Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

• Physical abuse. Physical abuse in a nursing home involves any intentional act that causes physical harm, pain, or injury to a resident. This can include punching, pushing, slapping, or using physical force in any manner that results in discomfort or injury. Physical abuse can also involve improper use of restraints, forcibly feeding a resident, or denying them basic physical needs, such as food, water, or mobility aids. Signs of physical abuse may include unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures, as well as sudden changes in a resident's behavior or fearfulness around specific caregivers.
• Emotional abuse. This type of abuse may involve verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, intimidation, or consistent belittling of residents by caregivers or other individuals. Residents subjected to emotional abuse may exhibit signs such as unexplained mood swings, withdrawal from activities they previously enjoyed, sudden changes in appetite, or a sense of hopelessness.
• Financial exploitation. Financial abuse may involve unauthorized access to a resident's funds, coercing them into signing financial documents, or misusing power of attorney privileges for personal gain. Other examples include overcharging for services, double billing residents, or the outright theft of money and valuables. Staff members, third parties, or even other residents can be responsible for this type of exploitation.
• Neglect. Neglect may consist of failing to provide adequate food, water, or medical care, leading to malnutrition, dehydration, or untreated medical conditions. Residents might also experience neglect through poor hygiene practices, such as infrequent bathing or not changing soiled clothes and bedding. Emotional neglect, such as ignoring a resident's needs, isolating them from social interactions, or dismissing their concerns, also constitutes abuse. Additionally, a lack of proper supervision can leave residents vulnerable to accidents, injuries, or even wandering off unsupervised.

Pennsylvania Nursing Home Laws and Resident Rights

Residents in Pennsylvania nursing homes and assisted living facilities hold basic rights that are supposed to protect their well-being and dignity. Facilities must respect residents' rights to receive quality care and live in safe, clean environments. Staff members must honor residents' autonomy, including their ability to make choices about daily routines, medical decisions, and participation in activities. Residents retain the right to privacy and confidential handling of their personal and medical information. These rights also extend to maintaining connections with family and friends, as well as voicing grievances without fear of retribution.

In practice, these rights may be violated as part of abuse or neglect. When this occurs, you have the right to file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the state agency responsible for regulating nursing homes and investigating allegations of mistreatment. You can submit a formal complaint through the Department of Health’s online complaint form, by sending an e-mail to c-ncomplai@pa.gov, or by calling 1-800-254-5164. 

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit is generally two years from the date the abuse or neglect occurred. However, the discovery rule can significantly affect this timeline. Under the discovery rule, the statute of limitations may begin when the abuse or neglect is discovered – or reasonably should have been discovered – rather than the date it originally occurred. This is particularly important in cases where signs of abuse, such as unexplained injuries or deteriorating health, become apparent only after some time has passed.

Waiting too long to pursue legal action, however, can have serious consequences. Once the statute of limitations expires, you may lose the legal right to file a lawsuit, regardless of how compelling the evidence in your case might be. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to hold responsible parties accountable and potentially recover compensation for damages. Our Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers can discuss your options and help you start the legal process.