Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Settlements

When signs of mistreatment surface in a Pennsylvania nursing home, many families begin researching Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawsuit settlements to better understand what legal steps they can take. 

At Nursing Home Law Center, we work exclusively with families across the state whose loved ones have suffered nursing home abuse or neglect. We recognize how emotionally difficult and frustrating these situations can be, and we’re here to support you throughout the legal process.

Families deserve transparency, accountability, and protection for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our legal team is committed to helping you seek compensation, protect your loved one’s dignity, and hold negligent facilities accountable.

Settlement and Verdicts Recovered by Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

At Nursing Home Law Center, our Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers have years of experience securing meaningful settlements for victims and family members affected by abuse, neglect, and wrongful death across the state.

• $2,150,000 Settlement – After months at a Pennsylvania nursing home, Margaret, 81, developed severe bedsores that progressed into widespread sepsis, leading to her death. The elderly woman’s family discovered that the facility had been previously cited for inadequate supervision and poor hygiene. The lawsuit revealed missed wound care treatments and falsified medical records, which significantly impacted the settlement value.
• $1,700,000 Settlement – John, a 76-year-old resident at a nursing facility in central Pennsylvania, fell multiple times despite requiring assistance with mobility. One fall caused a subdural hematoma and hip fracture, requiring emergency medical treatment and long-term physical therapy. Our attorneys observed a pattern of inadequate staffing and failure to implement fall-prevention measures. The case resolved after reviewing incident reports and testimony from former staff confirming ongoing nursing home negligence.
• $1,500,000 Settlement – Linda’s family filed a nursing home lawsuit after the 84-year-old dementia patient accessed an unlocked janitorial closet in a northeast Philadelphia facility and ingested a toxic cleaning chemical. She suffered internal injuries and passed away days later. The Pennsylvania Department of Health found multiple violations, including a lack of supervision and failure to secure hazardous materials. Our nursing home abuse lawyers secured a significant financial compensation package for her estate representative.

What Types of Financial Compensation Can Be Recovered Through a Nursing Home Abuse Settlement?

A nursing home abuse lawsuit settlement offers families a way to recover the financial losses tied to the abuse or neglect of a loved one. Whether your case involves severe injuries, wrongful death, or repeated nursing home neglect, several types of compensation may be available, depending on the circumstances and extent of harm.

Medical Expenses

One of the most common forms of compensation in nursing home abuse cases covers past and future medical bills. This includes emergency care, hospitalization, medications, physical therapy, surgeries, and ongoing medical treatment caused by nursing home neglect or physical abuse. 

In some cases, costs tied to treating bedsores, head trauma, or infections like sepsis can be extensive. A Pennsylvania nursing home lawsuit can help your family recover these out-of-pocket losses.

Emotional Distress

Elderly victims of nursing home abuse often suffer from anxiety, depression, or trauma, especially in cases involving emotional abuse, sexual assault, or financial abuse. These harms may not be visible but have lasting impacts on the resident and their loved ones. 

Nursing home abuse settlements often account for this emotional toll, allowing families to pursue fair compensation for the suffering their loved one endured.

Relocation Costs

After suffering abuse, many families choose to move their loved one to a safer nursing home or assisted living facility. These transitions can be expensive, involving new deposits, transportation, and urgent care needs. 

Compensation from a Pennsylvania nursing home settlement can help cover these relocation costs, giving families the resources needed to secure better care and peace of mind for their loved one.

What Is the Average Pennsylvania Nursing Home Settlement?

According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, the average Pennsylvania nursing home settlement is approximately $1.9 million, with cases ranging from as low as $6,400 to as high as $19 million. The median settlement is around $400,000, which more closely reflects what many families receive in typical nursing home abuse cases.

Several factors can influence the final settlement amount:

• Severity of injuries: Claims involving serious harm tend to result in higher compensation.
• Facility’s track record: A nursing home’s history of violations can increase liability and pressure the facility to settle.
• Supporting evidence: Strong medical records and eyewitness testimony can strengthen your case.
• Type of resolution: While many cases end in settlements, others result in verdicts or arbitration awards, which can be less predictable.

Though not every case reaches the million-dollar range, a carefully documented claim backed by an experienced Pennsylvania nursing home lawyer can help families seek out a settlement that reflects the actual impact of the abuse or neglect.

