Nursing Home Abuse

When a family reaches the point where they need to find a place for an elderly family member in a nursing home, it’s a big emotionally charged decision for a number of reasons, including the potential for nursing home abuse. Trusting others to love and care for your family is a difficult exercise and it’s often mixed with so many emotions such as guilt and fear. 

The fear typically comes from the level of care they may receive out of the comfort of your home and this is only added to by some of the facilities making headlines for allowing nursing home abuse to happen. And tragically, the situation is becoming an epidemic in the United States. 

The injury attorneys at Thompson Law Firm in Phoenix have significant experience in helping clients who have experienced nursing home abuse.  Our offices are conveniently located in Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person or over the phone or video call.  You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.

To figure out how the nursing home you have chosen for your family is rated and to see if the home has any prior violations, check out our nursing home index. We’ve compiled all of the nursing homes in Arizona as well as their health code reports.

Additionally, take a look at our Nursing Home Glossary– an index of important words you need to know in a nursing home abuse case and their definitions.

If you are unsure whether or not you can afford an attorney, don’t worry. We only get paid when you settle. Check out our Attorney Fees Calculator to find out more.

Read Our Client Reviews

“I can’t thank enough the attorney Ariana Byrd to help my family on our Nursing Home Abuse case, she was very kind and prompt execution, thanks to her we receive the help and the compensation we desire.” – Edwin Jesus (Read this Review on Google)

Nursing Home Abuse Statistics

Shockingly, statistics suggest as many as 5 million senior citizens are abused each year, with abuse taking many forms including emotional, financial, and more sinister; sexual abuse.

Whilst many nursing homes take great care to legislate and regulate their staff and practices to protect residents, there are a few who fall through the cracks and this can lead to neglect or even worse. As a family member visiting someone, it can be hard to spot when abuse may be happening and even harder to then prove it.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

It may be difficult to spot abuse or even gather evidence of it happening to your loved one as it can be discreet or hidden. I’s also likely your family member will feel shame and they may try to hide things from you. Try looking for signs that may include:

• Bruises and cuts with no explanations
• Clothing and bedding that are torn, bloody, or soiled
• Missing or broken personal items
• Unexplained broken bones
• Weight loss or gain that isn’t associated with an illness
• Fear of cowering in the presence of certain caregivers
• Lack of engagement with other residents or generally withdrawn behaviors
• Medications being improperly administered
• Expenses that are unaccounted for

If You Need More Information, Take a Look at These Articles

How do I know what a fair settlement is for my nursing home abuse case? 

When do I need to get a nursing home abuse attorney?

I think my mom may be experiencing sexual abuse in her nursing home. What do I do now? 

What is a survival claim? 

How do medicare benefits affect nursing home abuse settlements? 

How do I file a nursing home abuse claim? 

Who do I contact to file a nursing home abuse complaint? 

What do I need to know when I’m filing a nursing home abuse complaint? 

If my mom’s nursing home abuse injuries were paid through medicare, can we still file a claim? 

I think my dad may be intimidated by another resident. What now? 

What federal laws protect seniors in nursing homes? 

I don’t know if my mom or dad is experiencing nursing home abuse. What signs should I look for? 

What are the different types of nursing home abuse I should be aware of? 

How much liability insurance does my parent’s nursing home carry? 

Can the state take my father’s nursing home abuse settlement? 

What is a care plan, and why is it important?

What is nursing home neglect and how do I know if it’s happening to my dad? 

How does understaffing in nursing homes lead to nursing home abuse? 

How long do I have to file a claim against a nursing home? 

Why is it so important to read your mom’s care plan? 

What is the state of Arizona doing to make sure that nursing homes are safe? 

What issues can I run into when I’m trying to prove nursing home negligence for my mom? 

What is wandering and elopement?

What should I look for when I’m hiring a nursing home abuse attorney? 

How To Report Suspected Abuse

We’ve previously written about the different ways in which you as a family member can report nursing home abuse here, but we’d always recommend speaking to a dedicated lawyer about any kind of abuse that you feel could be happening. If you fear that your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, the first step is to report your concerns to a third party, an attorney, or the manager of the home and start to create a plan of action to help.

Make sure you can provide evidence or have kept a record of your suspicions as these allegations are serious and need to be treated as such.