We help people get the compensation they deserve.Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect?
Yes, if a nursing home causes a resident to suffer an injury due to improper care, you may be able to take legal action. Suing a nursing home for neglect allows families to seek compensation to help cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. See if a top nursing home neglect attorney can help you sue a nursing home for neglect.
Why Take Legal Action?
By filing a nursing home neglect 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
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Julie Rivers
Understanding Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuits
Nursing home neglect occurs when staff members fail to provide residents with necessary care. This can have devastating consequences, like life-threatening infections, severe bedsores, dehydration, malnutrition, and, in extreme cases, death.
Residents and their loved ones may be able to sue a nursing home or assisted living facility for negligence if the mistreatment led to an injury or wrongful death. Money from a lawsuit can help with medical bills, transfer to a safer home, funeral costs, and more.
In November 2025, a jury awarded a record-breaking $12.2 million in an Illinois nursing home neglect lawsuit brought by the family of a 79-year-old Chicago woman who died from complications related to infected bedsores.
LawFirm.com works with nursing home neglect attorneys who’ve recovered over $318 million for families nationwide. They never charge any upfront costs and can help families in all 50 states.
Our nursing home lawyers can handle all of the legal work involved in suing a nursing home for neglect, so you can focus on your loved one’s health, safety, and well-being. Get started right now with a free case review.
How Much Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence?
The amount you can sue a nursing home for negligence depends on several factors, including the severity of the neglect, the extent of the resident’s injuries, and whether the harm resulted in wrongful death.
The average nursing home settlement for cases of severe neglect is about $400,000, but our legal partners have recovered more substantial compensation for many families.
Nursing home neglect settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:
- $18.2 million to a woman in Rhode Island who suffered a heart attack while in nursing home care
- $2 million for a Massachusetts woman who died from an infection caused by a catheter that wasn’t changed
- $1.5 million on behalf of a resident in Minnesota who developed stage 4 bedsores
- $1.35 million to a patient in Alabama who suffered a serious shoulder injury
- $1.2 million for an Illinois resident who developed a kidney infection and bedsores
- $890,000 to a nursing home resident in Kentucky harmed by neglect
- $625,000 to a Florida woman whose mother died after a preventable nursing home fall
- $1.18 million for an Indiana nursing home patient harmed by negligence
- $1.75 million to the family of a Massachusetts resident who died in a fire caused by neglect
- $2 million for a man in California whose wife with dementia died within 48 hours of entering a care facility
“Nursing home lawsuit settlements are meant to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the long-term impact on the family. A nursing home neglect lawyer can give a better estimate based on the details of your case and fight to recover the full compensation your family may deserve.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
The attorneys in our network have the resources and experience needed to pursue the most compensation possible in your case when suing a nursing home for neglect.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if a top lawyer in our network may be able to seek a nursing home neglect settlement for you. There’s no cost to speak with our team.
Can I Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect?
Yes, you can sue a nursing home for neglect if the facility’s actions or failure to act caused harm to a resident.
Lawsuits may be brought by the resident, certain family members, or an estate representative in wrongful death cases, depending on the circumstances and state law.
To sue a nursing home for negligence, you generally must prove:
- Duty of care: The nursing home owed the resident a legal duty to provide proper care and supervision.
- Breach of duty: The facility failed to meet that duty through neglect, understaffing, or substandard care.
- Damages: The neglect directly caused the resident to suffer injuries or other losses.
Damages in a nursing home neglect lawsuit can include physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, and more.
A nursing home neglect lawyer can gather medical records, facility reports, expert testimony, and other evidence needed to support your claim.
How to Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence
Nursing home abuse attorneys handle all the legal work involved in suing a nursing home for negligence, making the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
With an experienced team fighting for justice on your family’s behalf, you can focus on your loved one’s recovery. Learn more about what to expect during the legal process.
1. Get a Free Case Review
The first step toward justice is getting a free case review to see if you may be able to take legal action without any financial risk.
We work with nursing home negligence lawyers who have a track record of success, never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, and can help families in all 50 states.
2. Collect Evidence of Negligence
Your legal team will gather evidence to build a strong case in preparation for suing a nursing home for negligence.
