Pittsburgh Personal Care Home Neglect Lawyers

Fighting for Victims of Abuse & Neglect in Assisted Living Facilities

Personal care homes, also known as assisted living facilities or retirement homes, are not subjected to regulation by the federal government. In Pennsylvania and West Virginia, they are inspected and licensed by the Department of Public Welfare, and the Department of Health and Human Resources, respectively. They are not considered to be "medical facilities" in any sense, and they do not have to hire nurses or other medical staff.

Despite those limitations, many personal care homes that have been faced with the prospect of losing monthly income from residents who clearly need more care than they themselves have the resources or ability to provide completely drop the proverbial ball.

Residents themselves pay the price.

What is Neglect?

Neglect in assisted living facilities and retirement homes refers to the failure or refusal of staff members or caregivers to fulfill their obligations or responsibilities to meet the basic needs of the residents under their care. It can involve a variety of forms of neglect, ranging from physical neglect to emotional and psychological neglect. Here are some common examples:

• Physical Neglect: This involves the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene, medical care, and safety precautions. Examples include:

  • Ignoring residents' requests for assistance with basic activities such as bathing, toileting, or eating.
  • Failing to provide necessary medical treatments or medications.
  • Allowing living conditions to deteriorate, such as inadequate heating or cooling, poor sanitation, or lack of maintenance in living spaces.
  • Not providing assistance with mobility, leading to accidents or falls.

• Emotional or Psychological Neglect: This occurs when residents' emotional or social needs are ignored or disregarded. Examples include:

  • Ignoring residents or refusing to engage in conversation or activities with them.
  • Isolating residents from social interactions with other residents or the community.
  • Disregarding residents' emotional distress or mental health concerns.
  • Failing to provide mental stimulation or activities to keep residents engaged and mentally active.

• Social Neglect: This involves neglecting the social needs and rights of residents. Examples include:

  • Restricting residents' access to visitors, phone calls, or mail without valid reasons.
  • Failing to facilitate opportunities for social interaction and engagement with other residents or the community.
  • Not addressing complaints or concerns raised by residents about their living conditions or treatment.

• Financial Neglect: This occurs when there is a failure to manage residents' finances appropriately or protect them from financial exploitation. Examples include:

  • Misusing residents' funds for personal gain.
  • Failing to provide proper accounting or documentation of financial transactions.
  • Allowing residents to be exploited financially by staff members or other residents.

• Medical Neglect: This involves neglecting residents' medical needs or failing to provide appropriate medical care. Examples include:

  • Delaying or denying access to medical treatment or diagnostic tests.
  • Failing to follow through with prescribed treatments or therapies.
  • Ignoring symptoms of illness or injury and not seeking appropriate medical attention.

Neglect in assisted living facilities and retirement homes can have serious consequences for residents, including physical harm, deterioration of health, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.

Lean on Our Experience. Call (844) 383-0565 Today.

At Robert Peirce & Associates, our Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers handle personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of individuals and families who have been victimized by abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities and personal care homes. Our firm was one of the first in this area to make cases of nursing home abuse and neglect a priority. In the decades since, we have successfully represented numerous clients in West Virginia, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania litigation.

The result of all this is that our attorneys have developed a comprehensive understanding of the regulations governing these facilities and the ways in which they differ from nursing homes in terms of services and resident rights. They have learned how and where to look for the evidence needed to obtain results. And they have learned how to prepare and present that evidence in clear and compelling ways to opposing counsel, judges, and juries.

For a free consultation, contact us by e-mail, or call us at our Pittsburgh personal care home neglect attorneys at (844) 383-0565.