Experienced Attorneys Protecting the Rights of the Neglected and Abused
The Nursing Home Law Center is committed to providing the legal resources necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable.
Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Licensed in Missouri
Nursing home abuse is a heartbreaking reality that many families face when entrusting the care of their loved ones to Missouri nursing homes.
Elderly residents are among the most vulnerable members of society. When nursing homes fail to provide the necessary care, it can result in serious physical harm, emotional trauma, and even wrongful death.
If you suspect that your family member is experiencing abuse or neglect, seeking legal help from an experienced Missouri nursing home abuse lawyer is critical.
Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center
At Nursing Home Law Center, our priority is to secure justice and fair compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our seasoned legal team has a strong history of handling these cases with care and achieving significant settlements and verdicts.
We conduct thorough investigations to ensure all forms of harm, including medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages, are fully considered. With our extensive experience in nursing home abuse cases, we handle the legal challenges effectively and are relentless in defending your rights.
We offer compassionate and clear guidance throughout the process, ensuring you and your loved ones remain informed, supported, and confident at every stage.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Nursing home abuse refers to the intentional harm, neglect, or mistreatment of elderly residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Below are the types of cases our Missouri personal injury lawyers handle:
Physical Abuse
Physical assault involves intentional harm to nursing home residents. This bodily harm can include hitting, pushing, or using unnecessary force, as well as misusing restraints.
Mental and Emotional Abuse
Emotional harm is another devastating form of abuse in nursing homes. This abuse includes verbal harassment, threats, and isolation, which can lead to severe psychological trauma and a decline in mental health.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident. Elderly residents in assisted living facilities are particularly vulnerable to this form of abuse, and it can cause significant physical and emotional harm.
Medical Malpractice
Nursing homes failing to provide adequate medical care can result in medical malpractice. Common examples include pressure ulcers (bed sores), medication errors, and failure to treat infections. Such failure can lead to life-threatening conditions and long-term complications.
Negligence
Nursing home negligence occurs when a facility neglects its duty to provide proper care. This neglect can include poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and failure to monitor residents, leading to accidents like falls or elopement (when residents wander off unsupervised).
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is another serious issue in Missouri nursing homes. This exploitation occurs when staff or administrators illegally access or steal residents’ assets, often taking advantage of their vulnerability and confusion.
Wrongful Death
In the most tragic cases, nursing home negligence can result in the wrongful death of a resident. Our Missouri nursing home lawyers work to pursue wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of families who have lost a loved one due to elder abuse or neglect.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Federal and state laws offer strong protections for nursing home residents, ensuring they receive proper care and are free from abuse.
Under the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, nursing home residents are guaranteed the right to receive adequate care, protection from abuse, and the ability to live with dignity. Facilities must provide necessary medical care, prevent harm, and respect residents’ rights.
State laws also have specific regulations to protect residents in Missouri nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
These laws establish standards for care and impose legal responsibility on nursing homes to protect residents from abuse and neglect. Nursing homes can be held accountable in court if they fail to meet these standards.
Eligibility to File a Claim
The resident, their family members, or a legal representative can file a nursing home abuse claim. In cases of wrongful death, the resident’s estate or family can pursue legal action to seek compensation for the harm caused.
Liability in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases
In cases of nursing home neglect and abuse, multiple parties may be held responsible for the harm caused to residents.
This is because providing care in a nursing home setting often involves various individuals and entities, each with its own legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. When these duties are neglected, they can all share liability for the abuse or neglect.
- Nursing Home Administrators: Facility managers oversee operations, staffing, and ensure proper training. If they fail to address or prevent abusive behavior, they can be held liable for negligence.
- Staff Members: Caregivers and aides who directly interact with residents may be held accountable if they physically abuse or neglect those in their care, resulting in serious harm.
- Third-Party Contractors: In some cases, nursing homes outsource services like medical care or maintenance to outside companies. If these contractors contribute to the abuse or neglect of residents, they may also be liable.
How Our Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help
Our Missouri attorneys have extensive experience handling abuse and neglect cases. We understand how devastating these situations can be for families, and we are committed to pursuing justice on your behalf.
Our legal services include:
- Free Case Evaluation: We offer a free consultation to review your case and help you determine the best course of action.
- Case Investigation: We conduct thorough investigations to gather evidence of abuse, including medical records, witness testimony, and facility inspections.
- Filing the Claim: Our attorneys will file a claim on your behalf, ensuring all legal requirements are met, and your loved one’s rights are protected.
- Settlement Negotiation: We will negotiate with the responsible parties and their insurance companies to seek the best possible settlement.
- Trial Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our lawyers will represent your family in court, fighting for justice and financial compensation.
Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents
There are 492 Medicare-approved nursing homes in Missouri. Of these, 258 facilities (52.4%) have received a below- or much-below-average overall score.
Specifically, 221 nursing homes (44.9%) fall short in health inspections, highlighting concerns about regulatory compliance and safety standards.
Regarding staff levels, 321 facilities (65.2%) received low scores, highlighting widespread inadequacies in staffing that can affect the quality of care and attention residents receive.
In terms of quality measures, 212 nursing homes (43.1%) rated poorly, indicating that most nursing homes in the state are not meeting high standards of care.
