Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

Representing Victims of Elder Abuse

Nearly every adult will someday require assistance with daily care, whether it is provided in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in the home. At that point, the person becomes vulnerable to abuse and neglect at the hands of the caretaker. At Woomer & Hall, our personal injury attorneys advocate for the right of every member of our society to live through his or her senior years safely and with dignity.

If you are concerned that a person has been the victim of physical, emotional, or financial abuse, please contact our Pittsburgh office to arrange a free consultation with an elder abuse lawyer, and find out what the patient's rights are under Pennsylvania and federal law.

The Result Matters: As personal injury lawyers, our representation is focused on results: verdicts and settlements. We have successfully recovered millions for our clients, compensation they have used to rebuild their lives after tragedies.

Nursing home neglect or elder abuse is most commonly the result of a conscious decision on the part of the corporation that owns the long-term care facility or home healthcare service. Inadequate staffing, training, and supervision, failure to perform background checks on new employees, and failure to provide social interaction or an adequate diet are all examples of cost-cutting measures that place corporate profits over patient safety. A person being cared for in the home by a relative, acquaintance, or home healthcare aid is also vulnerable to physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation.

Identifying nursing home negligence and elder abuse

It is important, if you are the primary advocate for a vulnerable adult, to visit frequently. If you observe any of the following signs of neglect or abuse, ask the staff for explanations:

• Bedsores, also called decubitus ulcers or pressure sores (severe bedsores can lead to necrosis/gangrene)
• Improper restraint and over sedation
• Choking due to inappropriate diet
• Medication errors and overmedication
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• A fracture or bruising resulting from a slip and fall accident or dropping a patient
• Untreated infections, failure to refer to a doctor
• Complaints of harassment or sexual assault
• Anxiety on the part of the patient, or angry behavior on the part of staff

Consult with a lawyer if you know of a victim of elder abuse: If you suspect someone you know is being subjected to abuse or neglect, it is extremely important that you seek advice from an attorney with experience in elder abuse and nursing home negligence.

If you would like to speak with a member of Woomer & Hall, please contact our Pittsburgh law office and arrange a free consultation and case evaluation. We represent clients throughout western Pennsylvania. Our lawyer will visit you in your home, nursing home, assisted living facility, or hospital and provide a frank assessment of your legal position. We charge no attorneys' fees or costs of any kind unless we recover compensation on your behalf.