Nursing Home Abuse

If a Loved One Has Suffered Harm, You Need the Help of a Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At McKinney Law, we provide legal support and advocacy to Pennsylvania’s nursing home abuse victims. Attorney Randall H. McKinney understands your anguish, distress, and urgent need to seek justice. We work hard to pursue the compensation you rightfully deserve. Schedule a free consultation with a Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyer to answer your questions and assess your case.

Pennsylvania’s Nursing Home Negligence Laws

In Pennsylvania, nursing home negligence can refer to any incident that harms the safety and rights of its residents. In addition to intentional misconduct cases, the courts recognize claims related to carelessness or neglect. These cases must also meet the typical requirements of negligence to become eligible for a personal injury claim.

These include the following:

• Duty of care: The defendant owed you or your your loved one a duty of care.
• Breach of duty: The defendant acted negligently and breached their duty of care.
• Causation: Your loved one’s injuries and losses are a direct result of the defendant’s breach of duty.
• Damages were sustained: You (or your lawyer) have the burden of providing documentation that shows losses due to the injuries.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Attorney Randall H. McKinney is a nursing home abuse attorney well-versed in handling a range of cases related to negligence and/or misconduct. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Physical abuse is any unlawful physical contact that has caused injury or pain and includes pushing, slapping, or hitting.
• Sexual abuse is any form of unwanted sexual activity or contact, regardless of age or gender. This includes exposing residents to inappropriate content or images.
• Emotional or psychological abuse involves verbal or nonverbal behavior resulting in distress, mental anguish, fear, and humiliation.
• Financial abuseoccurs when someone takes a resident’s funds, assets, or property for personal benefit.

It is important to note that negligence and misconduct can take many forms, some of which may not be immediately obvious.

Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse

Pennsylvania nursing homes ranked 34th in the country and often have poor reputations. Of the thousands of patients in these homes, almost 8% have patients with pressure ulcers, and 3.38% have had serious falls.

Here are symptoms to look out for:

• Bruises, scrapes, or cuts that don’t match your loved one’s medical history
• Unexplained changes in behavior, such as depression, anxiety, or aggression
• Inexplicable fear of specific people or activities
• Lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

What To Do If You Suspect Negligence at a Pittsburgh Nursing Home

If you believe a Pittsburgh facility has acted negligently, you must act quickly to protect your family members and hold the correct party accountable. Your actions can also save others.

Here are some general guidelines to follow if you suspect nursing home abuse:

Call Emergency Services

Call 911 or another emergency services agency if you believe your family member is in immediate danger. You could also call an ambulance if they are experiencing a medical incident and need immediate and specialized care.

Gather Evidence

Gather as much evidence as possible to prove negligence. This may include medical records, photographs, and witness statements. An experienced attorney can help you identify the documents necessary for your claim and how to obtain them.

Hire an Attorney 

You can leverage our knowledge and experience to identify your rights, judge the feasibility of the case, and estimate potential compensation. We can help you pursue justice, including filing a claim, reporting the facility, settlement negotiations, or taking the responsible party to court.

How Our Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help You

After you suspect nursing home abuse, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it’s best to start as soon as possible. Evidence can disappear, and witnesses can move away or be difficult to find. It takes time to build a solid case for negligence. When you work with our team at McKinney Law, we handle the legal process so that you can focus on caring for your loved one. Contact us for a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront fees and you do not pay anything unless and until we win money for you.