Welcome To Green & Schafle's Nursing Home Misconduct Site
Elder Abuse Is a Major Public Health Problem
According to the CDC, more than half a million Americans over the age of 60 are abused or neglected every year. Even more disturbingly, this number appears to represent only a small number of actual instances of elder abuse, since the majority of incidents go unreported. The main categories which define elder abuse are:
Who Is Liable for Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Injuries?
When a loved one is abused while in residence at a nursing home or care facility, the home or facility itself can certainly be held liable for any harm or injuries that come to its residents or patients. The most common grounds for action against an individual and facility include:
Medication errors and omissions
Understaffing
Under-qualified or poorly-trained employees
Breach of regulations or statutes
Lack of supervision
Lack of access to adequate food and water
Intimidation
Inadequate attention to grooming
Verbal or physical abuse
Unhygienic toilet facilities
What Can We Do When an Elderly Loved One Has Been Abused?
Placing our elderly loved ones in a nursing home or in the hands of a care worker involves an incredibly high level of trust. Unfortunately, a small number of care facilities and care workers will breach that trust.
Elder care abuse and neglect involves the preventable injury of an elderly person in the care of a healthcare professional, most often at a healthcare facility, but also in an elderly person’s private home. Typically, elderly family members suffer injuries as a result of neglect or carelessness by healthcare workers who fail to do their job. Less frequently, a care facility employee will intentionally abuse an older person, for any number of reasons, but most commonly out of frustration with their own employment situation. Such cases often also involve a shocking lack of supervision by managers, nurses, and physicians. Whether or not lack of supervision is directly involved, however, care facilities have a legal obligation to protect residents under their care, who also often happen to be paying for their services.
Whether a nursing home resident is harmed with intent or suffers neglect resulting from an unsanitary or disorganized care facility, civil legal action is the best way to recover damages. Not only can victims of elder abuse recover reparations for what they have suffered, but taking action against the culprits can also help prevent such misconduct from continuing.
Pennsylvania & New Jersey Nursing Home Attorneys
The elder abuse lawyers at Green & Schafle are here to help in every way we can. We understand the delicate issues involved in bringing actions against the care workers and care facility in which your loved ones may still reside, and we will use our expertise in this niche area of law to advocate vigorously for your case and seek maximum recovery for your damages.
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect, please contact our legal team immediately for a free consultation toll-free at 215-462-3330 or via email by clicking here.
Licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, GREEN & SCHAFLE attorneys excel at trial litigation and enjoy a history of impressive settlements on behalf of elderly and disabled clients who have suffered nursing home abuse or neglect.
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