Example Nursing Home Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts

$19 Million Verdict – Long-Term Neglect, Pressure Sores, and Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Patricia O’Donnell, 70, died after enduring 15 months of neglect at Brinton Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. Her daughters alleged repeated nursing home negligence, including several falls, malnutrition, and a Stage IV pressure ulcer that became infected and led to sepsis. 

Staffing shortages, falsified records, and management turnover were central to the case. The jury awarded $19 million, including punitive damages, pain and suffering, and compensation under the Wrongful Death and Survival Acts.

$14 Million Verdict – Fatal Fall at Home Health Visit Leads to Wrongful Death Award in Philadelphia

A Philadelphia jury awarded $14 million to the estate of Diana Dawson, 74, who died after suffering a hip fracture during a fall while under the care of Bayada Home Health Care. Dawson, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was left unattended while moving in bed and fell, as captured in a video played at trial. 

Her estate argued that Bayada’s caregiver failed to intervene or provide appropriate care, leading to 29 days of pain, sepsis, and eventual death. The jury found Bayada negligent, awarding $4 million for survival damages and $10 million for wrongful death.

$3.5 Million Verdict – Repeated Falls and Fatal Choking at Philadelphia Nursing Home

Harry Wilson, 88, died after choking at the Mayo Center in Philadelphia, following a year of deteriorating care. His family alleged that the facility failed to monitor him after a hip fracture and left him immobile, leading to infected pressure ulcers and repeated falls. 

Witnesses described poor hygiene, a lack of supervision, and staff sleeping during shifts. The jury found the defendants liable and awarded $3.5 million for pain and suffering and nursing home abuse.

$900,000 Settlement – Fatal Elopement After Restraints Removed at Pittsburgh Hospital

Rose Lee Diggs, 88, died from hyperthermia after wandering onto the roof of UPMC Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she remained unnoticed for over 14 hours in freezing temperatures. Her son alleged that the hospital failed to follow its own care plan, ignored a known elopement risk, and neglected to fix broken security locks. The case settled for $900,000 before going to trial.

$300,000 Verdict – Untreated Bedsores Lead to Sepsis at Pittsburgh Nursing Facility

Dolly Brown, 71, developed multiple pressure ulcers while under care at The Commons at Squirrel Hill, a nursing home in Pittsburgh. Her estate claimed the facility failed to assess her risk for skin breakdown or follow basic nursing home care standards, such as repositioning. Brown was later hospitalized with sepsis, and her wounds required surgical intervention. 

Experts cited poor documentation, lack of updated care plans, and nursing home neglect. Though the defense argued the ulcers developed at another facility, a jury found The Commons negligent and awarded $300,000 for pain and suffering and medical expenses.

What Types of Elder Abuse or Neglect Can Be Grounds for a Nursing Home Lawsuit?

Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawsuits often stem from repeated or severe mistreatment that leads to serious injuries, emotional trauma, or even death. Families may be entitled to compensation if a loved one has suffered abuse in any of the following forms.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse includes hitting, pushing, force-feeding, or rough handling of nursing home residents. Common signs include broken bones, bruises, or unexplained injuries. 

Families may have grounds for a nursing home lawsuit if their loved one experiences physical harm at the hands of staff or other residents. In many nursing home abuse cases, these injuries are preventable with proper supervision and training.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical harm. It involves yelling, insults, intimidation, humiliation, or isolation. This form of abuse often causes emotional distress, depression, and anxiety in elderly residents. If your loved one has become withdrawn, fearful, or uncommunicative, it could be a sign of abuse. Our lawyers can help families identify the signs and take legal action.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone exploits or steals from a resident, often by manipulating them into giving away money, assets, or control of accounts. In some nursing home abuse cases, staff misuse funds or pressure residents into financial decisions. Families may uncover missing funds, forged checks, or changes to wills.

Sexual Abuse

Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior–whether by staff, other residents, or visitors–qualifies as sexual abuse. This form of elder abuse is often hidden due to shame, fear, or cognitive decline. Victims may show signs of withdrawal, anxiety, or unexplained physical injuries. Nursing home abuse lawsuits involving sexual assault require immediate investigation.

Nursing Home Neglect 

Neglect is one of the most common causes of nursing home abuse settlements. It includes failure to provide food, water, hygiene, medical treatment, or proper supervision. This can lead to severe bedsores, multiple falls, or untreated infections. 

Facilities cited for inadequate supervision or understaffing are often repeat offenders. Families can report abuse and pursue claims for nursing home negligence.

