Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Philadelphia
Philadelphia nursing home employees are required to care for elderly residents’ needs and well-being at the highest level to ensure that the senior members of our families are as safe and healthy as possible. Far too often, long-term healthcare facility staff members neglect those duties and abuse the very people they are expected to protect.
If you suspect that your family member is suffering from physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse or neglect at a long-term care centre in Philadelphia or the surrounding counties, contact our experienced lawyers today for a free consultation. We will answer your questions regarding nursing home negligence, review the details and medical records, and advise you on how to proceed. Call a Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyer, chat live, or fill out our email form today for a free, confidential case review.
Our experienced, compassionate team of nursing home abuse lawyers have the knowledge and resources to hold the negligent centre accountable. We have earned AV-Preeminent peer ratings and Platinum-Level Client Champion ratings from Martindale-Hubbell – the highest ethical and client service ratings in our industry.
What Defines Nursing Home & Elder Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is a form of elder abuse, which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action that causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights and includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, and material abuse as well as abandonment, neglect, and serious loss of dignity and respect.
How Does Abuse or Neglect Affect Nursing Home Residents?
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), a division of the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, reports that victims of nursing home abuse have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to seniors who were not subjected to nursing home negligence. The NCEA reports that in addition to the increased likelihood of premature death, the elder abuse of nursing home residents can have the following negative impacts:
- Physical Impact – Long-term healthcare malpractice of centre residents causes physical injuries such as bruises, lacerations, dental problems, head injuries, broken bones, pressure sore, persistent physical pain and soreness, problems with nutrition, hydration, and sleep, the exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions, and increased susceptibility to new illnesses
- Psychological Impact – Nursing home abuse causes psychological complications such as depression, anxiety, distress, and other psychological disorders.
- Financial Impact – The financial exploitation of elderly healthcare centre residents causes tremendous monetary losses for seniors and their families.
Elderly individuals can lose their savings and sense of security when preyed upon by financial abusers.
If you suspect that someone you love is suffering from nursing home abuse, don’t wait – contact our experienced legal team today for a free consultation.
How to Check Philadelphia Nursing Homes for Abuse Reports
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging conduct independent evaluations of long-term residential healthcare facilities and they also investigate reports of nursing home abuse. In many jurisdictions including Pennsylvania, this information is widely accessible on the state health departments’ websites.
These Dept. of Health website contains valuable information about a nursing home’s size, services available, ownership type, licensure status, number of tenants, payment options, and most recent inspection.
In addition, they contain patient care surveys, which detail any harm alleged and what the state’s investigation into the incident report. If you need to report nursing home abuse or neglect, you can do so with the Dept. of Health as well as the Dept. of Aging.
Who Faces Higher Risk of Nursing Home Abuse Cases?
The Nursing Home Abuse Justice (NHAJ) organization reports that certain nursing home tenants are more likely than others to suffer abuse an neglect in a long-term healthcare centre. According to the NHAJ, “residents who are seen as needier, more time-consuming or different in some way from other tenants are more likely to be abused or neglected.”
According to data from the NHAJ, NCEA, and the National Institutional of Health (NIH), especially vulnerable populations include nursing home residents who:
- Suffer from Cognitive Impairments or Disorders
- Are Physically Disabled or Handicapped
- Suffer from Mental Illness
- Are Female
If your loved one is a part of any one of these groups, you should be especially wary of any signs that they are being abused by the nursing home staff entrusted with their care and contact a nursing home abuse attorney.
Understanding Liability in Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Cases
How Nursing Home Owners May Be Held Liable
Nursing home abuse and neglect cases often place responsibility directly on the facility owners. Under Pennsylvania nursing home law, owners must provide quality care, safe environments, and respect residents’ rights. If the owner knowingly understaffs the facility, neglects necessary maintenance, or fails to address reported concerns promptly, they can be liable for negligence. Our experienced nursing home abuse legal professionals have successfully represented families in holding facility owners accountable for damages caused by their negligence.
Liability of Staff Members in Care Facilities
Staff members, including nurses, caregivers, and administrative personnel, have a direct duty to ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents. When staff behavior leads to harm, they become liable for their actions or inactions. Liability can extend to cases involving direct trauma, such as physical assault, emotional mistreatment, or neglect resulting in illness, distress, or trauma. Philadelphia nursing home residents harmed by negligent staff have the right to seek justice through lawsuits. We provide robust representation to victims of staff-related incidents, ensuring accountability and obtaining rightful compensation.
