Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
The decision to move yourself or a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility in Philadelphia is rarely easy, but it is a passage that many of us will go through. Entrusting strangers with the responsibility to care for and ensure the well-being of a vulnerable senior can be a leap of faith no matter how much research and due diligence families put into their choice of facility. But way too often, that faith is misplaced and that trust is broken.
The abuse or neglect of nursing home residents is appalling and intolerable. It is also something experienced by hundreds of thousands of seniors every year, leaving them with severe physical injuries, deep psychological trauma and leaving families struggling with anger, guilt, and a need to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
At Wilk Law, we approach these matters with relentless determination, skilled advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to our most vulnerable citizens. We aggressively pursue compensation and seek justice on behalf of Philadelphia seniors and their families who have suffered at the hands of nursing home and assisted living facility staff and ownership. Call us at (855) 946-3678 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
A National Epidemic
The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that over 1.3 Americans lived in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in 2016. Pennsylvania alone has approximately 700 nursing homes with more than 88,000 beds, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Association.
With more and more Baby Boomers continuing to fill these beds, and as Americans live longer than ever before, the number of seniors in need of comprehensive nursing home care will only continue to grow. That means that the problem of nursing home abuse and neglect may go from bad to worse.
And things are bad now. A 2017 congressional report outlined the troubling depth and scope of nursing home abuse and neglect negligence in the United States. Investigators found that:
- 30% of American nursing homes had reports and complaints of elder abuse
- Over a two-year period, there were almost 9,000 incidents of abuse at over 5,200 facilities
- Of those incidents of abuse, 1,601 of the incidents were so severe that they put the residents at immediate risk of serious injury or death.
Earlier studies found that 44% of nursing home residents surveyed said they had been abused and 95% said they had been neglected or seen another resident neglected. In fact, one study found that over 50% of nursing home staff admitted to mistreating residents in their care over the prior year.
Forms of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Philadelphia
There are a number of ways nursing homes and their staff can hurt residents through negligence or mistreatment, including:
- Medication errors
- Improper prescribing of antipsychotic medications
- Bedsores
- Physical abuse
- Malnutrition
- Sexual abuse
- Falls and drops
- Dehydration
- Inadequate care for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Illegal patient “dumping” or involuntarily discharge
In addition to physical harm, nursing home residents in Philadelphia, PA can suffer severe psychological and emotional damage at the hands of staff, a problem that can be more difficult for loved ones to detect. Threats, isolation, humiliation, verbal abuse, and denials of privacy, facilities, or communication with others can cause unspeakable harm and lead to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other problems which can make any physical ailments even worse.
Wilk Law: Standing Up for Seniors and Their Families in Philadelphia
Nursing home residents and their families who suspect neglect or abuse can turn to Wilk Law for answers, assistance, and advocacy. We are passionate about protecting seniors and stopping those who would cause them harm. To speak with a Philadelphia nursing home abuse attorney today, call (855) 946-3678 or contact us online to arrange for a free initial consultation.
In addition to Philadelphia our legal team also serves West Chester, Coatesville, Downingtown, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Berwyn, Devon, Exton, Frazer, and more.