Evidence needed to win a nursing home neglect lawsuit may include:
- Doctor reports
- Medical bills
- Nursing home records
- Photographs of injuries
- Witness statements
Past complaints of neglect may also be used to show that the facility has a history of providing substandard care and failed to take steps to improve resident safety.
3. File Your Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit
Your lawyer will file your nursing home lawsuit before the statute of limitations in your case. This state-specific law limits how much time you have to sue a nursing home for negligence.
Your nursing home abuse attorney can explain the timeline that applies in your case and work to ensure your lawsuit is filed correctly and before the deadline.
4. Access Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit Settlements
By negotiating with the nursing home and its insurance companies, your lawyer will attempt to secure nursing home neglect settlements that provide as much compensation as possible.
Most nursing home lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, which typically provide families with faster access to money while avoiding the hassle of a trial.
However, if your case doesn’t settle, your team will be prepared to fight for your family in court and work to secure compensation from a nursing home neglect verdict.
When to Sue a Nursing Home for Negligence
You should consider suing a nursing home for negligence once there is reason to believe a facility’s failure to provide proper care caused serious injury or wrongful death.
An attorney can help confirm whether what happened rises to the level of negligence and whether legal action is warranted.
“You do not need to have proof before speaking with a nursing home neglect lawyer. If you’re concerned that something is wrong, that’s enough to start the conversation.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
If you’re worried about a loved one’s care, call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to discuss your concerns and learn whether you may be able to sue a nursing home for negligence.
What Is Considered Negligence in a Nursing Home?
Nursing home negligence occurs when a facility fails to meet a resident’s basic care needs, causing injury or worsening an existing medical condition. These failures can have serious and sometimes life-threatening consequences.
Common types of nursing home neglect include:
- Neglect of basic care: Caregivers are required to provide residents with adequate food, water, mobility assistance, and help using the bathroom. Failing to meet these needs can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and infections.
- Neglect of personal care: Residents’ hygiene, clothing, and bedding must be properly maintained. Poor personal care can cause skin breakdown, infected bedsores, and urinary tract infections, all of which increase the risk of sepsis if left untreated.
- Medical neglect: When nursing home staff fail to attend to a resident’s health care needs, it may be considered medical malpractice. Ignoring pressure ulcers, making medication errors, or failing to send a resident to the hospital can result in serious harm.
- Neglect of supervision: Inadequate supervision can result in preventable falls, choking incidents, wandering, or assaults by other residents. Individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, are particularly vulnerable when supervision is lacking.
- Understaffing or negligent hiring: Nursing homes that fail to employ enough qualified staff may miss signs of distress, delay medical care, or leave residents unsupervised. Chronic understaffing often contributes to falls, untreated infections, and even sexual abuse due to poor supervision.
Regardless of the type of neglect your loved one suffered, the nursing home attorneys in our network may be able to file a neglect case on your behalf and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Families may suspect a loved one is being neglected at a nursing home facility, but it can be difficult to determine what constitutes neglect.
All families should be vigilant and look for signs of nursing home neglect and elder abuse to ensure the safety and well-being of a loved one.
Warning signs of nursing home neglect include:
- Bedsores
- Broken bones, bruises, or burns
- Dental problems
- Fear or anxiety
- New medical conditions
- Personality changes
- Poor personal hygiene
- Severe weight loss
- Unadministered medications
- Other nursing home injuries
If there is no clear explanation for a resident’s injury or health condition, neglect or abuse may be involved and legal action may be warranted.
Download our Free Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney to find a top lawyer who can fight for you.
How to Document Neglect for a Nursing Home Lawsuit
Documenting neglect is an important step when preparing to sue a nursing home for negligence. Even small details can help establish a pattern of mistreatment and strengthen a legal claim.
Helpful ways to document nursing home complaints include:
- Take notes: Write down dates, times, and descriptions of concerning incidents, such as missed medications, untreated infections, poor hygiene, or sudden changes in health.
- Photograph injuries or conditions: Pictures of bedsores, bruises, unsanitary living conditions, or medical equipment issues can provide powerful evidence.
- Request medical records: Obtain copies of care plans, medication logs, hospital transfer records, and infection reports when possible.