What Qualifies as Nursing Home Negligence or Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice within long-term care facilities includes improper medical treatment, medication errors, failure to diagnose illnesses, and inadequate rehabilitation plans. Nursing home abuse, on the other hand, typically involves a failure to provide basic necessities such as food, water, cleanliness, or proper monitoring of patients. Pennsylvania nursing homes are mandated to adhere strictly to healthcare standards. We investigate allegations thoroughly, gathering evidence to substantiate claims of medical malpractice, thereby advocating effectively for nursing home abuse victims.
Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Philadelphia
Steps to Report Abuse and Neglect Cases
If you suspect abuse or neglect in a Philadelphia nursing home, immediate reporting is crucial. First, document all signs of abuse or neglect clearly. Then, file a detailed report with Pennsylvania’s Department of Health and the National Center on Elder Abuse. These authorities investigate allegations to protect residents and address violations swiftly. Additionally, contact our experienced legal professionals, who will guide you through the legal process, ensuring your family’s rights are protected and a thorough investigation is pursued.
Role of the Department of Health in Abuse Investigations
The Pennsylvania Department of Health plays a critical role in investigating nursing home abuse cases. They conduct inspections and audits of care facilities to identify neglect, staffing issues, and other safety concerns. Investigations can lead to citations, penalties, or facility closures. Their reports often serve as essential evidence in lawsuits. We collaborate closely with state authorities to strengthen our clients’ cases, using official investigations to support claims and secure justice for victims.
How Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Secure Justice for Victims
Experienced attorneys are essential allies in your fight for justice. We meticulously build each lawsuit, gathering evidence, consulting medical experts, and advocating aggressively on your behalf. From settlement negotiations to trial, our attorneys aim to hold liable parties fully accountable, ensuring victims and their families receive compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. If you or a family member has experienced nursing home abuse in Philadelphia, our dedicated attorneys are ready to pursue justice for you.
What a Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm Does
Realizing that your beloved family member may be the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect is a horrifying experience. The process of holding the negligent retirement home or care facility accountable can be daunting, and most facilities’ insurance companies are prepared to deny any wrongdoing.
In order to be successful in a claim against a nursing home you must prove three things: that the facility owed a duty of care to your loved one, that they failed to uphold that duty, and that, as a direct result, your loved one suffered harm. While the abuse or neglect may appear obvious, it can be a laborious process to document and prove everything that happened. We will begin by hearing your story, reviewing all medical records with our in-house doctor, and we will prepare to take your case to trial if the defendants do not cooperate with a settlement.
Costs of Hiring Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
We believe in standing up for the vulnerable – regardless of wealth and income. This is why we work on a contingent fee basis. The contingent fee means we only get paid if we win your case, and you incur no financial risk whatsoever in bringing a legal claim against the nursing home. If we do not recover a settlement or verdict in your favor, you owe us nothing.
For over 60 years, our personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia have fought for victims of abuse and their families. We want to help you make sure that any healthcare staff members who abuse, neglect or take advantage of elderly residents are held accountable and that your loved one can get the care that they deserve.
If someone you love resides in a long-term healthcare centre and you suspect that they may be the victim of neglect or physical, emotional, financial, or sexual abuse, call our experienced team of legal professionals for a free consultation today.
How A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Protect Residents
Mistreatment in nursing homes or assisted living facilities can harm a nursing home resident in many ways. Our team works to stop this at any location in Pennsylvania. We look at staffing issues that lead to poor care and fight for damages when harm occurs. Individuals and their loved ones trust us to review cases and hold facilities accountable without upfront costs.
What Pennsylvania Law Says About Nursing Home Negligence
Pennsylvania law sets rules to protect each nursing home resident from mistreatment. The Older Adults Protective Services Act demands proper staffing to prevent trauma in assisted living facilities. If a location fails these standards, legal action can address the damages. Our team knows these laws and uses them to help families.
When Malpractice or Assault Leads to a Lawsuit
Assault or malpractice in nursing homes often triggers a lawsuit. A nursing home resident may face physical trauma due to poor staffing or neglectful acts. Our firm will seek damages for your loved ones when this happens in any Pennsylvania location. Our process starts with a free review to build your case.
Get Immediate Assistance from a Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
When Philadelphia nursing home residents experience neglect or abuse, immediate attention and legal assistance are essential. Our dedicated nursing home abuse attorneys understand the devastating impact that substandard quality care and inappropriate behavior by nurses or facility staff can have on both patients and their family members. Whether facing cases involving nursing home neglect, sexual abuse, or improper rehabilitation practices, our experienced abuse attorneys are ready to help.
Our Philadelphia nursing home abuse attorney will listen carefully to your complaint, investigate the specific location thoroughly, and determine who is liable under Pennsylvania nursing home law. We show utmost respect to every family affected by these difficult situations and work tirelessly toward justice, from filing lawsuits through trial. Contact Munley Law today to speak with an attorney who will fight vigorously to protect your rights and ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents throughout Philadelphia.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747
