Clifton NJ Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes are where the disabled and elderly receive proper care when their families cannot provide it for them. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes are safe, and many residents suffer abuse and neglect from the people that are supposed to be caring for them.

Did you or a loved one suffer abuse in a nursing facility? At Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, our affiliate personal injury attorneys can help your family hold responsible parties accountable and recover financial compensation for your damages.

Contact our Clifton, NJ nursing home abuse lawyers at (800) 926-7565 for a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your lawyer will remain private under an attorney-client relationship.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing facility abuse is a single or repeated act that causes physical, psychological, or financial harm to a resident. It can result from negligence, carelessness, or malicious intent of workers, visitors, or other residents.

Types and Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing facility abuse can take many forms, including:

Physical Abuse

It involves deliberately using force against a nursing home resident, causing injury, pain, or impairment. It includes but is not limited to actions such as slapping, striking, kicking, burning, and pinching. Signs include:

  • Broken bones
  • Unexplained injuries (e.g., cuts, burns, bruises)
  • Restraint or grip marks
  • Fearfulness
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Psychological Abuse

It involves verbal and non-verbal acts that cause psychological harm to a resident. These acts may include verbal abuse, humiliation, gaslighting, and geographical or social isolation. Signs include:

  • Unusual changes in behavior or personality
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Fearfulness
  • Being extremely withdrawn
  • Loss of enjoyment in usual activities
Sexual Abuse

It is any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, including those who cannot give valid consent (e.g., a mentally disabled person). It may include verbal sexual harassment, unwanted touching, explicit photography, sodomy, coerced nudity, and rape.

Signs include:

  • Reluctance or refusal to be touched
  • Unexplained bruises around the breasts or genitals
  • Genital infections
  • Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
  • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of a resident’s personal property, including money and assets. Signs include:

  • Sudden bank account changes
  • Unexplained transactions on debit or credit cards
  • Missing belongings
  • Sudden changes in financial habits
Neglect

Neglect occurs when nursing homes fail to provide food, medication, personal hygiene, clothing, and medical care, creating or increasing the risk of harm to a resident. Signs include:

  • Poor hygiene
  • Bed sores
  • Malnutrition or dehydration
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Untreated medical conditions
  • Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
  • Inadequate clothing for the weather
  • Lack of medical aids
  • Medication errors
Effects of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

A victim of abuse or neglect may suffer the following consequences:

  • Severe injuries
  • Untreated medical conditions
  • Psychological trauma
  • Emotional distress
  • Disability
  • Monetary losses
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Reduced family or social ties
  • Wrongful death
Causes of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes

Residents in nursing homes with the following issues are more likely to suffer abuse and neglect:

  • Underqualified and Improperly Trained Staff: Staff with inadequate qualifications and training may be more likely to commit negligence, medical malpractice, and abuse, creating a potentially dangerous environment for residents.
  • Understaffing: Nursing homes that experience chronic staffing shortages may not be able to provide proper supervision and medical care to all residents.
  • Poor Management: Staff members are more likely to provide substandard care if management is disorganized, irresponsible, and reactive instead of proactive.
  • Underreporting : Although it is required by law, only a small percentage of cases are reported to the authorities. Consequently, many issues remain unresolved, and negligent nursing homes continue to operate despite violations.
How to Report Maltreatment in a Nursing Facility

Report known or suspected neglect or abuse to the Clifton Police Department. Call 911 if you think your loved one or another resident is in immediate danger.

You can also file a formal complaint to the following agencies in New Jersey:

  • Adult Protective Services
  • Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Division of Aging and Community Services
  • Long Term Care Ombudsman

Negligent nursing homes may lose their licenses, certifications, and government funding if found guilty of non-compliance with state or federal regulations. In addition, perpetrators may face criminal charges from the police.

After alerting the authorities and removing your loved one from the facility, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Filing a Clifton Nursing Home Abuse Claim

A nursing home facility that fails to protect its residents from harm may be liable for damages caused by staff members, visitors, or fellow residents.

Take immediate action if you or a loved one suffered maltreatment in a Clifton nursing facility. With the help of our lawyers, you can pursue financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim.

The Role of Clifton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Filing a successful claim requires the skills and expertise of an experienced lawyer. Our lawyers can help you:

  • Establish the liability of at-fault parties
  • File your claim within the statute of limitations
  • Collect evidence to support your claim
  • Negotiate settlement values
  • Consult with medical experts
  • Report your case to the proper authorities
  • File your lawsuit in civil court, if necessary

Your nursing home abuse lawyer will discuss these responsibilities further during your initial consultation.

Liable Parties

Our lawyers can help you identify who is responsible for abusing or neglecting your loved one. Perpetrators may include:

  • Staff members
  • Visitors
  • Other facility residents
  • Nursing facility administrators
Evidence

During the discovery phase of your case, your lawyer will help you gather relevant proof, such as:

  • Photos of injuries sustained
  • Medical records
  • Incident and police reports
  • Witness accounts from staff members, visitors, or other patients
  • Expert testimony
  • An autopsy report, in case of wrongful death
Damages

With the help of your Clifton nursing home abuse lawyer, you could recover fair compensation for the following damages:

  • Medical bills
  • Disability
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death
  • Punitive damages

Your Clifton nursing home abuse lawyer will estimate the potential value of your settlement based on your damages during your initial consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Clifton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes are supposed to be places where the disabled and elderly can receive proper care and attention. Unfortunately, the situation in some nursing homes is not always ideal.

Were you or a loved one a victim of nursing facility abuse? If so, the best lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC can help you take legal action for the injustices your family has suffered. Our attorneys work tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for all of our clients and, in the process, punish negligent nursing homes to the fullest extent of the law.

Contact our nursing home abuse lawyers at (800) 926-7565, or use the contact form for a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your lawyers will remain private under an attorney-client relationship.

Our law firm handles all accepted cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to pay for our legal services unless we win your case.

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Client Reviews

★★★★★
Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa
★★★★★
After I read Jonathan’s Nursing Home Blog, I decided to hire him to look into my wife’s treatment at a local nursing home. Jonathan did a great job explaining the process and the laws that apply to nursing homes. I immediately felt at ease and was glad to have him on my side. Though the lawsuit process was at times frustrating, Jonathan reassured me, particularly at my deposition. I really felt like Jonathan cared about my wife’s best interests, and I think that came across to the lawyers for the nursing home. Eric
★★★★★
I strongly recommend Deborah, and her team, for anyone who is looking for caring and tough attorneys to represent them. My mom was horribly neglected in a nursing home and Deborah uncovered the truth and fought hard for justice. She was always there to answer our questions and guide us along the way. Rebecca M.
★★★★★
Deborah helped our family get justice for the neglect of our mother who was in a nursing home. She was very dedicated to our case and fought hard to expose the nursing home for the poor care she received. We highly recommend Deborah and her team. Renee H.
★★★★★
Deborah and her firm handled a case for my family. During that time, our mother passed away at a nursing home from bedsores. Everyone at the firm was so caring and involved. We are so thankful to Deborah for fighting so hard for us to obtain justice. Delores L.