Nursing Home Neglect

What Is Neglect in Nursing Homes?

Nursing home neglect occurs when a resident experiences inadequate care, resulting in injury, illness, or mental distress. Long-term care facilities have a duty to provide residents with basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.

Examples of neglect in nursing homes include:

• Failing to provide proper medical or dental care
• Ignoring personal hygiene needs
• Leaving residents with mobility issues unattended for long periods
• Not administering medications correctly or on time
• Preventing residents from socializing

Unfortunately, neglect is all too common, putting vulnerable residents in harm’s way. About 12% of older adults have suffered some form of nursing home neglect, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

If you or a loved one has suffered at the hands of a negligent nursing home, take action without delay. Nursing homes have a duty to keep residents safe. Don’t stay quiet.

Get a free case review now to see if an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer may be able to fight for you.

See If We Can Help You Get Compensation

$400+ thousandaverage nursing home abuse settlement

$304 millionsecured for victims of abuse and neglect

$0upfront or hourly fees

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What Is the Average Settlement for Nursing Home Neglect?

The average nursing home neglect settlement is over $400,000, but the nursing home abuse lawyers in our network have recovered much more compensation for some families.

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

• $18.2 million for an elderly woman in Rhode Island who had a heart attack
• $2 million to a Massachusetts woman who died after her catheter became infected from not being changed
• $1.75 million for an elderly man in Massachusetts who passed away in a fire caused by neglect
• $845,000 on behalf of a nursing home resident hospitalized for bedsores
• $1.5 million to a Minnesota woman with stage 4 bedsores
• $1.11 million for a woman in Florida who suffered a heart attack while in care
• $1 million to the family of a woman who choked to death while on assisted feeding
• $890,000 on behalf of a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect
• $2 million for a California woman with dementia who died after being denied care

Case values may vary based on factors like the injury suffered and its long-term effects. Regardless of the facts of your case, a nursing home neglect attorney will fight to secure as much compensation as quickly as possible.

Types of Neglect in Elderly Care Homes

There are several types of neglect in nursing homes that put residents at risk. Nursing homes are entrusted to provide quality care and can be held accountable if they fail to do so.

Find out about some of the most common types of neglect in a nursing home and how they can cause harm.

Medical Neglect

Medical neglect occurs when nursing home staff fail to provide necessary medical treatment or follow proper health care protocols.

Medical neglect in nursing homes includes:

• Failing to provide proper medical care for health conditions like diabetes or dementia
• Making medication errors
• Neglecting to identify and treat illnesses and infections promptly

A medical mistake or oversight can result in serious injuries or the worsening of a resident’s existing health conditions.

Neglect of Personal Care

Many cognitively and physically impaired residents need help with personal care. Neglecting personal care needs can lead to life-threatening consequences like infectious diseases and late-stage bedsores.

Neglect of personal care needs includes:

• Failing to change bedding or clothing as needed
• Not bathing residents properly or frequently enough
• Providing inadequate dental care
• Repositioning immobile residents infrequently, resulting in stage 4 bedsores

Poor hygiene is a red flag for nursing home neglect. If you suspect your loved one is a victim, a nursing home lawyer can explain your legal options.

Neglect of Basic Needs

This occurs when facilities fail to provide residents with basic necessities like food, water, and a safe living environment.

Neglect of basic needs in nursing homes includes:

• Failing to clean resident rooms and common areas regularly
• Not monitoring residents with mobility issues, leading to preventable falls and fractures
• Providing insufficient food and water, resulting in dehydration or malnutrition

Nursing home neglect of a resident’s basic needs can increase the risk of serious health problems and even result in death in severe cases.

Social and Emotional Neglect

Nursing homes should provide residents with opportunities to socialize. Regular social interactions and activities can significantly improve mental health, while isolation is known to negatively impact the emotional well-being of older adults.

Social and emotional neglect in nursing homes includes:

• Leaving residents with cognitive or mobility issues in their beds
• Neglecting to provide mobility aids like wheelchairs, canes, and walkers
• Not arranging social activities for residents

If nursing homes fail to create opportunities for social interaction, or even prevent residents from socializing, it could be considered neglect.

If you or a loved one has experienced any type of nursing home neglect, we may be able to help. Find out about your legal options with a free case review.

See If We Can Help You Get Compensation

$400+ thousandaverage nursing home abuse settlement

$304 millionsecured for victims of abuse and neglect

$0upfront or hourly fees

Get a Free Case Review

Eligibility to File a Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit

You may be able to file a nursing home neglect lawsuit if you:

• Suffered neglect or abuse in an assisted living facility
• Are the family member of someone who experienced nursing home abuse or neglect

Nursing home negligence lawsuits have strict filing deadlines called statutes of limitations, so it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, you may miss out on your chance to pursue compensation for nursing home abuse or neglect again.

How to File a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Nursing home negligence lawyers understand the emotional and financial costs related to nursing home abuse, so they handle every step of the legal process on your behalf.

With a legal team fighting for your family, you can focus on getting your loved one the care they need and helping them recover from the trauma they’ve suffered.

Nursing home neglect lawsuits typically involve your lawyer:

• Determining your eligibility to take legal action through a free case review
• Collecting evidence to prove nursing home abuse or neglect
• Filing a nursing home neglect lawsuit on your behalf
• Working to negotiate a nursing home settlement without going to court
• Representing you in court and fighting for a nursing home neglect verdict, if necessary

Compensation can help with medical expenses, a safer placement for your loved one, and more.

