Nursing Home Abuse

Suspect Your Loved One Is Being Hurt or Neglected? Trust Your Instincts. We Will Help You Protect Them.

Finding a loved one with unexplained injuries, sudden weight loss, or a noticeable change in personality is heartbreaking. When you placed them in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you trusted the staff to provide care and safety. When that trust is broken through abuse or neglect, it is not just a mistake it is a profound betrayal that demands justice. At Choudhry & Franzoni Law Group, we stand with families to hold negligent facilities accountable, stop the harm, and secure the resources needed for proper care.

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Abuse and neglect in care facilities are not the same, but both cause immense suffering. It is crucial to recognize the signs.

Nursing Home Abuse is the intentional act of causing harm, intimidation, or distress to a resident. It can be:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, restraining improperly, or handling a resident roughly.
• Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Yelling, humiliation, threats, isolation, or verbal intimidation.
• Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation.
• Financial Exploitation: Stealing money or belongings, forging checks, or coercing a resident to change a will or power of attorney.

Nursing Home Neglect is the failure to provide the basic care a resident needs, resulting in harm or risk of harm. This is often due to understaffing or poorly trained staff. Neglect includes:

• Medical Neglect: Failing to administer medications properly, not treating bedsores (pressure ulcers), ignoring signs of infection, or not responding to medical emergencies.
• Basic Needs Neglect: Not providing adequate food, water, or a clean and safe environment. This leads to dehydration, malnutrition, and unsanitary living conditions.
• Personal Hygiene Neglect: Not assisting with bathing, oral care, or changing soiled bedding and clothing.
• Social/Emotional Neglect: Isolating a resident, ignoring their requests for help, or leaving them alone for extended periods.

The Real Causes: Understaffing, Profit Over People, and Lack of Oversight

These tragedies are almost never isolated incidents. They are systemic failures. When we investigate, we often find:

• Severe Understaffing: Corporate owners cutting costs by hiring too few aides, leading to rushed, poor care and ignored call bells.
• Poorly Trained or Vetted Staff: Facilities failing to conduct proper background checks or provide adequate training on dementia care, lifting techniques, and abuse prevention.
• Pressure to Maximize Profits: Large corporate chains prioritizing financial returns over resident care, leading to shortages of supplies and staff.
• Failure to Follow Care Plans: Ignoring the individualized plan created for each resident’s specific medical and personal needs.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect

Your observations are vital. Trust yourself if you notice:

Signs of Physical Abuse or Neglect:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or fractures
• Frequent falls or injuries
• Bedsores (pressure ulcers), especially on heels, tailbone, or hips
• Signs of restraint on wrists or ankles
• Poor personal hygiene, unwashed hair, soiled clothing
• Rapid weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Untreated medical conditions or infections 

Signs of Emotional/Psychological Harm:

• Your loved one becomes withdrawn, depressed, or unusually anxious
• They seem fearful around certain staff members
• They exhibit behaviors like rocking or mumbling
• The staff prevents you from visiting alone or insists on being present

Signs of Financial Exploitation:

• Missing cash, jewelry, or personal items
• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
• Unpaid bills despite available funds
• Sudden changes to a will or power of attorney

Your Loved One’s Legal Rights and How We Enforce Them

Nursing home residents are protected by both New York State laws and federal regulations, including the Nursing Home Reform Act. These laws guarantee their right to dignity, safety, and proper medical care. When a facility violates these rights, they can be held legally liable.

A lawsuit for abuse or neglect is not just about money. It serves to:

1. Secure Justice and Accountability for the harm done.
2. Obtain Financial Compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and the cost of moving to a safe facility.
3. Force Change at the facility to protect current and future residents.

What to Do If You Suspect Abuse or Neglect: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Ensure Immediate Safety. If you believe your loved one is in imminent danger, call 911 or local law enforcement immediately.
2. Seek Medical Attention. Have your loved one evaluated by an independent doctor not associated with the facility. This documents the injuries and their cause.
3. Document Everything.
   • Take detailed notes of your concerns with dates and times.
   • Take clear photographs of any injuries, unsanitary conditions, or hazards.
   • Keep a log of all conversations with staff and administrators, including names.
4. Report the Abuse.
   • File a formal complaint with the New York State Department of Health, which licenses and inspects nursing homes.
   • Report to Adult Protective Services in the county where the facility is located.
5. Do NOT Confront the Staff or Administrator Aggressively. While you should voice your concerns, avoid dramatic confrontations that could allow the facility to label you as disruptive or lead them to cover up evidence.
6. Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer. Call Choudhry & Franzoni Law Group at 516 888 1234.We will advise you on the next steps, help you secure evidence, and begin a thorough, confidential investigation.

Why Families Choose Choudhry & Franzoni Law Group

• We Handle These Cases with Sensitivity and Strength. We understand the emotional turmoil your family is experiencing. We listen with compassion and act with determination.
• We Know How to Investigate Facilities. We secure staffing records, care plans, incident reports, and other internal documents that the facility will not willingly provide.
• We Work with Experts. We consult with medical professionals, geriatric care managers, and forensic accountants to build an undeniable case.
• We Fight to Stop the Pattern. Our goal is not only to compensate your family but also to expose dangerous practices and prevent others from suffering.
• No Fee Promise. We handle these cases on a contingency basis. You pay no legal fees unless we win a settlement or verdict for you.

Your loved one’s voice may be silenced, but yours does not have to be. Let us help you speak for them.

Take Action to Protect Your Loved One Today

Do not wait for the situation to get worse. If you see signs of abuse or neglect, get help. Call Choudhry & Franzoni Law Group now at 516 888 1234. We will provide you with clear guidance, answer your urgent questions, and explain how we can help you seek justice and secure safety for your family member.