- Save communications: Keep emails, messages, and written complaints sent to or received from the nursing home staff or administrators.
- Identify witnesses: Note the names of staff members, residents, or visitors who may have observed the neglect.
You do not need to gather all of this evidence on your own before speaking with a lawyer. A
nursing home neglect attorney can investigate the facility, secure records, and help determine whether you have grounds to sue for negligence.
Get Help With a Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit
Nursing home neglect can cause emotional damage and serious injuries to elderly residents. Tragically, it can also result in the wrongful death of a beloved family member.
The nursing home neglect attorneys in our network have dedicated their careers to advocating for the rights of our most vulnerable citizens. They can even the playing field for families and fight for justice on their behalf.
Our partner nursing home law firms have secured over $318 million for victims of nursing home neglect and abuse nationwide.
There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with the nursing home negligence lawyers in our network, and they can help families in all 50 states.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if one of our trusted partners may be able to help your family.
FAQs About How to Sue a Nursing Home for Neglect
Yes, you may be able to sue a nursing home for negligence if the mistreatment caused you or a loved one harm.
Examples of nursing home negligence include:
- Failing to prevent falls
- Ignoring hygiene
- Mismanaging medical conditions
- Not providing proper hydration or nutrition
An experienced lawyer can tell you if you can sue a nursing home for neglect and fight for you if you have a case. Get a free case review now to get started.
Different types of evidence may be used to prove nursing home negligence and hold facilities accountable.
Evidence for proving nursing home negligence may include:
- Medical records
- Notes detailing what happened
- Photos or video footage
- Witness accounts
A nursing home negligence attorney can collect evidence to establish that a facility’s carelessness caused a resident harm and build a strong legal claim.
The amount of money that you may receive if you sue a nursing home depends on the type of mistreatment you or a loved one suffered, your personal injuries, damages, and other factors.
However, the average nursing home settlement is about $400,000, with some residents securing $1 million or more in cases of severe harm.
Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if you can sue a nursing home for neglect and seek compensation.
You can increase your chances of a favorable outcome by working with a lawyer who has successfully handled nursing home lawsuits in the past.
The nursing home lawyers in our network have recovered meaningful compensation for neglect and abuse victims across the country, including $2 million for a Massachusetts resident and $1.5 million for a Minnesota resident.
Call (888) 726-9160 to find out if one of our trusted legal partners may be able to fight for you.
Experienced nursing home lawyers make the process of suing a nursing home as easy and stress-free as possible.
A nursing home attorney can:
- Collect evidence of neglect and abuse
- Build a strong nursing home negligence lawsuit
- Work to secure maximum compensation
With a legal team handling all aspects of suing a nursing home for negligence, you can focus on helping your loved one recover.
The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for nursing home neglect depends on your state’s statute of limitations. In many states, the deadline is between 2-3 years from the date the neglect occurred or from when the injury was discovered.
Shorter deadlines may apply in wrongful death cases or when a government-owned facility is involved.
Because these deadlines are strict, waiting too long can prevent you from taking legal action. Speaking with a nursing home neglect lawyer as soon as possible can help ensure your claim is filed on time and that important evidence is preserved.
A red flag in a nursing home is a warning sign that a resident may be experiencing neglect or unsafe conditions. Red flags often point to failures in care, supervision, or infection control that can place residents at serious risk.
Common nursing home red flags include:
- Changes in behavior or alertness
- Frequent falls
- Poor hygiene
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration
- Unexplained injuries
- Untreated infections
- Worsening bedsores
If you notice red flags, it may be time to speak with an attorney. An lawyer attorney can help determine whether the signs you’re seeing indicate negligence and whether you can sue a nursing home for neglect.
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.
Written by: Rae Theodore
Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.
- Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). “Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.” Retrieved from https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program.
- Cornell Law School: Legal Information Institute. (2022). “Discovery.” Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/discovery.
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- National Library of Medicine: PubMed. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2021). “High prevalence of elder abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: risk and resilience factors.” Chang ES, Levy BR. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33518464/.
- ProPublica. (2025). “Nursing Home Inspect.” Retrieved from https://projects.propublica.org/nursing-homes/#understanding_deficiencies.
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