There are more than 16,000 nursing homes in the United States, housing approximately two million residents. While we expect nursing homes to provide a safe environment and skilled care for our loved ones, many fail to meet this expectation. Research has shown that nursing home negligence and abuse are serious and widespread problems. According to one Congressional report, for example, 10 percent of nursing homes in the United States were cited for abuse violations that cased harm to residents or put residents at risk for serious injury or death during a two-year period from 1999 to 2001. Further, more than 90 percent of U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007, with 17 percent of these exhibiting deficiencies that caused actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services inspectors received more than 37,000 complaints about nursing home conditions in 2007, and substantiated 39 percent of them. About one-fifth of the substantiated complaints involved abuse or neglect.

As you can see, it is imperative to continuously monitor the care our loved ones receive and the conditions in which they live. Signs of nursing home negligence, nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse include bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, poor personal hygiene, bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, fractures, frozen joints, infections, medication errors, sudden behavioral changes, fear, depression, theft and unexplained changes in financial account balances or documents. If you observe any of these signs, act quickly to protect your loved one by contacting the experienced attorneys of Scartelli Olszewski. We are all too familiar with the seriousness of nursing home negligence and are prepared to represent our clients in such cases.

Scartelli Olszewski’s PA personal injury lawyers have successfully counseled and represented injury victims in state and federal courts, as well as alternative dispute resolution proceedings such as arbitration and mediation. We strive to secure maximum recoveries for our clients, and to help them get their lives back on track. If you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse or neglect, we encourage you to contact us today at (877) 353-0529.