One of the most harrowing aspects of the Coronavirus pandemic is the huge toll Covid-19 took on nursing home residents. By late April 2021, the New York Times reported that at least 182,000 deaths in nursing homes were linked to the virus – over a third of all Covid-19 deaths in the United States. Failures – on multiple levels – have been cited as leading to this human tragedy. But for some observers, including Human Rights Watch, this was both preventable and predictable. The pandemic simply shone a spotlight on a system that was failing vulnerable people before the virus outbreak. Abuse, neglect and chronic staff shortages are cited among top reasons for the huge number of excess nursing home deaths and injuries – both physical and psychological –in recent years.

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about American nursing homes, and it has called for government authorities to “investigate the situation and ensure accountability for abuse.” Concerns include: “extreme weight loss, dehydration, untreated bedsores, inadequate hygiene, mental and physical decline, and inappropriate use of psychotropic medications among nursing home residents.” Estimates vary – ranging from 7,000 to 20,000 per year – on the number of elder abuse cases reported in nursing homes in the United States. But major observers, including the CDC and WHO, agree that elder abuse statistics in nursing homes are badly underreported, with the true figures said to be much, much higher. 

If you have concerns over nursing home abuse of a loved one, we urge you to contact an expert nursing home abuse lawyer to get justice and compensation. There is a growing consensus that what is happening to our elderly is a national scandal. Deciding a family member should enter a nursing home is momentous, and it can take a toll – emotionally and financially – on both the resident and members of the family. It seems reasonable to expect professional, compassionate, attentive care. As US citizens, the elderly is protected by law from abuse, neglect and mistreatment. When mistreatment, neglect or abuse are suspected, specialist elder abuse law firms can secure justice for your loved ones. 

The National Council on Ageing (NCOA) reports that around five million cases of elderly abuse are reported each year, and it points to “staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities” among the perpetrators. Worryingly, the NCOA also cites a study that just one in 24 elder abuse cases is reported. It is a silent tragedy, a scandal that mainstream media is slowly waking up to. There are around 1.25 million nursing home residents in the US, and it’s clear many are suffering abuse and neglect. If you have concerns, nursing abuse law firms have expert attorneys that understand what is considered a specialist area of the law. 

Many news outlets are reporting that nursing home companies are countering lawsuits through Trump-era protections. The former President and Congress amended the PREP Act, which afforded legal protections to nursing homes from liability during the pandemic. There is much confusion and even misreporting of this in the media. But it should be made clear: The PREP Act does not apply in cases of injury or death over “willful misconduct.” Moreover, Reuters reports, “no judge has yet adopted the nursing homes’ view of the law.”  

Depending on the severity of the nursing home abuse injuries, substantial compensation can be secured through a lawsuit. Payouts can vary dramatically, of course, but some notable nursing home abuse settlements and payouts are listed below:

• An 84-year-old from Illinois was awarded $1.4 after suffering burns when placed in a hot bath by nurses. 
• A family received $1.2 million after video evidence emerged of nursing home staff physically abusing and trying to suffocate a 92-year-old relative. 
• An 83-year-old woman’s family received $500,000 in compensation after suffering multiple fractures, and subsequent death, after falling from a mechanical lift when being transferred at a nursing home. 
• A 69-year-old resident at a Massachusetts nursing home was dropped as a result of a transfer using a Hoyer lift in 2017. $3 million was secured for the man’s family. 
• A 73-year-old army veteran’s family received a settlement of $962,500 after the man choked on his food. The Massachusetts nursing home failed to notify the family that two choking incidents had occurred previously. 

A variety of factors can lead to nursing home abuse, and it’s worth remembering that the signs may be hard to detect. However, the NCOA breaks down the signs of elder abuse into three distinct categories: Physical, Emotional/Behavioral and Financial.

Physical signs of elder abuse could include bruises, weight loss, cuts, dehydration, and other injuries. You should also keep a check on the sanitary condition of the nursing home resident, as poor hygiene is considered a warning sign of nursing home neglect and abuse. 

