Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Advances in public health policy, medical care, and diet have contributed to an incredible increase in the life expectancy of Americans. An American child born in 2010 is expected to live to 79, 20 more years than was expected in 1930! But with this increase in lifespan comes an increase in the need for specialized care.

Many of us turn to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes to provide for our elderly loved ones. Widespread social beliefs now overwhelmingly approve of nursing home care, over in-home care, as a viable option for our loved ones. It seems perfectly natural to send our family members to these institutions. And while most nursing facilities devote the proper time and attention to our loved ones’ needs, it’s all too common to observe signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.

What to do about nursing home abuse is less clear. How can I be sure that abuse or neglect is occurring in my loved one’s nursing home? What are the legal ramifications of making an accusation of elder abuse or neglect against a caregiver? These are some of the many questions that a Philadelphia nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can help you answer.

The National Center On Elder Abuse defines “elder mistreatment (i.e. abuse and neglect)” as “intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder.” As unimaginable as this description is, upwards of 10% of elderly Americans will suffer abuse and/or neglect at least once after reaching old age.

As our loved ones age, they become more vulnerable to abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities, group homes, and nursing homes. Many factors contribute to the prevalence of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. For a more comprehensive look, visit our FAQ section. As people age, many lose the ability to defend themselves, often as a result of common mental deterioration. This increased vulnerability has often been cited as a determining factor in the high rates of elder abuse. For example, in a 2010 study, researchers at UC Irvine found that 47% of elderly sufferers of dementia had been abused by caregivers.

Nursing home abuse comes in many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, negligent care, and financial exploitation. For more information, see our FAQ on types of elder abuse.

Emotions are high around cases of elder abuse and neglect. It takes an amazing amount of trust to give the task of caring for our loved ones over to someone else, a non-family member, and most of the time a stranger. When this trust is violated, it can be shattering.

At PA Nursing Home Lawyers, our sole mission is to offer legal representation to families whose loved ones have been harmed by abuse or neglect. If you suspect that you or a loved one were the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or group home, contacting an experienced Pennsylvania elder abuse lawyer is the first step in your search for justice. For a free case evaluation, please call (215) 240-7771 or complete our online contact form. Your loved ones deserve dignity.