When you place a family member in the care of a nursing home, you expect that their needs will be met, they will be appropriately cared for and their rights protected. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are often silent victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse and neglect. In spite of State and Federal regulations which have been established to protect the elderly in the nursing home setting, violations of these regulations continue to occur compromising the health, well being and dignity of our society’s most vulnerable members.

There are three main forms of elder abuse that occur in the nursing home setting: physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Physical abuse includes situations where a resident is beaten, struck, kicked or somehow mistreated physically. Sexual abuse can take the form of inappropriate physical contact such as fondling, molestation or even rape. But by far, neglect can be the most insidious and prevalent type of elder abuse occurring in the nursing home setting. Neglect or negligent conduct is actionable against a nursing home facility by showing that the nursing home breached the standard of care owed to a resident by failing to follow adhere to commonly accepted medical or nursing procedures, principles or conduct in caring for a resident.

Common warning signs that a nursing home resident may be suffering abuse or neglect include: rapid weight loss, sudden agitation or emotional withdrawal, bed sores - pressure sores - decubitus ulcers, falls, unexplained bruises or other injuries, or the inability of a caretaker to sufficiently explain the patient’s condition.

Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd. has successfully represented nursing home residents and their families in cases involving: bed sores; pressure sores; decubitus ulcers; wandering and elopement; falls; physical or sexual assault or abuse; malnutrition or dehydration; sepsis; physical or chemical restraints medication errors; clogged breathing tubes. (list down)

If you, a family member or friend has suffered injuries or death as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact our office for a free legal evaluation or complete our case evaluation form.

Click here to fill out our free case evaluator.