Behavioral signs of nursing home abuse can be more difficult to detect than physical injury. Watch out for sudden changes in alertness, mood, isolation, and withdrawal from activities. Arguments and strained relationships could also point to emotional abuse, and changes in sleep patterns can appear when residents are under physical or mental abuse. 

Financial signs of abuse may be reflected in the non-payment of bills, the transfer of money from bank accounts to other accounts, strange spending patterns and the sudden changing of a will. 

A statute of limitations governs the amount of time that can elapse between an incident of wrongdoing and commencing legal action. Often, the statute of limitations is much shorter for civil lawsuits than criminal cases, and nursing home abuse cases often fall into the latter category. However, you should pay attention to the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse in your state, as it can vary state by state. 

Some states – Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee – only have a one-year statute of limitations on nursing home abuse cases. This means you have a year from the date of the incident or injury to begin legal proceedings. However, we would stress that even if you believe you have passed the statute of limitations, it is still wise to speak to a nursing home injury lawyer. Often, abuse is an ongoing situation, and it may not be limited to a single incident, perhaps extending the time limits. 

The majority of states have two- and three-year statute of limitations on elder abuse in nursing homes. These include populous states like California, Texas, and Pennsylvania (two years), and states like New York, Massachusetts, North and South Carolina (three years). Florida has a four-year statute of limitation on nursing home abuse, whereas Maine and Vermont both have the longest statute of limitations (six years). 

• Bedsores – also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, bedsores can occur when someone is confined to a bed or wheelchair for long periods. 
• Falls – falls in nursing homes are prevalent, and they are the most common (36%) cause of preventable emergency room visits for nursing home patients. Causes vary, but they can include lack of monitoring, improper medication and faulty equipment (wheelchairs/walkers).  
• Fractures – a common injury in nursing homes, fractures and broken bones can often go undetected if the nursing home lacks proper monitoring. This leads to undue pain and suffering for the resident. 
• Choking – choking is a real danger for nursing home residents, particularly during mealtimes. Nursing homes have an obligation to monitor at-risk residents and to mitigate risk through diet planning. 
• Wrongful Death – wrongful deaths can occur due to abuse or neglect, as well as a variety of other factors. In 2020, the Associated Press reported on an increase of premature and preventable deaths at US nursing homes that were not directly linked to Covid-19. 
• Malnutrition – not having enough to eat, or not enough of the right food groups, can lead to death in nursing homes. A study published in 2015 found that approximately 20% of nursing home residents had some form of malnutrition. 
• Inappropriate Care – many factors can add up to improper care of nursing home residents, including lack of training for staff, monitoring failures and other forms of neglect. 
• Medication Errors – the majority of nursing home residents require daily medication. Failures to administer medicines – including wrong dosage and wrong medication – can lead to serious illness and accidents like falls. 
• Serious Injuries – many nursing home residents are frail, and the unique environment means every injury could be considered serious. But the consequences of falls, fractures and other injuries can be exacerbated if there is improper care, a lack of monitoring and neglect. 
• Sepsis and Infections – sepsis (an adverse reaction to infection) is one of the most common reasons for nursing home residents to transfer to a hospital. It is linked to around 25,000 nursing home deaths per annum. 
• Verbal Abuse – it’s an uncomfortable truth, but many nursing home residents are subject to verbal abuse from their caregivers. This can be a problem for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, in particular. 
• Sexual Harassment – thankfully, it’s relatively rare, but some nursing home residents can experience sexual harassment and exploitation from staff, other residents and outsiders. Female patients and those with dementia are considered more at risk. 
• Financial Exploitation – as most nursing home residents are considered vulnerable, criminals, including nursing home staff, can manipulate them into parting with their money. Even looking beyond, the theft of cash or personal items, residents may be coerced into giving up sensitive data like social security numbers for identity fraud. 
• Emotional Abuse – like verbal abuse, emotional abuse can take many forms. Forced isolation, punishment and withholding of food and medication can all cause psychological damage to nursing home residents. 

