How Can I Report Nursing Home Abuse?

When you entrust the care of your loved one to a nursing home, you expect that they will be well treated in accordance with New York’s nursing home laws and regulations. However, if you have concerns about the welfare of a loved one, you may be wondering how you can report nursing home abuse. You can report the suspected abuse to the police, as well as the nursing home administration. There are also other resources available. It is always better to err on the side of caution rather than allow a loved one to stay in a potentially abusive situation. Even if your loved one is fearful or unable to talk about your concerns, you can still take action to protect them.

Different Ways to Report Nursing Home Abuse

There are several different methods of reporting complaints, including:

• Calling the Nursing Home Complaint Dedicated Hotline at 1-888-201-4563
• Completing New York State Department of Health’s Nursing Home online complaint form
• If you have concerns about your loved one's immediate safety, contact the local police authorities
• Reach out to your loved ones doctor or other health care providers as long as they are not involved in the abuse
• Contact a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney for a free consultation to learn about your legal options

For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400

We Can Help You Put a Stop to Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Nursing home abuse is a serious crime that can be devastating for victims and their families. If you believe your loved one was harmed due to nursing home abuse, you have the right to open an investigation into what happened. Common causes of abuse in long term care settings can include:

• Medical negligence
• Lack of supervision
• Environmental hazards
• Unsanitary conditions
• Improper wound care
• Inadequate staff training or employee vetting procedures
• Understaffing
• Medication errors
• Substandard levels of care
• Poorly-maintained mobility equipment

By opening an investigation, you can take steps to protect your loved one and shield other residents from further abuse. In some cases, you may hold the nursing facility financially accountable. However, litigation in nursing home abuse can be challenging, for example:

• Gathering evidence to support your case can be difficult due to poorly maintained patient documentation or unreported incidents.
• Multiple parties may have caused or contributed to the injury, adding complexity to the legal process.
• Nursing care facilities have access to specialist lawyers and the budget to defend claims brought against them.
• The nursing home may fight the accusation, attributing the injury to pre-existing health conditions.

After reporting nursing home abuse to the appropriate authorities, you can learn about your legal options during a free consultation with our team. We can help you determine whether you can pursue the matter further and help you seek compensation on behalf of your loved one to pay for the unexpected medical costs ensuing from a nursing home injury.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and What to Do If You See Them

It can be difficult to determine whether your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse or neglect.  abuse. However, pointers that could indicate something is wrong can include:

• Sudden or unexplained changes in behavior or sleep patterns
• New onset of anxiety, depression, or fear
• Withdrawal from social events, family, or friends
• Unexplained or recurring bruises, cuts, or burns
• Broken bones or fractures
• Unexplained confinement
• Bedsores
• Sudden weight loss
• Unkempt appearance
• Stained or torn clothing or bedding
• Bruises or bleeding around the genitals
• Untimely or unexplained death
• Loss of personal property or strange financial transactions

This is just a handful of potential indicators of abuse. If you do suspect the worst, you can document your findings by observing the behavior of your loved one and taking notes. It can also be beneficial to take pictures of their injuries. Further, if witnesses saw the abuse, record their version of what happened and take their contact details.

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Potential Compensation

The lawyers at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., are committed to helping victims of nursing home abuse and their families seek justice and financial recovery for a variety of types of damages, such as:

• Medical costs to treat the harm inflicted through elder abuse
• Future rehabilitation costs, such as counseling
• Medical treatment costs
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death

Work With Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney We are a client-focused and results-driven legal practice. We only charge fees for the cases we win and provide a free consultation where you can learn about your legal options. If you suspect your loved one is the victim of elder abuse, talk to a member of our team in confidence at (516) 932-0400 for support and advice.

Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form