Where Can I Find the Best Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Pittsburgh?

Yes, you could qualify for a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one died due to abuse or neglect in the nursing home. A wrongful death lawsuit could help you recover any damages you incurred as a result of the abuse of your loved one, for example:

• Medical costs
• Transportation expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Emotional distress

In Pittsburgh, wrongful death suits are typically filed by the personal representative named in the will, which can include: 

• The spouse of the deceased
• A child of the decedent
• An individual mentioned in the will

Nursing home abuse cases fall under personal injury law. Therefore, according to the Statutes of Pennsylvania, Title 42, §552, the time limit for a nursing home abuse lawsuit is generally two years in Pennsylvania. The same timeline also applies for nursing home abuse leading to wrongful death. However, in rare cases, the statute could be paused. A tolling (pausing) of the statute could occur, for example, when you do not discover your loved one’s injuries until a much later date. 

If your loved one experienced ill-treatment in their nursing home, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure you are not missing any filing deadlines. A nursing home abuse lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can analyze your case, help you learn about your rights and options, and move forward with legal action. 

If your loved one got harmed due to nursing home abuse, filing a lawsuit may be the only way to get justice and compensation. Your next best steps can include: 

Consulting with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Trying to go it alone against a nursing home can be stressful and full of pitfalls. A dedicated nursing home attorney can advise you of your rights and walk you through your options. They can also handle all legal aspects of filing a lawsuit, such as preparing the necessary documents, gathering evidence, and negotiating with the facility and its attorneys. 

Preparing the Case

In preparing your lawsuit, your nursing home abuse lawyer will review the relevant documents, such as:

• Physicians’ statements
• Medical records
• Witness testimony
• Nursing home records
• Your loved one’s contract with the home

Once the relevant evidence is collected and your attorney determines that you can move forward with your claim, they can prepare for formally filing the lawsuit. 

Filing the Complaint

Filing the complaint is the first step of filing a suit against the nursing home. The complaint describes the incident, who is liable, and the compensation you are pursuing. After your attorney has filed the complaint in court, the defendant (the nursing home) will be served with the documents. 

Once the defendant has received the complaint, they must answer within a certain time, and the legal process will take its course. If the nursing home is open to resolving the dispute, the case could be resolved with an out-of-court settlement before trial.

Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys have handled a variety of nursing home abuse cases resulting in injury and damages, including:

• General neglect
• Falls due to negligence
• Use of improper restraints
• Physical and emotional abuse
• Medication errors
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Failure to control infectious diseases

The best way to find out whether you have a case is to contact us for a free consultation. We can analyze the facts of your loved one’s abuse incident and find out if you could sue the nursing home for compensation.

We understand that when your loved one is the victim of abuse, your priority will be to ensure they are safe and receive the medical help they need. However, reporting nursing home abuse is crucially important for several reasons. Firstly, a report can be vital evidence if you later intend to hold the nursing home to account for your loved one’s injuries and financial losses. Secondly, reporting nursing home abuse could help other seniors in the same facility who may also suffer from abuse. 

Only when abuse is reported adequately can the police and other agencies take action and hold the perpetrators to account. A report should include:

• The name and age of the victim
• The name and address of the nursing home
• The time and dates of incidents of abuse 
• The name of the abuser, if known
• The names and contact details of any eyewitnesses

Where to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh, you can report nursing home abuse to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging by calling their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-490-8505 or using an online form. If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 for medical help and contact law enforcement. 

It is natural to be concerned about the financial implications of hiring a nursing home abuse lawyer. However, most attorneys practicing in this field work on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, attorney’s fees are generally only due once the case is resolved in your favor. Your attorney will then take a percentage of the settlement as their fee. If you lose, you do not have to pay any attorney’s fees. 

However, contingency fees can vary from one law firm to another, and some charge clients upfront expenses for filing their case. Working with a nursing home attorney at Morgan & Morgan comes with peace of mind as there are no hidden fees or upfront costs for our clients. You will not pay a dime unless and until we have successfully helped you recover compensation.  

Finding out that your relative was mistreated in their nursing home can be a devastating blow for the whole family. You may even wonder if there is anything you could have done to prevent this. However, you are not alone. Elder abuse is shockingly common. Moreover, abusers frequently target frail nursing home residents with dementia or other cognitive problems to try and cover their tracks. The best thing family members can do is to report nursing home abuse as soon as possible and hold those responsible accountable for their egregious acts. 

Morgan & Morgan’s compassionate and determined nursing home abuse lawyers in Pittsburgh are ready to fight for victims of abuse and their families. Contact us now for help and advice by scheduling a free and confidential case review.