What to Do If a Loved One Is Hurt at a Nursing Home
What to Do If a Loved One Is Hurt at a Nursing Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
When you suspect your loved one has been hurt or neglected in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or rehabilitation facility it can feel heartbreaking. These are meant to be safe places for our parents, grandparents, and family members. Unfortunately, data shows that abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities are more common than you might think.
● 16% of residents in U.S. nursing homes report experiencing abuse or neglect — that’s about 1 in 6 residents (SeniorLiving.org).
● Nearly 5 million older Americans experience abuse every year, many of them residing in nursing facilities (National Council on Aging).
● Over 66% of nursing home staff members reported committing some type of neglect or abuse (World Health Organization, 2022)
● Alarmingly, studies suggest only 1 in 24 incidents are ever reported to authorities (Free Nursing Home Abuse Report).
These numbers underline how pervasive, and often hidden, nursing home abuse can be. Many families don’t understand their rights. So what do you do when you suspect your loved one has been mistreated at a nursing home?
This guide outlines clear, practical steps you can take to protect your loved ones living in a long-term care facility. Learn how to identify the warning signs, document and report abuse or neglect, and seek legal action when necessary.
Step 1: Recognize the Warning Signs
The first step is knowing what to look for in cases of nursing home negligence. Abuse and neglect don’t always leave obvious marks, so it’s important to be alert to subtle changes.
Physical Signs
● Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones
● Bedsores or pressure ulcers (pay close attention to the tailbone, back of the head, shoulders, and heels)
● Dehydration or malnutrition
● Soiled clothing or poor hygiene (stay vigilant about monitoring dental health)
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
● Withdrawal or fearfulness
● Sudden changes in mood or personality
● Hesitation or fear when staff are present
● Reluctance to speak freely around caregivers
Environmental Red Flags
● Unsanitary conditions
● Frequent understaffing
● Staff refusing to let you visit or speak privately with your loved one
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Sometimes neglect is obvious — for example if your loved one has sustained injuries after falling off their bed. Other times, it might just be a subtle change in demeanor that is easy to go unnoticed.
Step 2: Ensure Your Loved One Is Safe
If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 right away.
Even if it’s not a crisis, take their safety seriously. If your loved one is injured or showing signs of neglect, don’t hesitate to seek an outside medical evaluation — ideally from a doctor or hospital not affiliated with the nursing home. An unbiased medical opinion can help identify injuries and provide crucial documentation for future steps.
In non-emergency situations, take the following steps:
● Ask for your loved one to be examined by an outside health provider.
● Consider relocating them to another facility or temporary care setting.
● Keep a written log of everything you observe.
● Photograph their injuries and living conditions (including bed linens, food trays, and anything else relevant).
It can be overwhelming to act in the moment, but taking these early steps can make all the difference, whether you're working to protect someone still in care or seeking answers after a devastating loss.
Step 3: Document Everything
Strong documentation can make a big difference in holding a nursing home accountable for abuse or neglect. Start building a detailed record of the situation:
● Take notes about what you’ve seen, heard, and been told.
● Record names, dates and times of incidents or concerns.
● Collect medical records and incident reports.
● Save communications with nursing home staff.
● Capture photos and videos whenever possible.
The more thoroughly you document, the better positioned you’ll be to advocate for your loved one or pursue justice and compensation on their behalf.
Step 4: Report the Abuse or Neglect
Even if you’re not certain of abuse or neglect, it’s important to report suspected complaints. Here are key authorities to contact in Indiana and Kentucky:
In Indiana:
● Indiana Department of Health – Long-Term Care Division
In Indiana, you can report nursing home complaints to the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) by calling their toll-free complaint line at [800]-246-8909 or filing an online complaint: https://www.in.gov/health/ltc/contact/complaints
● Adult Protective Services (APS)
Indiana is a mandatory reporting state, meaning everyone is required by law to report cases of suspected neglect, battery or exploitation of an endangered adult to an APS unit or law enforcement.
All reports are secured and kept confidential. You can call their Hotline at 1-800-992-6978 or file your complaint online: https://aps-govcloud.my.site.com/APSOnlineReport/s/
● State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a government employee who helps resolve complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities. The Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates and can be contacted by phone at [800]-622-4484 or [317]-232-7134. You can also contact them via email: LongTermCareOmbudsman@ombudsman.IN.gov
In Kentucky:
● Office of the Inspector General – Division of Health Care
The Division of Health Care oversees all health care facilities in the state of Kentucky.
○ Call: (502)-564-7963
○ Report Online: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/os/oig/dhc/Documents/ComplaintInformation.pdf
● Adult Protective Services (APS)
○ Call (877)-597-2331 or (800)-752-6200
○ Report Online: https://prd.webapps.chfs.ky.gov/reportabuse
● Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
○ Call (859)-277-9215
○ Email Sherry Culp at sherry@ombuddy.org
When making a report be sure to be as detailed as possible. Include names, dates, descriptions of injuries, and anything else you’ve documented. Don’t forget to ask for a confirmation or report number.
Step 5: Consult a Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect in a Kentucky or Indiana nursing home, it's important to know that you have legal options.
Navigating the legal system alone can feel overwhelming, so we encourage you to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney. It’s important to find an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer near you, as these cases can be more complex than your average personal injury case.
A lawyer can help:
● Investigate your case and preserve critical evidence.
● Work with medical experts and regulatory agencies.
● Hold the nursing home accountable through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
● Secure compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and relocation expenses.
Not every situation leads to a lawsuit—but getting legal advice early can protect your family’s rights and improve your chances of a successful resolution.
What to Do Now
If you suspect your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, act now. Take immediate steps to ensure their safety, begin documenting evidence, and report your concerns.
Then speak with an attorney who understands the nuances of nursing home personal injury law and is ready to fight for your family. It is not too late to get justice if your loved one has passed away at a nursing home or long-term care facility.
Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse or neglect claims is typically two years from the date of injury or death in Indiana, and just one year in Kentucky. Taking immediate action is critical.
Why Choose Schad Law for Your Nursing Home Injury Case
At Schad Law, we believe every person deserves to age with dignity and safety. When nursing homes betray that trust, we step in to hold them accountable. Many personal injury firms avoid nursing home cases because they are complicated and the Medical Malpractice Act's limits attorney fees, but at Schad Law we welcome them. Here’s why you should consider Schad Law for your nursing home legal needs:
● Trial-tested experience: We’re not afraid to take your case to court if a settlement agreement can not be reached.
● Compassionate representation: We treat every client like family.
● Local insight: With deep roots in Indiana and Kentucky, we understand the regulations and agencies involved in nursing home cases.
● Focused advocacy: With proven settlements, we know how to build strong personal injury cases specifically around nursing home abuse and neglect.
● We don’t charge any fee unless we win your case.