Stopping Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

New York Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Serving NYC including Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn

Elderly people in nursing homes are at risk of various kinds of abuse and neglect in New York Nursing Homes.  Because the elderly sometimes find it difficult to communicate, or because they are afraid of retaliation from the nursing home staff if they complain, injuries to the aged often go unnoticed and unreported.  If your loved one is in a New York Nursing Home is important to be aware of potential injuries and other forms of harm than can occur in nursing homes.

Elder Abuse can be a wide range of issues from physical abuse to neglect of the elderly in nursing homes. As New York Nursing Home Abuse attorneys we alert our clients to look for a variety of warning signs of nursing home abuse.  Type of nursing home abuse which can lead to a lawsuit can include:

Some of the symptoms we have seen as NYC Nursing Abuse attorneys include

If you suspect a loved one to be the victim of abuse or neglect, call for a free consultation with one of our New York Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys.

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes in New York

Physical abuse can take the form of hitting, slapping, shaking or pushing. Nursing Home Residents may also be exposed to unreasonable physical restraint, prolonged isolation and confinement, deprivation of food and water, and unauthorized psychotropic medications.   Some new York  nursing home residents may be violent and poorly supervised and may cause injury to other residents. Warning signs of physical abuse include:

  • Unexplained bruises, welts or scars.
  • Broken bones, sprains or dislocations.
  • Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on the wrists, ankles, throat or mouth.
  • Broken eyeglasses or frames.
  • Burns and abrasions.
  • Reports of drug overdose.
  • Refusal by caregivers to allow you to see the resident alone.

Sexual Abuse in New York Nursing Homes and to The Elderly

Sexual abuse in New York Nursing Homes is a non-consensual interaction or contact, usually between a resident and caregiver.  What makes this form of abuse especially shocking is that the caregiver is in a position of dominance or authority over a person who is weak or incapacitated. This kind of abuse may involve sex acts but it need not be physical.  It can also involve forcing a person to view pornographic material or sexual acts, or forcing the elderly person to undress for no reason. Warning signs of sexual abuse in New York nursing homes include:

  • Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections.
  • Bruising around the breasts or genitals.
  • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
  • Torn or bloody undergarments or bedding.

Emotional Abuse to The Elderly

Caregivers may treat nursing home residents in such a way that it causes them to feel emotional pain or distress.  This abuse may take the form of yelling, threats or intimidation, ridicule and humiliation, blaming and scapegoating, habitually ignoring the resident, or keeping him or her isolated from friends or activities. Warning signs of emotional abuse include:

  • Depression or unwillingness to talk.
  • Infantile or other strange behaviors such as rocking, sucking or mumbling to oneself.
  • Physical or emotional withdrawal.
  • Listlessness or unresponsiveness.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, you should notify the proper law enforcement and regulatory authorities immediately. If you feel that further legal action is required, consult an experienced NYC elder Abuse attorney who is knowledgeable about nursing home issues.

The Orlow Firm Can Help


The Orlow Firm is a team of dedicated, confident, knowledgeable personal injury attorneys. They handle a variety of injury cases, from New York bus accidents to construction accidents in Queens. With years of experience, they are ready to put their knowledge to work, and help you in your case.