As we mentioned earlier, there is a broad consensus that all types of nursing home abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, financial and negligence – are underreported. So, official abuse statistics for nursing homes in America are likely to only tell some of the story. Indeed, as stated by the National Center on Elder Abuse, “Unfortunately, we simply do not know for certain how many people are suffering from elder abuse and neglect.” Nevertheless, the latest statistics still point to a broken system, one that is failing America’s elderly and most vulnerable. 

• • A 2020 study by the WHO claimed that 64% of nursing home staff admitted to perpetrating abuse and neglect in some form. The same study claimed that one in three staff at nursing homes committed emotional abuse. 
  • Physical abuse has been reported by almost 25% of nursing home residents according to one study. 
  • In a wide-ranging report by the CDC, covering the years 2002-2016, it was found that physical assaults were up 75% against male nursing home residents and increased by 35% against women. Overall, women are twice as likely to face nursing home abuse. 
  • Sexual abuse is much lower (approximately 2%) than other types of abuse, and the vast majority of sexual abuse cases were committed against women. Patients with dementia are said to be particularly at risk from sexual assault. 
  • Another study (a national survey of American nursing home staff) showed that 36% of nursing home residents witnessed at least one physical abuse incident. 10% of staff admitted to at least one count of physical abuse, and 40% admitted to emotional abuse. 

If you think a nursing home resident is in immediate danger or a medical emergency due to abuse, you should call 911. 

For reporting abuse, there are four main avenues you can explore:

• Call a nursing home abuse hotline. There are several organizations, including charities and government agencies, that can provide telephone support. These include the National Center on Elder Abuse, National Elder Fraud Hotline and National Adult Protective Services Association. 
• Contact an LTC Ombudsman. Each state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who is charged with dealing with nursing home abuse complaints.  
• Contact the APS (Adult Protection Services). The APS has a presence in every state, and many of its staff operate at the local community level. 
• Speak to doctors and other medical staff about your concerns. 
• For legal advice, speak to a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer. To get started and receive free and impartial advice, fill out the form on the using the button on the top of the page.  

Are nursing homes liable for falls?

Falls among the elderly or infirmed happen frequently, and not all instances would warrant a nursing home fall lawsuit. However, many falls occur for reasons of negligence on the part of the staff or nursing home company, and that makes the nursing home liable. In addition, nursing homes must provide adequate aftercare once a fall has occurred, which can include 72-hours of monitoring. If the nursing home fails to carry out this duty, you might consider filing a nursing home neglect lawsuit. 

How do I file a claim against a nursing home?

There is a unique legal apparatus around nursing homes, so you should only contact a law firm that has experience in nursing home legal cases. 

How do you prove nursing negligence?

This can be difficult, particularly as some nursing home residents may find it hard to understand, describe and talk about the abuse with a loved one. If it is possible, document as much evidence as you can, including photos of injuries, a record of dates and testaments from the victim. 

How long does it take to settle a nursing home lawsuit?

All lawsuits can differ in terms of length. It can depend on the type of case, the severity of injuries and even the jurisdiction. Some nursing home lawsuits can be settled, with compensation agreed before the case goes to court. Around 92% of nursing home lawsuits are settled out of court. 

How much can you sue a nursing home for negligence?

Again, every case is different. However, some estimates put the average payout figure at $406,000 for successful nursing home abuse lawsuits. But this number could run into several million dollars for serious injury or wrongful death, and it could be much lower for less serious injuries. 

What is an example of negligence in nursing?

There are many different examples of nursing home negligence. But a simple example might be a resident suffering a fall, followed by the failure of the nursing home to treat and monitor any injuries. 

What is the longest statute of limitations?

The statute of limitations varies by state, but it can be up to six years in some cases. However, be aware that the statute of limitations might not always be clear, particularly when there is criminal negligence or abuse. If in doubt, dismiss what you have read online, and contact an expert nursing home negligence lawyer for professional advice.