Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of residents in assisted living facilities. Sadly, thousands of patients suffer abuse each year in the very facilities that were supposed to provide care. Abuse in nursing homes can take many forms and result in serious injuries and even death. When a loved one has suffered harm, families may be able to take legal action. Get started with a free case review.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit, you can seek financial compensation and justice from those who caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$2.2 million for a Rhode Island resident who had a heart attack
$2 million for the family of a California patient with dementia who passed away due to negligence
$1.5 million for a woman in Minnesota with stage 4 bedsores

Written by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Nov 18, 2024

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Julie Rivers

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse occurs when staff members or others at a long-term care facility cause harm to a resident.

Understaffing, inadequate training, and lack of funding can all lead to nursing home abuse. However, regardless of the cause of nursing home abuse, any kind of mistreatment or neglect is never acceptable.

The five main types of nursing home abuse are:

Neglect: Failing to provide the necessary care
Physical abuse: Causing physical pain or injury to a patient
Sexual abuse: Engaging in any type of sexual activity with a resident
Emotional abuse: Harassing, threatening, or intimidating a patient
Financial abuse: Misusing or stealing a resident’s money, property, or other assets

If you suspect that your loved one may be a victim of abuse, there are steps you can take to stop the mistreatment and keep them safe. You can report the abuse to the police or Adult Protective Services (APS) to start an investigation.

A nursing home lawyer can help families take legal action to hold negligent facilities accountable and seek compensation for a safer residence and expenses related to the abuse.

LawFirm.com works with nursing home abuse law firms that have secured over $280 million for families affected by nursing home abuse and neglect. See if they may be able to assist you with a free case review.

Statistics on Abuse in Nursing Homes

Facts and figures about nursing home abuse shine a light on the severity of this problem in care homes across the United States.

“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)

By being aware of nursing home abuse statistics, families can take precautions to keep their loved ones safe.

Find out more about recent nursing home abuse statistics:

As many as 1 in 3 older adults have experienced elder abuse in care facilities.
66% of staff members who responded to a WHO study admitted to mistreating residents.
About 85% of assisted living facilities reported at least one case of neglect or abuse.
97% of nursing home abuse cases in 5 states were not reported to local law enforcement.
Elder abuse rates have climbed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

These numbers may be even higher as incidents of resident abuse in nursing homes often go unreported.

Did you know?

The WHO predicts that nursing home abuse cases will increase in the future as the global population ages.

Legal Help for a Nursing Home Abuse Case

Nursing home abuse affects vulnerable residents and everyone in their family. Victims may have injuries that require medical care and rehabilitation. Those who trusted an assisted living facility to provide a safe environment and quality care may feel emotional distress.

By filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit, families can seek compensation for costs related to the abuse and help pay for a facility where their loved one can get the care they deserve. You may also be able to prevent another resident from suffering the same type of harm.

A nursing home abuse lawyer can:

Gather medical records, reports, and other information to build a strong case
Work to secure financial compensation as quickly as possible
Hold those responsible for your loved one’s mistreatment accountable

Reputable nursing home law firms have the resources to prove abuse and neglect and maximize compensation for families.

Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Cases

LawFirm.com works with leading nursing home abuse lawyers who have secured over $280 million for victims and their families.

Nursing home settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

$2.2 million for a woman in Rhode Island who had a heart attack
$2 million to a Massachusetts woman who passed away due to an infected catheter that had not been changed
$1.75 million for the heirs of a man in Massachusetts who died in a fire caused by neglect
$1.5 million to a woman in Minnesota with stage 4 bedsores
$1.18 million for a nursing home patient in Indiana
$1.11 million to a Florida woman who suffered a heart attack in care
$2 million for a California woman with dementia who was passed away from neglect

The majority of cases end in out-of-court settlements, which allow victims to access compensation without the delays and stress of a trial.

Case values for abuse in nursing homes may vary, but a lawyer will fight to secure compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

There’s only a limited amount of time to take legal action due to state laws called statutes of limitations. Once this window passes, you’ll be prevented from seeking compensation for your loved one’s injuries.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to fight for justice on your loved one’s behalf.

Signs of Abuse in Care Homes

Being able to spot the warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect can help families protect their loved ones and stop the mistreatment from continuing.

Signs of nursing home abuse may include:

Bedsores, especially a stage 3 or a stage 4 pressure ulcer
Dehydration and malnutrition
Falls causing head injuries or other serious harm
Infections that turn into a blood infection called sepsis
Physical injuries like bruises, burns, and broken bones
Poor hygiene or unsanitary conditions
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sudden changes in behavior, such as fearfulness or withdrawal
Unexplained weight loss

This is not a complete list. Anything that gives you pause and makes you think that something isn’t right could be a sign that abuse is occurring. Trust your gut and take steps to keep your loved one safe if you have reason to believe they’re being mistreated.

The best time to reach out to a nursing home abuse law firm is as soon as you suspect abuse or neglect.

Don’t delay: Get a free case review now to take the first step toward the justice your family deserves.

Types of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

There are different types of abuse in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities that can impact the health and well-being of residents. Any form can be traumatic to patients and their family members.

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

Physical abuse in nursing homes is often an intentional use of force that results in injury or pain to a resident.

Nursing home physical abuse includes:

Hitting
Force-feeding
Improper use of restraints
Kicking
Slapping
Shoving

This type of abuse can be particularly harmful, as even minor injuries may have serious consequences for elderly residents with underlying health conditions.

