spot, the signs are not always obvious, and many seniors cannot clearly communicate the pain they are suffering. Keep an eye out for the following common symptoms of elder abuse:
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Broken bones
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Unexplained purchases or changes to financial documents
- Fearfulness
- Confusion
- Violence
- Anger
While these symptoms do not automatically prove that your loved one is being abused, they may be a sign of mistreatment. For this reason, it is important to address any of these symptoms right away.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Loved One Is a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?
If you suspect that your family member is being abused in a nursing home in Luzerne County, do not wait. Take the following steps at the first sign of neglect or maltreatment:
- Document the date, time, and symptoms you witness
- Ask your loved one directly about what is going on
- Alert the nursing home care staff and administration about the signs
- Insist that the facility explain what happened and take action to protect your family member
- Call 9-11 if you suspect your loved one is in immediate danger
- Report the abuse to the Luzerne County Department of Human Services
- Contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer at Munley Law to represent you and your family
Ensuring that your loved one is protected from further abuse isn’t the only reason to act quickly. You also need to keep Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases in mind.
Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of the injury or from when the abuse was discovered to file a personal injury claim under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2). However, exceptions may apply in certain situations. For example, Pennsylvania law includes tolling provisions for minors under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5533(b), and courts may recognize equitable tolling in limited circumstances involving vulnerable adults or diminished capacity. Since these exceptions depend on the specific facts of a case, it is important to speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing important filing deadlines.
You should also consider reporting suspected abuse under Pennsylvania’s Older Adults Protective Services Act (35 P.S. § 10225.101 et seq.), which provides protections for vulnerable adults and establishes procedures for investigating reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?
Founded in 1959, Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys is a family law firm that has served the greater Hazleton area by treating our clients like family for almost 70 years. We understand the trust it takes to allow a nursing home or assisted living facility to care for your family. We know how painful it is when that trust is violated, and your loved one suffers as a result.
That’s why our nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help. If you suspect that someone you love is being abused by a senior community facility, it is time to speak up. Our lawyers are standing by to investigate and take action. Thanks to our knowledge and expertise at the negotiating table and in court, our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for clients across a wide range of personal injury cases.
In addition to gaining the admiration of clients and peers through obtaining groundbreaking client victories, our lawyers have also received numerous honors and accolades. Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, J. Christopher Munley, and John Mulcahey are board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Practice Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are also members of the invitation-only American Board of Trial Advocates.
Marion Munley is also the current Vice President of the American Association for Justice, a member of the Summit Council, and, together with Caroline Munley, of Litigation Counsel of America and the International Society of Barristers.
Best Lawyers named Marion Munley as Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation, and Super Lawyers named her among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania for the past three years. She has also been named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and Top 50 Women Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. In addition, the National Trial Lawyers named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania and named Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We are committed to helping families protect their loved ones and pursue the legal remedies available under Pennsylvania law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Cases
What Qualifies as Nursing Home Abuse in Hazleton, PA?
Nursing home abuse in Hazleton, PA, is any intentional or negligent act that harms a resident in a care facility. This can involve physical harm, emotional mistreatment, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. Even failing to provide proper food, hygiene, or medical care may be considered abuse under Pennsylvania law.
How Can I Tell if My Loved One is Being Abused in a Hazleton Nursing Home?
You can tell if your loved one is being abused in a Hazleton nursing home by keeping a lookout for the common warning signs. These include unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, poor hygiene, weight loss, or unusual financial activity. Emotional symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or withdrawal can also indicate abuse. If something feels off, it’s important to investigate and take concerns seriously.
What Should I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
If you suspect nursing home abuse, you should start documenting any signs of abuse, including dates, photos, and detailed notes. Speak directly with your loved one and report your concerns to the facility’s management. If the situation is urgent, call 9-11 and consider reporting the issue to local authorities. You should also contact an experienced Hazleton nursing home abuse lawyer at Munley Law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, Pennsylvania law gives you two years from the date of the abuse or injury, or from when the abuse was discovered, to file a claim (under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524). However, certain exceptions may extend this deadline. For example, 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5533(b) provides tolling for minors, and courts may recognize equitable tolling in limited circumstances involving victims with diminished capacity. Because nursing home abuse cases can involve complex issues affecting vulnerable adults, it is important to consult an attorney promptly to determine the deadline that applies to your family’s situation.
How Can a Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help My Family?
A Hazleton nursing home abuse lawyer can help your family by investigating the abuse, gathering evidence, and holding the responsible parties accountable. We can also handle negotiations with insurance companies and pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Having legal representation ensures your loved one’s rights are protected and helps prevent further harm.
Contact Munley Law’s Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today
A consultation with a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys attorney is always free, and we won’t charge you a cent unless or until we win. Let our family protect yours. Contact Munley Law today.
Caroline Munley
Caroline Munley is an experienced and award-winning personal injury lawyer and is a board-certified workers’ compensation specialist. Since 2018, she’s been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Plaintiffs; Workers’ Compensation Claimants, Northeastern PA), Lawdragon, and has been a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2022. A member of the International Society of Barristers, Caroline has won millions of dollars for car accident, commercial truck crash, and workplace injury victims.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on August 12, 2026.
