Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA

Last updated on June 15, 2026

Although you may recognize that you are no longer equipped to care for your elderly loved one by yourself, it can still be difficult to make the decision to entrust your loved one’s care to others. Discovering that the facility does not provide the proper care after this decision can make you feel powerless and leave you feeling devastated. You are not powerless, however, when you have a knowledgeable legal ally by your side.

If you suspect nursing home abuse or negligence in Pittsburgh or anywhere in Pennsylvania, you don’t have to face it alone. The Pittsburgh nursing home abuse attorneys at Phillips Froetschel have decades of combined experience holding facilities, staff, and corporations accountable when they fail to provide proper care. We are equipped to take legal action and fight to hold parties accountable. We want to see you earn the outcome you deserve, in your case, whether we have to pursue it through negotiation or litigation.

Contact our attorneys at Phillips Froetschel by calling us at 412-643-0682 or sending an email. We offer free initial consultations.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect In Pennsylvania?

Nursing home abuse happens when a resident suffers harm because of intentional mistreatment such as physical force, verbal threats, emotional manipulation, sexual contact or financial exploitation. Neglect occurs when a facility fails to give the basic level of care a resident needs. Even without intent to cause harm, neglect can lead to serious injuries because older adults depend on steady supervision, safe surroundings and timely medical care. A Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyer can help families understand how these problems develop and what steps may guide their next decisions during a stressful time.

Abuse and neglect appear in many ways. For example, staff may delay medication, ignore call lights or move residents without proper support. Some residents develop infections when staff skip parts of a care plan or fail to follow sanitary rules. Others suffer injuries when workers use restraints in unsafe ways or overlook strong signs of emotional distress. A nursing home abuse attorney in Pennsylvania can explain whether these failures fall below the level of care required under state law and local regulations. You may also want to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney if you need help understanding how these issues arise or what documents may support your concerns.

Many families notice changes before anyone confirms abuse or neglect. Loved ones may seem withdrawn, confused, dehydrated or fearful around certain workers. They may have bruises, weight loss or repeated infections that raise concern for safety. If this describes your situation, you may benefit from meeting with a Pittsburgh nursing home abuse attorney who can review the facts and help you explore your options with more clarity and confidence.

Common Types Of Nursing Home Negligence And Abuse

Nursing homes, nursing facilities and other senior living facilities become our loved ones’ new homes, and those facilities have an obligation to provide a safe, caring, therapeutic and healthy environment for their residents. Unfortunately, abusive and negligent care is far too common. Whether due to understaffing, poorly trained staff or sadistic staff members, vulnerable residents can suffer terrible health impacts, including:

• Falls
• Wound care
• Pressure ulcers
• Medication errors
• Delayed diagnosis of infection
• Failure to treat the infection

These injuries often are the result of failure to provide reasonably adequate nursing home care. Common examples of nursing home negligence in PA include:

• Failing to regularly reposition a resident with limited mobility, which can lead to pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores
• Careless lifting in and out of bed, which can cause staff to drop a resident onto the floor
• Unsanitary bathrooms or dining areas, which can spread disease

Accidents happen, but nursing homes are liable for harm to their residents caused by the facility’s negligence.

If a loved one has suffered from repeated illness or falls in a nursing facility, or they are showing signs of potential abuse or neglect (such as bruising, dehydration, unclean surroundings or unexplained weight loss), you may have a strong personal injury case or wrongful death action.

Why Do Nursing Homes Use Arbitration Agreements?

When loved ones are admitted to nursing facilities, it is at this time that family members complete what can seem like a mountain of paperwork. It is a common practice for administrators at these facilities to include an arbitration document in this paperwork without explaining the impact this agreement will have on those signing this contract.

Arbitration Agreements Can Be Risky To Sign And Here’s Why

Arbitration clauses often appear in nursing home admission packets, and families may not realize what they give up when they sign these provisions. These agreements come with the following risks:

• Those signing agree to give up their right to a jury trial guaranteed by the United States Constitution in favor of private arbitration of claims should they suffer injury or death due to the nursing home’s negligence.
• Such arbitrations are often much more costly than a traditional lawsuit.
• The results of an arbitration remain private. When the findings of an arbitration remain confidential, this prevents other victims of abuse or negligence from learning about this pattern of unlawful actions.
• Arbitrators, the individuals responsible for resolving the dispute, are often biased in favor of the nursing homes. Big businesses, such as nursing home facilities, often select and pay the arbitrator who oversees the arbitration proceeding.

If your loved one is being transferred to a nursing facility, ask to see the admission paperwork ahead of time. If there is an arbitration agreement, ask if you’re able to refuse signing it. If you’re not, you may consider finding another facility to care for your loved one.

What Is The Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect?

The big difference between nursing home neglect and abuse is intent. Abuse is something that is often carried out intentionally, whether it is physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse or emotional abuse. A care worker intentionally uses their position of power to take advantage of another individual, making it a deliberate choice that leads to some level of harm.

With neglect, the resident is not getting the type of care that they need. There might not be intent to cause harm, but rather a failure to provide these necessary services. For instance, a staff member may neglect to help an elderly resident who needs assistance while taking showers. That person could then slip and fall, leading to a serious head injury. The staff member never intended to cause that injury, but by neglecting to provide necessary assistance, they created the dangerous conditions that led to the fall.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

It is important to ask yourself some questions if you believe nursing home abuse is occurring, whether to yourself or a loved one. Examples include:

• What is the root cause of any unexplained injuries such as bruises or lacerations?
• Have there been any significant changes to the resident’s personality such as appearing nervous or fearful around certain workers at the nursing home?
• Is the elderly person suffering from something like dementia or Alzheimer’s, which could make it more difficult for them to report what is happening to them?
• Have there been any significant changes to their hygiene or well-being, or are there underlying issues such as malnutrition or dehydration that may not necessarily leave direct physical signs like cuts and bruises?

If you do believe your loved one is experiencing neglect or abuse, it is important to gather evidence and explore your legal options.

Who Can Be Held Accountable For Nursing Home Abuse In Pennsylvania?

It depends on exactly how the situation occurred. In many cases, the staff worker who had a duty of care to the resident may be liable. But you may be able to argue that the institution or the owner and operator of the nursing home is also liable. For instance, nursing home neglect is often a product of understaffing, and a company that has intentionally or knowingly understaffed a nursing home may be responsible for injuries that happen on the premises.

Get Award-Winning PA Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys On Your Side

Do not make the mistake of making any decision about this situation without first speaking to an experienced attorney. Our award-winning attorneys are consistently selected for inclusion on Super Lawyers, have secured the highest possible ratings for legal ability through Martindale-Hubbell and have been inducted into the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and Southern Pennsylvania. Put their insight to work for you.

Get Help From a Pittsburgh Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today

If you are ready to meet with our Pennsylvania lawyers, Laura Phillips and Joe Froetschel, who can defend your loved one after they suffer harm in their nursing home, contact us today.

Call Laura and Joe at 412-643-0682 or email us here to schedule your free initial consultation now.