Most common
Neglect
When basic care, hygiene, and supervision break down.
Read guide
Helping families find an attorney
When a loved one is harmed in a nursing home, the next step is the right attorney.
We are an independent editorial resource on nursing home abuse and neglect. We explain the law in plain language and connect families with qualified attorneys through a vetted, transparent process.
Researched against primary law
Reviewed editorial standard
Vetted referralsmatched to the facts of your case
1 in 3
long-term care residents may experience some form of abuse or neglect
Every claim cites primary law
Written under a published standard
Reviewed by a legal research editor
Vetted, transparent referrals
01What we do
A clear, honest guide for one of the hardest decisions a family can face.
When you suspect a loved one has been hurt, the internet fills with ads. We built the opposite: plain-language guidance, researched against primary law, with a transparent path to a qualified attorney.
- Understand the claim
Each guide explains what the claim involves and the law behind it.
- See the warning signs
Know what to watch for, document, and act on right away.
- Reach the right attorney
We match families to vetted lawyers who fit the specific case.
02Why it matters
Abuse in long-term care is common, and badly underreported.
The numbers families rarely hear, drawn from federal and academic sources.
1 in 3residents may experience some form of abuse or neglect
1 in 24cases of elder abuse are estimated to ever reach authorities
5M+older Americans are affected by elder abuse each year
2 in 3staff admitted to abuse or neglect in some survey studies
Figures draw on the National Council on Aging, the World Health Organization, and the National Center on Elder Abuse. Estimates vary by study and setting.
03Case types we cover
Every major nursing home abuse and neglect claim, explained.
Each guide breaks down what the claim involves, the law behind it, and what families typically need to move forward. Start with the type that fits your situation.
Intentional harm
Physical Abuse
Hitting, rough handling, and other intentional harm.
Read guideOften hidden
Emotional & Psychological Abuse
Threats, humiliation, isolation, and intimidation.
Read guideWhen a life is lost
Wrongful Death
When abuse or neglect contributes to a resident's death.
Read guideBedsores & Pressure Ulcers
Wounds that signal a resident was left immobile.
Falls & Fall Injuries
Preventable falls from poor supervision or hazards.
Malnutrition & Dehydration
When residents are not properly fed or hydrated.
Medication Errors
Wrong drugs, wrong doses, and dangerous mixes.
Sexual Abuse
Among the most underreported forms of harm.
Financial Exploitation
Theft, fraud, and misuse of a resident's money.
Resident-on-Resident Abuse
Harm the facility failed to supervise or prevent.
Wandering & Elopement
Residents who leave unsupervised and get hurt.
Sepsis & Infection
Untreated infections that turn life-threatening.
Physical & Chemical Restraints
Unlawful restraint and overmedication.
Choking & Aspiration
Unsafe diets and unsupervised meals.
Assisted Living Abuse
Harm in assisted living and memory care.
04The law on your side
Nursing home residents have federally protected rights.
These claims are not just about bad care. They are grounded in decades of federal and state law that families can enforce.
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987
Part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and signed into law in 1987, it requires any facility taking Medicare or Medicaid to help each resident reach their "highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being."
42 U.S.C. §§ 1395i-3 & 1396r · Cornell LIIA federal Residents' Bill of Rights
Federal regulations guarantee the right to dignity, to take part in care decisions, to voice grievances without reprisal, and to be free from abuse, neglect, and unnecessary restraint.
42 C.F.R. §§ 483.10, 483.12 · Cornell LIIRights families can enforce in court
In 2023 the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that residents may enforce these federal nursing home rights through a civil lawsuit, reaffirming a powerful tool for families.
Health & Hospital Corp. v. Talevski, 599 U.S. 166 (2023)
05If you suspect abuse
Four steps to take right now.
Calm, practical actions that protect your loved one and preserve a possible claim.
Ensure safety
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Then address urgent medical needs.
Document everything
Photograph injuries and conditions. Save records, names, dates, and times.
Report it
Notify the facility, your state ombudsman, and the appropriate agencies.
Talk to an attorney
A qualified lawyer can preserve evidence and explain your options early.
06How we vet
A referral you can actually trust.
Three things we look at before we ever match a family with an attorney.
Real focus
Lawyers who concentrate on nursing home and elder abuse, not whoever takes any case that walks in.
Track record
A demonstrated history handling claims like yours through to resolution.
Right fit
The match has to make sense for your jurisdiction, your timeline, and your family.
07Know your rights
Residents have rights. Families should know them.
- To be free from abuse and neglect
Including physical, verbal, sexual, and financial harm.
- To dignity and a say in their care
And to make choices about their own daily life.
- To voice grievances without fear
Retaliation for complaints is prohibited under federal law.
About the editor
Michael Mangione
Legal Research Editor · Founder, The Mangione Group, Inc.
For more than twelve years, Michael has worked inside contingency-based law firms, building intake departments and studying how legal claims are screened and pursued. He brings that vantage point here, where every guide is researched against primary sources and reviewed under a published editorial standard. He is not a practicing attorney.
08Sources & authorities
Where our information comes from.
We cite primary, public sources so you can verify anything we say.
Federal statute
The Nursing Home Reform Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 1395i-3 and 1396r.
Our guideCornell LII ↗Resident rights
The federal protections every resident and family should know.
Resident rights explainedGovernment data
CMS inspection records and the five-star quality ratings.
Choosing a safe homeMedicare ↗Reporting & oversight
How to report abuse and reach your state ombudsman.
How to reportState resourcesDeadlines by state
Statutes of limitations vary widely and can run quickly.
Statute of limitations by state
09Common questions
Nursing home abuse, answered.
What counts as nursing home abuse or neglect?
Abuse is intentional harm, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial harm. Neglect is the failure to provide basic care such as food, hygiene, supervision, and medical attention. Both can be grounds for a claim, and many cases involve a mix of the two. See abuse vs. neglect.
How do I know if I have a case?
Generally, a case requires harm, a duty of care that was breached, and a connection between the two. The clearest way to find out is to document what happened and speak with a qualified attorney, which is what our free case review is for.
Who can file a nursing home lawsuit?
Often the resident, or a spouse, adult child, or the personal representative of the estate when a resident has died or cannot act for themselves. The rules vary by state. See who can file.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Deadlines, called statutes of limitations, vary by state and by the type of claim. Because they can be short and the clock may already be running, check your state's deadline early.
Are you a law firm?
No. Nursing Home Abuse Help is an independent editorial resource and attorney-referral service. We do not provide legal advice and we do not represent you. We connect families with vetted attorneys who do.
What are the warning signs of nursing home abuse?
Common red flags include unexplained injuries or bruising, sudden weight loss, bedsores, poor hygiene, fear or withdrawal around staff, and unexplained changes to a resident's finances. Many signs are easy to miss on a short visit. Our guide to the warning signs of abuse and neglect covers what to look for.
Your family deserves a clear answer.
Start with a free, no-obligation case review. We will help you understand what happened and, if it fits, connect you with a qualified attorney who can help.