Pittsburgh
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

On This Page

1. A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Pittsburgh Will Guide You Through Your Case
2. Types of Abuse and Neglect Residents in Nursing Homes May Suffer
3. Victims of Nursing Home Abuse Deserve Compensation
4. Injuries in Nursing Home Abuse
5. Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse FAQs
6. Get Started With Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Pittsburgh Now

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

At Berger & Green Attorneys, we understand the pain and uncertainty that follow nursing home abuse or neglect. If you’re watching a loved one suffer, know that you are not alone. Our dedicated team of Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers is here to help you hold those responsible accountable. 

We believe every individual deserves respect and compassionate care, and when that standard is not met, you deserve a strong legal advocate on your side.

We focus on clear communication, diligent casework, and a relentless pursuit of justice for you and your family. If you suspect abuse or neglect, don’t hesitate to act—your loved one’s well-being and your peace of mind matter. 

Call today for a free consultation to discuss how our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers can help with your case.

A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Pittsburgh Will Guide You Through Your Case

At Berger and Green, we recognize that navigating the aftermath of nursing home abuse or neglect can be both overwhelming and complex. Our attorneys are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process with clarity and care. 

From the moment you reach out to us, our goal is to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the support needed to pursue justice and fair compensation. Here are just some of the tasks we handle on your behalf:

• Comprehensive Case Evaluation: We begin with a free, in-depth consultation to understand your situation and assess your legal options, ensuring the best strategy is developed for your case.
• Evidence Collection and Investigation: Our team gathers all necessary evidence—medical records, witness statements, photographs, and documentation—to build a strong foundation for your claim.
• Legal Guidance and Strategy Development: We craft a personalized legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances, explaining every step and keeping you informed throughout the process.
• Negotiation and Settlement: We handle all communications with nursing home administrators and insurance companies, working to secure a fair settlement that covers medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Court Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to take your case to court, representing your interests aggressively and effectively.
• Ongoing Support and Advocacy: Throughout the entire process, we remain dedicated to protecting your rights and providing the support you need during this challenging time.

Without the assistance of an experienced lawyer, you risk facing significant hurdles in holding negligent parties accountable and securing the compensation you deserve.

The legal process involved in nursing home abuse cases can be complex, and without expert guidance, you may miss important steps, deadlines, or opportunities for a fair resolution. Let our lawyers protect your rights and help ensure that your case is managed with the care it deserves.

Types of Abuse and Neglect Residents in Nursing Homes May Suffer

If you or a loved one were abused or neglected at a nursing home or long-term care facility, know you are not alone. Nursing home abuse and neglect is something that many elderly or disabled individuals are faced with each day.

• According to 2024 data from KFF, over 67,000 Pennsylvanians in nursing homes, but there are less than 700 nursing facilities in the state. 
• The Long-Term Care Community Coalition reports that nearly 25 percent of these homes have a history of poor care.
• A 2023 report from the Independent Fiscal Office showed that Pennsylvania has seen a decreasing number of facilities, available beds, and employees, while the population needing care has increased.
• According to a 2021 study published in Cureus, a study showed that at least 50 percent of surveyed staff “admitted to mistreating older patients,” and that 90 percent of nursing homes did not have enough staff for patients.

Abuse and neglect can happen in a lot of different ways. It is important to understand these issues to ensure you or your loved one is being cared for in the proper way.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the deliberate use of force that results in bodily injury. This can include hitting, slapping, pushing, or using excessive restraint, leading to bruises, fractures, or other severe injuries.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Emotional and psychological abuse is characterized by actions intended to cause emotional pain or distress. This may involve verbal insults, humiliation, isolation, or intimidation, which can undermine a resident’s confidence and mental well-being.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse covers any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. This includes inappropriate touching, assault, or any actions that violate a resident’s sexual autonomy, often leaving long-lasting emotional scars.

Neglect

Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide adequate care. It encompasses situations where residents do not receive necessary assistance with hygiene, nutrition, medication, or medical attention, potentially leading to severe health complications.

This is a common type of nursing home abuse, as many homes are understaffed, overcrowded, or staffed with unqualified or unsupported workers.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation happens when a resident’s funds or assets are misused or stolen. This can involve unauthorized transactions, coercion to change legal documents, or outright fraud, creating significant financial and emotional hardships for the victim and their family.

These are only a few types of abuse and neglect signs to look out for. Ultimately you, the family member, know your loved one better than anyone else.

If you feel that something is not right, take action. There may be a number of people responsible for the abuse or neglect of your loved one and it is important to understand who should be held accountable. Call us today to get started with a consultation.

Victims of Nursing Home Abuse Deserve Compensation

Nursing home abuse can have devastating consequences, impacting not only the victim’s physical and emotional well-being but also their financial security.

A dedicated Pittsburgh nursing home abuse attorney with Berger and Green is here to guide you through the process of recovering compensation. These damages can cover the care, support, and peace of mind needed to address the harm you or your loved one has endured.