Neglect in Nursing Homes

Nursing home neglect is the failure to provide basic care and attention that every nursing home resident needs and deserves.

Nursing home neglect includes:

Allowing poor hygiene or dirty living conditions
Failing to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, leading to malnutrition or dehydration
Ignoring bedsores, including stage 1 and stage 2 pressure sores
Leaving infections untreated
Mismanaging prescription medications

Nursing home negligence may not always be intentional, but it can have catastrophic consequences, causing serious injury and even wrongful death in some cases.

Can you sue a nursing home for neglect?

You may be able to sue a nursing home for neglect if the actions — or inactions — of the facility or its staff caused harm. Get started by calling (888) 726-9160.

Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Emotional abuse is the use of words or actions to cause fear or distress in a nursing home resident. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse leaves no visible marks, but it can be just as damaging.

Nursing home emotional abuse includes:

Humiliation
Isolation of a resident from social interactions or activities
Threats and intimidation
Verbal assaults and insults

Residents who are withdrawn, exhibit sudden mood swings, or display signs of low self-esteem may be reacting to psychological abuse.

Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

Sexual abuse in nursing homes involves any unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact with a resident. This type of nursing home abuse includes inappropriate touching, forced nudity, and sexual assault.

Signs to look for include:

Bruising or bleeding around the genital area
Newly diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases
Torn or stained underwear

Patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are especially vulnerable to this type of abuse since they may not be able to understand or communicate what’s happening to them.

Financial Abuse in Nursing Homes

Financial abuse involves the illegal or improper use of a resident’s money, property, or assets. Older residents are often targeted because they may be more trusting, cognitively impaired, or less likely to notice financial discrepancies.

Nursing home financial abuse includes:

Coercing residents to change their will or power of attorney
Forging signatures
Stealing money or valuables
Unauthorized use of credit cards or bank accounts

In addition to unexplained withdrawals from your loved one’s bank accounts, look for missing belongings, changes in financial documents, and confusion about their finances.

LawFirm.com has partnered with experienced personal injury lawyers who can help families dealing with all types of nursing home abuse. Our legal partners never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to work with them.

Get a free case review now to see if a top nursing home abuse lawyer can fight hard for everything your family deserves.

How to Report Mistreatment in Nursing Homes

Whether you’re a family member, friend, or caregiver, there are steps you can take if you suspect neglect or abuse is occurring in a nursing home.

If you’re concerned that your loved one may be in immediate danger, call 911 to get them the help they need.

You also can report nursing home abuse by:

Notifying the facility: Tell the administrator or management about your concerns to see if they will address them and provide an acceptable resolution.
Calling the authorities: Your local police or state’s Adult Protective Services can investigate to get to the bottom of what happened.
Filing a complaint: You can file a formal complaint with your state’s Department of Health or long-term care ombudsman.
Talking to a lawyer: Consider speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney to explore your legal options and get help protecting your loved one.

Tip: To improve your chances of a successful outcome, write down detailed notes about what happened and the names of the staff members who provided care. Take photos or videos of any injuries and request incident reports from the facility.

Get Help for Abuse in a Nursing Home

Neglect and abuse in nursing homes should never happen. When it does, families may be able to take legal action to pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.

The nursing home lawyers in our network have decades of experience fighting for victims of nursing home abuse and securing substantial compensation on their behalf.

Together, our legal partners have recovered over $280 million for families impacted by nursing home abuse and neglect.

With a nursing home abuse law firm handling the legal process, you can focus on helping your loved one heal and find a safe place to live.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free, no-obligation case review to see if a top firm can fight hard for everything you deserve.

Abuse of the Elderly in Care Homes FAQs

What is the biggest complaint in nursing homes?

One common complaint in nursing homes is the mistreatment of residents. About 10% of patients over age 65 experience some type of abuse, according to research published in Cureus.

Despite state and federal laws regulating quality of care, resident abuse in nursing homes is a widespread problem that is only expected to worsen as the elderly population rapidly increases.

What types of evidence would you report for a case of elder abuse?

If you suspect that a loved one has been a victim of abuse, it’s a good idea to collect as much evidence as soon as you can.

Evidence of senior abuse in nursing homes may include:

Incident reports from the facility or the police
Photos or videos of any injuries
Statements from staff members or residents who witnessed the abuse

A nursing home abuse attorney can collect this information on your behalf, as well as other evidence like surveillance footage and reports from medical experts to help prove your case.

Get a free case review now to see if a top nursing home lawyer may be able to fight for the justice you deserve.

What are the red flags for elder abuse?

The warning signs for elder abuse in assisted living facilities may vary depending on the type of abuse involved and other factors.

Red flags for elder abuse include:

Bruises, burns, or other physical injuries that can’t be explained
Depression, anxiety, or a sudden change in behavior
Diagnosis of a new sexually transmitted disease
Health issues like bedsores that could have been prevented

Talk to your loved one if you spot any of these warning signs of abuse in nursing homes. You can file a report with the police or your state’s Department of Aging.

An attorney for abuse in nursing homes may be able to file a lawsuit on your behalf to hold the facility and at-fault nursing home staff accountable. Compensation secured can help pay for health care expenses and more.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if we can connect you.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Julie RiversEldercare Advocate

Editor

Julie Rivers is a dedicated eldercare advocate with over 15 years of experience in nursing home neglect and abuse cases. Inspired by her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, she blends legal expertise and personal passion to support victims. An MBA graduate and active Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, Julie fights for better eldercare policies and justice for affected families.