Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

As our loved ones enter nursing homes or assisted living facilities, we expect them to be cared for in the same way their family members would. Unfortunately, there are times when this does not happen, and our elderly loved ones are neglected leading to trauma, injury, or even death.

If you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, whether intentional or not, call Joe Stampone and his staff at Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway. Our expert nursing home abuse attorneys are ready to help you get the settlement or verdict you deserve.

Recognizing elder abuse in a nursing home can be particularly challenging, especially if your loved one is suffering from cognitive decline or memory issues. This makes it harder for them to communicate what they’re experiencing.

However, there are key warning signs to watch for that can indicate potential abuse or neglect by caregivers. Being vigilant about these signs can help protect your loved one and build a case if necessary.

Signs of Elder Abuse:

Some red flags of elder abuse include:

Unexplained Bruises or Cuts: If your loved one has bruises, cuts, or other injuries that can’t be explained, or if there is a history of frequent injuries, it could be a sign of physical abuse. It’s essential to ask questions and get clarity on how these injuries occurred.
Dehydration and Weight Loss: Sudden or severe weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition can be indicators of neglect, particularly if the facility is not providing adequate meals or fluids. Pay close attention to their eating habits and hydration levels.
Changes to Legal Documents (Such as a Will): If there are unexpected changes to your loved one’s will, trust, or other legal documents, this may be a sign of financial abuse. Elderly individuals are often targets for manipulation, and sudden alterations to their legal affairs can signal foul play.
Physical and/or Emotional Withdrawal from Activities or Socialization: If your loved one begins to withdraw from activities, refuses to participate in social events, or exhibits signs of fear or anxiety, it could indicate emotional abuse or neglect. A sudden shift in behavior should always raise concern.
Unexplained Illnesses: Recurrent or unexplained illnesses, particularly ones that don’t seem to improve, can suggest medical neglect or improper care. These conditions may be due to a lack of proper hygiene, medication errors, or failure to address basic health needs.

While nursing homes and assisted living facilities may claim staff shortages, this is never an excuse for mistreatment. Adequate care must still be provided, and neglect or abuse is unacceptable regardless of staffing challenges.

If you notice any of these signs or if they were present before your loved one’s passing, it is crucial to contact an attorney who specializes in elder abuse cases. Our team is ready to help you take legal action and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Elder Abuse vs. Elder Neglect: Understanding the Difference

Elder abuse and elder neglect are both serious issues that can have a lasting impact on an elderly individual’s health and well-being. While they are often used interchangeably, these terms describe distinct forms of mistreatment in nursing homes and other caregiving environments.

Elder Abuse refers to intentional acts of harm directed at an elderly person. This can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Physical abuse often involves hitting, slapping, or causing other bodily harm. Emotional abuse can include verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation. In some cases, elder abuse may also extend to financial exploitation, where caregivers or others take advantage of an elderly person’s financial resources. Abuse is deliberate and usually involves an individual consciously inflicting harm on the victim.

Elder Neglect, on the other hand, is the failure to provide necessary care, support, or attention to an elderly person, which can result in physical harm or emotional distress. Unlike abuse, neglect is not intentional, but it can still have severe consequences. Neglect can manifest in various ways, such as failure to provide adequate food, water, medical care, or hygiene. A nursing home or caregiver may neglect an elderly person due to inattention, inadequate training, or lack of resources. In more severe cases, neglect can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, untreated medical conditions, or unsafe living environments.

Both abuse and neglect can be damaging to elderly individuals, but understanding the difference can help determine how to address the situation. While abuse often requires immediate intervention and legal action against the perpetrators, neglect may involve addressing systemic issues within a caregiving facility. Regardless of the form it takes, it’s important for family members to be vigilant and proactive in ensuring their loved ones are receiving the care and respect they deserve.

Learn How to Stop Nursing Home Abuse

Knowing the signs of elder abuse is just the first step. Once you’ve identified nursing home abuse, you need to report it to the police and reach out to one of our elder abuse lawyers. We can help you navigate your case, protect your loved ones, and ensure the abuse never happens again, all while recovering the compensation you deserve for the damages that were caused.

When the most innocent and vulnerable are affected by facilities who ignore basic safety rules, our attorneys will be there to pursue and find justice. Some of our recent successes include:

Confidential Six-Figure Settlement – Our client committed suicide while a patient in an assisted living facility due to lack of proper supervision.
$245,000 Settlement – Our client, a mental health patient, was sexually assaulted by an employee at an assisted living facility performing a skin check of our client’s legs. An internal investigation performed by the facility determined the claim was unfounded and the employee was reinstated to full work status. Six months later, the Department of Health discovered a previously unreported incident involving the employee and another patient. Our attorneys successfully argued the technician would have been fired before having the opportunity to assault our client had the facility properly reported, monitored, and investigated alleged sexual assault of patients by staff.
$225,000 Settlement – Our client suffered orthopedic injuries while a patient in a nursing home resulting from the failure to properly secure her in her wheelchair.
$200,000 Settlement – Our client, a minor, was injured when his nurse failed to properly secure him in his wheelchair causing him to suffer a serious head injury requiring surgery.
$100,000 Settlement – Our client received a settlement award after suffering a burn injury resulting from a compress being overheated in a microwave by the nursing staff.