Some potential damages we seek include:

• Medical Treatment Costs: This includes expenses for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing treatments, rehabilitation, and any necessary modifications to home or long-term care needs resulting from the abuse.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Victims may recover compensation for wages lost due to missed work, reduced earning potential from lasting injuries, and any career setbacks caused by the physical or emotional toll of the abuse.
• Pain and Suffering: You or your loved one may be entitled to damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental anguish experienced as a direct result of the mistreatment.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation may cover the significant impact on your quality of life, including the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, and the overall diminished quality of day-to-day living.

For families who have lost a loved one due to nursing home abuse or neglect, damages can include reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the emotional impact of losing a family member, such as loss of companionship and guidance.

Our Pittsburgh nursing home negligence and wrongful death lawyers are here to guide you through these difficult times and get your family justice.

Injuries in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can inflict a range of injuries that affect both physical health and overall quality of life. These injuries often extend beyond immediate pain, leading to lasting challenges in mobility, cognition, and emotional well-being.

• Physical Injuries: Abuse can result in fractures and soft tissue injuries, which may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Such injuries often lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and a diminished ability to perform everyday tasks independently.
• Cognitive and Neurological Injuries: Repeated trauma or severe blows to the head can cause brain injuries, leading to memory loss, impaired cognitive function, or other neurological conditions. These changes not only affect the victim’s daily activities but can also have long-term impacts on independence and quality of life.
• Emotional and Psychological Injuries: The trauma of abuse can trigger depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The emotional scars may lead to isolation, strained relationships, and ongoing mental health struggles that further complicate recovery.
• Injuries from Neglect: Neglect in a nursing home setting may lead to untreated wounds, bedsores, infections, dehydration, and malnutrition. These conditions can worsen pre-existing health issues, sometimes leading to life-threatening complications and a significant decline in overall health.

Each of these injuries not only inflicts immediate harm but also creates lasting barriers to recovery and well-being. Our nursing home abuse attorneys in Pittsburgh are determined to hold negligent homes accountable for these serious injuries, so do not hesitate to call.

Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse FAQs

Determining how to look for signs of abuse and what to do once you find evidence of it can be challenging. You have questions that need answers, and our nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer?

At Berger and Green, we understand that legal fees are a major concern when you’re seeking justice. That’s why we take your case on a contingency basis—you owe us nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or judgment you receive, but our primary focus is on securing the maximum possible recovery for your case. 

We also offer a free initial consultation so you can discuss your situation with no financial commitment. Your success is our success, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What Does Elder Abuse Look Like?

Elder abuse can occur in a variety of ways. When it comes to mistreatment in nursing home facilities, any staff member, other residents, or anyone with access to the facility can potentially harm the residents there.

If you’re able to understand the warning signs early enough, you might be able to recognize if and when your loved one is in danger so that you can intervene. Here are a few signs of nursing home abuse and neglect to look out for:

• Obvious signs of an injury, including broken bones or bruises
• Dehydration 
• Malnutrition
• Sudden changes in alertness or physical problems
• Bedsores and bleeding
• Unexplained infections or diseases
• Reluctance to speak with staff members
• Unusual or sudden changes in behavior
• Unsanitary conditions
• Unexplained death
• Emotional distress and withdrawal
• Sudden financial problems
• Changes in your loved one’s legal documents, like power of attorney or will

Nursing homes must employ qualified, well-trained staff to deal with any situation that may occur on the premises. There might be situations where nursing home negligence occurs because of administrative understaffing, which can put all residents at risk of injury or even expose them to disreputable staff members with little to no oversight.

When Can You Sue a Nursing Home?

Once you believe or have evidence that nursing home abuse is taking place, you can file a claim. If you suspect your loved one is being victimized, a lawyer can help to investigate. But it’s important to do so as quickly as possible. You may never know how long it’s been going on.

Each state has a statute of limitations that gives claimants a deadline to file for personal injuries. If you wait too long, and the deadline expires, you might never be able to pursue compensation through a lawsuit. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 5524 in Pennsylvania, the time limit is two years.

Are Abuse and Neglect the Same?

In legal cases involving nursing home mistreatment, abuse and neglect are defined by different actions and omissions. Abuse involves intentional acts that cause harm, whether through physical violence, verbal assault, or sexual misconduct. To succeed in an abuse claim, the evidence must clearly show that a deliberate act resulted in injury or emotional trauma.

Neglect, by contrast, centers on the failure to provide essential care. This may include not administering medications, inadequate nutrition, poor hygiene, or unsafe living conditions.

In these cases, the focus is on demonstrating that the duty of care was not met, and this omission led to harm or a decline in the resident’s health. Neglect may not always be intentional, but it does not change the fact that it causes harm.

While both forms of mistreatment have serious consequences, the legal strategies and evidence requirements differ substantially between abuse and neglect.

Get Started With Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Pittsburgh Now

At Berger and Green, we are committed to standing by your side. Our Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers understand the emotional and financial challenges you face, and our dedicated team is here to help you navigate this difficult journey. 

Don’t let the pain and uncertainty continue—take the first step toward securing the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation and let us help you protect your rights and rebuild your future.