Working with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer is the best way to build a strong case and ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.

Risk Factors for Neglect in Nursing Home Facilities

Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of nursing home neglect and serious injury to the residents there.

These factors include:

• Insufficient training: Poorly trained staff members put residents at an increased risk for serious nursing home injuries.
• Lack of oversight: Facilities that don’t have enough registered nurses or skilled health care professionals on staff may not be able to keep residents safe and healthy.
• Low pay: Nursing home staff members often have lower salaries than other health care workers. This can lead to high turnover and underskilled and unqualified employees providing critical care.
• Understaffing: One of the main causes of nursing home neglect, it can result in residents not getting the care they need and deserve. Nursing home employees may be overworked and burnt out, meaning they’re more likely to make mistakes.

No matter the reason, nursing home neglect is never acceptable. Elderly residents have a right to live in dignity and be free from physical and emotional abuse.

Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes

Victims may show different warning signs of nursing home neglect depending on how they’ve suffered. These signs can be hard to detect, especially if residents have Alzheimer’s or other dementias and can’t communicate.

Common signs of neglect in nursing homes include:

• Bedsores, especially stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers
• Broken bones, bruises, and burns
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Nursing home falls that could have been prevented
• Significant personality changes like being withdrawn or angry
• Sleep disturbances
• Untreated or new medical conditions

If something seems off, trust your gut. If you suspect elder neglect, consider reaching out to a nursing home neglect attorney. They can recommend next steps and act to protect your legal rights.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect

If you suspect a loved one suffered neglect in a nursing home, it’s important to immediately report it to get the help you need.

Acting quickly can help protect your loved one and increase the chances that the facility will be held accountable for causing harm.

If you suspect nursing home neglect, you can:

• Contact Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement: APS and the local police can quickly get victims of neglect in nursing homes out of an abusive situation.
• Reach out to a nursing home ombudsman: A long-term care ombudsman addresses complaints against care facilities.
• Talk with a social worker: Facilities often have social workers on staff who work with residents and families to provide support and resolve issues like nursing home neglect.
• Get help from a nursing home abuse law firm: A nursing home neglect law firm can help you report elder abuse and pursue compensation to cover related expenses.

Examples of Neglect in Nursing Homes: 2025 Update

In the last year, nursing home neglect and abuse cases made headlines across the country. These reports show the frequency with which neglect occurs and the distress it can cause.

Recent nursing home neglect cases include:

• The owner and operator of four New York nursing homes agreed to a $45 million settlement to resolve claims of neglect involving residents who went without meals, were left in soiled clothing, developed bedsores, and were stolen from.
• Massachusetts nursing home chain Next Step Healthcare LLC agreed to pay $4 million to resolve allegations of understaffing and care failures that resulted in the neglect of residents.
• Attorneys filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of five nursing home residents, accusing the Maryland Department of Health of failing to hold care facilities accountable when they didn’t meet federal and state standards.
• A lawsuit alleged unsafe conditions in West Virginia nursing homes due to lack of staffing and incidents of neglect.
• A man sued a Charlotte, North Carolina, nursing home for negligence, alleging that his 81-year-old grandmother with dementia developed a wound that became infested with maggots.

LawFirm.com works with nursing home abuse lawyers who have recovered over $304 million for families impacted by neglect in nursing homes.

See if a top nursing home neglect lawyer may be able to secure the compensation you deserve by getting a free case review.

See If We Can Help You Get Compensation

$400+ thousandaverage nursing home abuse settlement

$304 millionsecured for victims of abuse and neglect

$0upfront or hourly fees

Get a Free Case Review

Preventing Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

By taking a proactive approach, you can work to keep your loved one safe and free from nursing home neglect and abuse.

7 steps to take to prevent neglect in nursing homes include:

1. Be aware of risk factors: Issues like understaffing, poor management, and inadequate training can increase the risk of neglect.
2. Recognize warning signs: Pressure sores, unexplained injuries, weight loss, depression, and unsanitary conditions may indicate neglect. Watch for these red flags, especially in residents with disabilities or conditions like dementia.
3. Carefully choose a facility: Research nursing homes, read reviews, and speak with residents and families before making a decision.
4. Stay in regular contact: Frequent visits or check-ins help ensure your loved one receives proper nursing home care.
5. Take complaints seriously: Always listen to and investigate concerns about nursing home neglect.
6. Report suspected neglect immediately: Contact Adult Protective Services, a nursing home ombudsman, or local authorities if you suspect caregiver abuse.
7. Seek legal help: A nursing home lawyer can seek compensation and justice if a loved one has been harmed.

By staying proactive, you can help protect family members from neglect and abuse and ensure they receive the quality of care they deserve.

Get Help From a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Nursing homes are entrusted to provide care to residents and treat them with dignity and respect. When residents suffer neglect in nursing homes, they often suffer serious physical and emotional injuries.

LawFirm.com works with nursing home neglect lawyers who can stand up to powerful nursing homes and fight for the justice that victims deserve.

Our trusted legal partners:

• Can help nursing home neglect victims in all 50 states
• Have secured over $304 million for families impacted by abuse and neglect
• Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if a top nursing home neglect attorney may be able to seek justice and compensation for you.