Nursing Home Abuse Help:

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

Anyone is capable of reporting nursing home neglect or abuse. If you suspect foul play, or a resident complains about mistreatment, it is your responsibility to notify authorities. It is a violation of state and federal law for anyone, including staff, volunteers, family members, guardians, or neighboring residents neglect or abuse a nursing home inhabitant. Many states have established legislation requiring anyone to come forward who may claim to have witnessed wrongdoing.

If you are considering filing a nursing home abuse report, you should also consider your legal options. Fill out our free case evaluation today to hear from a nursing home abuse attorney today.

When filing a nursing home abuse report, make sure it is in writing and dated. Always keep a copy that you can refer to in case the original is tampered with or lost. In your document, be sure to include:

Who
- Name of victim, including age and address
- Name of facility
- People overseeing victim's care
- Description of person you believe is responsible for maltreatment
What
- Nature of harm inflicted upon victim
- Physical signs of abuse
- How long abuse or neglect has been occurring
Where
- Place in which incident took place
When
- Time and date of incident

Be as thorough as you can when describing the events; a detailed account will spur the investigation. Send your report to:

Nursing home administrator, nursing director, and social worker
Local or state ombudsman
Local or state police
Protection and Advocacy or Adult Protective Services agencies
State agency responsible for licensing and certifying nursing homes (usually part of health department)
Citizen advocacy group, church group, or community committee that visits on a regular basis

Keep trying until you are pleased with the response.

In addition to filing a complaint, nursing home residents and their families have the option of speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney. Our nursing home abuse lawyers serve clients throughout Florida and nationwide and have obtained substantial settlements and verdict on behalf of these individuals. If you or a loved one has become a victim of nursing home abuse, contact our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys today.