Wrongful Death

When nursing home neglect leads to a resident’s death, families can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases may involve sepsis, head trauma, malnutrition, or other fatal complications. 

Surviving family members can seek damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the emotional and financial impact of their loss. A Pennsylvania nursing home wrongful death settlement can provide closure and help protect others from future harm.

What Laws Protect Pennsylvania Nursing Home Residents?

Families pursuing Pennsylvania nursing home lawsuit settlements should understand the legal protections in place for elderly residents. These protections include both federal and state laws, as well as oversight by government agencies responsible for investigating abuse and ensuring facilities meet standards of care.

The Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) outlines what qualifies as abuse and neglect of nursing home residents.

Nursing home abuse is defined as:

• Inflicting injury, intimidation, confinement, or punishment that causes physical harm, pain, or mental anguish
• Willfully depriving a resident of necessary goods or services required to maintain their physical or mental health
• Acts of sexual abuse, including harassment or assault, as defined in the Protection from Abuse Act

Nursing home neglect is defined as the failure to provide care or services needed to avoid serious threats to a resident’s physical or mental health.

The Act also requires mandatory reporting by staff and caregivers and imposes screening requirements for employees working with vulnerable populations in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Several regulatory agencies accept complaints, perform inspections, and enforce standards of care in Pennsylvania nursing home facilities:

• Pennsylvania Department of Health – Conducts routine inspections and investigates complaints related to nursing home negligence. They issue citations and make reports publicly available.
• Pennsylvania Department of Aging – Operates the state’s Protective Services for Older Adults program. They respond to reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving those aged 60 and older.
• Local Police – In cases involving immediate danger, families should contact local law enforcement immediately. Criminal investigations may run alongside civil nursing home lawsuits.

For most nursing home abuse lawsuits in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years from the date the injury or death occurred (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). Missing this deadline can forfeit your right to pursue a nursing home abuse settlement, making early investigation by a Pennsylvania nursing home lawyer essential.

How to File a Nursing Home Lawsuit in Pennsylvania

Filing a nursing home lawsuit in Pennsylvania starts with a free legal consultation. During this initial meeting, our skilled nursing home neglect lawyers will review the facts of the case, including any signs of nursing home abuse, such as bedsores, multiple falls, emotional distress, or death. 

If the case meets legal standards, our attorneys will begin gathering evidence, including treatment records, care plans, incident reports, and inspection findings from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Next, our legal team may consult medical experts and interview witnesses who can speak to the nursing home’s history of neglect or mistreatment. If sufficient evidence is found, the attorney will file a formal complaint naming the facility and any responsible parties, such as current or former operators. 

This document outlines the allegations and the financial compensation being sought, which could include medical bills, relocation costs, or funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.

Most nursing home lawsuits are resolved through settlements. Our attorneys will handle all communication with the insurance company, present evidence, and negotiate a nursing home abuse settlement that reflects the harm caused. 

In some cases, the claim may proceed to trial, where a jury decides the outcome. Throughout the process, our legal team can also help with relocating your loved one to a safer facility and securing necessary treatment.

FAQs

How do I check if a nursing facility has been cited for abuse in Pennsylvania?

To find out if a Pennsylvania nursing home has been cited for abuse, neglect, or safety violations, visit https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/. This database includes inspection reports, staffing levels, and any past citations. 

Families can use this tool to identify the worst nursing homes in Pennsylvania based on quality scores and violation history. Look for red flags such as repeated deficiencies, staffing shortages, or resident harm incidents.

Do I need to report the abuse to local law enforcement?

Yes, if a resident is in immediate danger or has suffered serious harm, such as physical or sexual abuse, contact local law enforcement right away. For all other cases of suspected nursing home abuse or neglect, reports should be made to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at 1-800-490-8505, especially for residents over 60. 

You can also report concerns to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which handles facility inspections and nursing home abuse cases. Filing a report helps protect the resident and may be an essential part of building a nursing home lawsuit.

Book a Free Case Review and Seek Justice for Your Elderly Loved One

If you’re concerned that a loved one may have experienced nursing home abuse or neglect in a Pennsylvania nursing home, we’re here to help you understand what options are available. At Nursing Home Law Center, we’ve provided legal representation to families nationwide to secure compensation that reflects the harm your loved one has endured. 

Your free consultation includes a complete evaluation, answers to your most pressing questions, and guidance on legal action. There’s no cost unless we win. Speak with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney today.