Erie, PA Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Top-Rated Law Firm Advocates For Victims Of Nursing Home Abuse in Erie, Pennsylvania

When you or a loved one moves into a nursing home or other age-related facility, you expect to be treated with dignity, respect, and proper care. Nursing homes have regulations that are designed to protect the rights of nursing home residents. And when those protections are violated and there is an instance of nursing home abuse, the victims and their families can file a personal injury claim to recover damages for the harm that was inflicted.

At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., our personal injury team fights on behalf of nursing home residents who have suffered emotional or physical abuse. Our experienced team is passionate about protecting the rights of those older Pennsylvania residents who are victimized in nursing home facilities, holding all at-fault parties accountable for their actions.

Recognizing Signs Of Nursing Home Elder Abuse

When you visit a loved one at a nursing home facility, and you suspect that something is off — perhaps the nursing home resident seems withdrawn, or the cleanliness of their environment seems subpar — it can be difficult to determine whether your loved one is receiving proper care.

The term “abuse” conjures up images of obvious physical mistreatment, such as bruises or broken limbs. But abuse can take shape in many different forms — including emotional mistreatment and taking advantage of someone’s assets — and it can be challenging to discern whether the behaviors you are witnessing are the result of nursing home negligence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines elder abuse as an “intentional act, or failure to act, by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.” Oftentimes, elder abuse occurs in a nursing home or other treatment center.

The CDC lists several types of maltreatment that may occur among individuals age 60 and older, which include — but are not limited to — the following:

• neglect (malnourishment, failure to provide basic necessities)
• physical abuse (pushing, hitting, slapping, improper use of restraints)
• emotional abuse
• sexual abuse
• financial abuse (discrepancies in billing or assets, missing personal property)
• Abandonment (lack of proper medical treatment, unsanitary conditions)

Nursing home abuse can take several forms. If you are concerned that a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, contact a personal injury attorney who is experienced in handling these types of claims.

Determining Liability For Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

Nursing homes can be held liable for abuse and neglect when a resident or patient of the facility has been harmed. Common negligent behaviors demonstrated by nursing homes include — but are not limited to — the following:

• negligent hiring practices
• understaffing of facility
• insufficient training of nursing home staff
• breach of statutory or regulatory obligations
• errors in dispensing medication
• negligent actions on the part of nursing home employees

Liability for negligent behavior is not limited to nursing home staff. Nursing homes frequently employ outside contractors to perform various duties and they can also be held liable for negligent actions at the nursing home.

Leading PA Personal Injury Firm Advocates For Victims Of Nursing Home Abuse

When you suspect a loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse, it is a particularly painful and emotional realization. Your anger and frustration at the situation is often met with denials or stall tactics on the part of the nursing home.

At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., we don’t let those obstacles stand in the way of protecting the rights of victims of nursing home abuse and holding the negligent parties accountable for their actions. Our personal injury team has extensive experience handling claims of nursing home abuse and is fully dedicated to fighting on behalf of victims until justice is served.

If you suspect an incident of nursing home abuse, let us help. Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. offers a free case evaluation for victims and family members. Our team is available to answer your questions and discuss the process of pursuing a claim of nursing home abuse.

About Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania is the county seat of Erie County and is not only the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania — Erie is also the largest city in northwestern Pennsylvania. Erie is located on the south shore of Lake Erie. Erie is known as “Gem City” and is also referred to as the “Flagship City”. The local economy in Erie includes various industries including technology, manufacturing, health care, service industries, higher education, and tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse In Pennsylvania

Do you need to have a signed contract with a nursing home to be able to file a claim of nursing home abuse?

Nursing home residents do not need to have a signed contract with the nursing home in order to file a claim of abuse. Any form of negligence that results in harm is grounds for a personal injury claim. This negligence may be exhibited by negligent supervision, poor care, negligent facility maintenance, negligent hiring practices, and more.

How much time do I have to file a claim against a nursing home in Pennsylvania for elder abuse?

A claim of nursing home abuse is a type of personal injury claim. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims — the legal timeframe for filing a claim in a state’s civil court — is two years from the time the abuse occurred. If you suspect an incidence of nursing home abuse, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Claims that are filed after the statute of limitations has expired will be dismissed by the courts. Once this happens, the victim loses their opportunity to recover compensation for their losses. There are rare exceptions to this legal deadline; if you are considering filing a claim of nursing home abuse and are unsure of whether you can meet the state’s two-year filing deadline, speak to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.