{"id":353494,"date":"2016-12-19T10:33:55","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T15:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/nursing-home-abuse-how-to-report-abuse-or-neglect.html"},"modified":"2023-10-24T09:36:47","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T14:36:47","slug":"nursing-home-abuse-how-to-report-abuse-or-neglect","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/nursing-home-abuse-how-to-report-abuse-or-neglect.html","title":{"rendered":"Nursing Home Abuse How To Report Abuse or Neglect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nursing Home Complaints: How To Report Abuse or Neglect<\/h1>\n
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\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The decision to move a loved one into a nursing home is always difficult. On the one hand, you’re comforted by the presence of nursing home staff members. They are available to provide necessary care and supervision. But, you wonder just how well trained and supervised those staff members are. These are valid concerns, especially in light of recent reports. Research has shown that nearly\u00a0one in three nursing homes<\/a>\u00a0have reports of abuse.<\/p>\r\n

Victims of abuse who are already in a vulnerable position are often unable to protect themselves. They rely on loved ones or family members to intervene. In some cases, this requires filing a nursing home complaint. Below is a general overview of how to report\u00a0nursing home neglect or abuse<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Emergency Safety Measures<\/h2>\r\n

Legal claims can take years to resolve in civil court. In the meantime, your elderly loved one may be in imminent danger. If a problem involving nursing home abuse or neglect is severe and ongoing, you may need to take emergency safety measures. Unlike a civil legal claim which requires evidence and time to resolve, an emergency phone call to the authorities works much quicker.<\/p>\r\n

Regardless of where you live, you can always report nursing home abuse or neglect to your local law enforcement agencies. Toll-free 911 calls are available for situations requiring immediate attention. But, each state and territory also has an\u00a0Adult Protective Services<\/a>\u00a0(APS) agency, many of which have 24-hour hotlines to report abuse. Contacting APS will trigger an investigation. It may lead to possible referral to law enforcement if there is criminal activity.<\/p>\r\n

Gather the Facts<\/h2>\r\n

When you report an incident of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s important to provide basic information to help guide investigators. This will allow them to determine if the client needs immediate action, particularly in situations involving physical abuse or financial exploitation. Providing enough information to investigators helps them decide whether a resident needs immediate hospital care or help in blocking access to bank accounts.<\/p>\r\n

When collecting information for a nursing home complaint, document, if possible:<\/p>\r\n