Causes of Nursing Home Abuse

Fact-Checked and Reviewed by Ricky A. LeBlanc

Nursing home abuse causes can vary from case to case. Elderly patients, those with dementia or disruptive behaviors, highly dependent patients, or those with significant need for assistance, and those who are more socially isolated may be at higher risk for abuse.

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Managing Attorney Ricky A LeBlanc Legally Edited and Fact-Checked by:Ricky A. LeBlanc, Managing Attorney, Sokolove Law

Nursing Home Abuse Causes

Caregiver burnout and understaffing are major causes of nursing home abuse and negligence.

Greater risk is present in nursing homes with:

  • No abuse prevention policy in place
  • Inadequate staffing levels
  • Inadequate staff training
  • Insufficient employee background checks
  • High staff turnover rate
  • A history of complaints

Call (800) 995-1212 now if you or a your loved one suffered abuse in a nursing home. You may be eligible to take action and pursue justice.

Elder Abuse Is Illegal

No matter what the causes are for the abuse, elder abuse is illegal. In 1987, the U.S. Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA), which includes the Nursing Home Residents' Bill of Rights. It is the foundation of elder law, the legal practice area dedicated to protecting seniors.

This law was intended to protect the quality of life for residents of nursing homes and improve the quality of care provided by their caregivers.

The following are some of the rights and freedoms specified in the Residents’ Bill of Rights, one of the primary features of the NHRA:

  • The right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect
  • The right to be treated with dignity
  • The right to freedom from physical restraints
  • The right to privacy
  • The right to access personal medical records
  • The right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs
  • The right to refuse treatment
  • The right to communicate freely with persons inside and outside the facility
  • The right to participate in the review of one’s care plan
  • The right to be fully informed in advance about any changes in care, treatment, or facility’s status
  • The right to voice grievances and exercise rights without interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal

How We Can Help

A nursing home abuse attorney can help you recognize the warning signs of abuse and neglect, and get the justice and compensation that your loved one deserves.

As a national nursing home abuse law firm, Sokolove Law has more than 45 years of experience helping people whose loved ones have suffered from nursing home abuse.

Contact us today to learn more. It costs nothing to speak with us, and we only get paid if your case successfully results in compensation.

Author:Managing Attorney Ricky A LeBlanc
Ricky A. LeBlanc

Managing Attorney, Sokolove Law

  • Legal Editor
  • Fact-Checked

Ricky A. LeBlanc is the Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law. As Managing Attorney, Ricky is responsible for all communications with prospective clients and, along with his team of paralegals and case managers, review all potential cases.

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