Additionally, 87 facilities (17.7%) were cited for abuse, raising serious concerns about resident safety in nearly one-third of the state’s facilities. [1]
The worst-rated nursing homes in Missouri include:
| Abundant Acres Care and Rehab | Ackert Park Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center |
| Advanced Care of St Joseph | Aegis Health and Rehabilitation |
| Alpine Breeze Health and Wellness | Amberwood Estates Nursing and Rehabilitation |
| Anew Healthcare Brookfield | Anew Healthcare Odessa |
| Apple Ridge Care Center | Appleton City Manor |
| Arbor Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Arbor View Nursing and Rehabilitation |
| Armour Oaks Senior Living Community | Aspire Senior Living Excelsior Springs |
| Aspire Senior Living Platte City | Athene Nursing and Rehabilitation |
| Atrium Place Health and Rehabilitation | Aurora Health and Rehabilitation |
| Aurora Nursing | Autumn Oaks Caring Center |
| Avalon View Health and Wellness | Baisch Nursing Center |
| Baptist Homes of Independence | Baptist Homes, Tri-County |
| Beauvais Rehab and Healthcare Center | Belleview Care Center |
| Belleview Valley Nursing Home | Beloved Health and Rehabilitation Center |
| Bentleys Extended Care | Bentwood Nursing & Rehab |
| Bernard Care Center | Beth Haven Nursing Home |
| Big Bend Woods Healthcare Center | Big Spring Care Center for Rehab and Healthcare |
| Bluebird Wellness and Rehabilitation | Brunswick Nursing & Rehab |
| Camdenton Windsor Estates | Cameron Nursing Center |
| Carmel Hills Wellness & Rehabilitation | Carnegie Village Rehabilitation & Health Care Center |
| Carriage Square Rehab and Healthcare Center | Cassville Health Center for Rehab and Healthcare |
| Chariton Park Health Care Center | Chestnut Rehab and Nursing |
| Clara Manor Nursing Home | Columbia Manor Health & Rehabilitation |
| Community Manor | Country Aire Retirement Center |
| Country Club Rehab and Healthcare Center | Country View Nursing |
| Crestview Home | Crestwood Health Care Center, LLC |
| Creve Coeur Manor | Crown Rehab and Healthcare Center |
| Delhaven Manor | Dixon Nursing & Rehab |
| Eastview Manor Care Center | Edgewood Manor Health Care Center |
| Eldon Nursing & Rehab | Estates of Hidden Lake, The |
| Estates of Perryville, LLC, The | Estates of Spanish Lake, The |
| Estates of St Louis, LLC, The | Festus Manor |
| Fieser Nursing Center | Florissant Valley Health & Rehabilitation Center |
| Four Seasons Living Center | Fulton Manor Care Center |
| Fulton Nursing & Rehab | Garden View Care Center |
| Golden Years Center for Rehab and Healthcare | Grand River Health Care |
| Gregory Ridge Health Care Center | Heritage Care Center |
| Hill Crest Manor | Hillside Rehab and Healthcare Center |
| Hilltop at Blue River, The | Ignite Medical Resort Carondelet LLC |
| Independence Manor Care Center | Jefferson City Manor Care Center |
| Jefferson City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC | Jefferson Health Care |
| Johnson County Care Center | Kirksville Manor Care Center |
| Knox County Nursing Home District | Lakeview Post Acute |
| Lansdowne Village | Laverna Manor Health & Rehabilitation |
| Lawrence County Manor | Lawson Manor & Rehab |
| Lebanon North Nursing & Rehab | Lee’s Summit Place |
| Legendary Nursing & Rehabilitation LLC | Lemay Nursing |
| Lewis & Clark Gardens | Lincoln County Nursing & Rehab |
| Living Community of St Joseph | Livingston Manor Care Center |
| Manchester Rehab and Healthcare Center | Manor, The |
| Maple Grove Lodge | Maple Grove Wellness & Rehabilitation |
| Mark Twain Nursing | Marshfield Care Center for Rehab and Healthcare |
| Marymount Manor | Meadow View Health & Rehabilitation |
| Medicalodges Nevada | Meyer Care Center |
| Milan Health Care Center | Monticello House |
| Nick’s Health Care Center, LLC | Normandy Nursing Center |
| North Village Park | Oak Park Care Center |
| Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Health Care Center | Ozark Rehabilitation & Health Care Center |
| Parkside Manor | Parkview Healthcare |
| Parkway Health Care Center | Paul L & Martha Barone Care Center |
| Pearl’s II Eden for Elders | Pillars of North County Health & Rehab Center, The |
| Pin Oaks Living Center | Portageville Health Care Center |
| Quail Run Health Care Center | Quarters at Des Peres, The |
| Rancho Rehab and Healthcare Center | Rehabilitation Center of Independence, The |
| Rehab of Kansas City South | Ridge Crest Nursing Center |
| River City Living Community | River Crossing Rehab and Healthcare Center |
| Rosewood Rehab and Healthcare Center | Sage Nursing & Rehab |
| Seasons Rehab and Healthcare Center | Senath South Health Care Center |
| Seneca Nursing | Seville Care Center |
| Shangri-LA Rehab & Living Center | Silex Community Care |
| Silverstone Place | Springfield Skilled Care Center |
| Spring Valley Health & Rehabilitation Center | St Andrew’s at New Florence |
| St Johns Place | St Joseph Manor Health & Rehabilitation |
| St Louis Altenheim | St Peters Rehab and Healthcare Center |
| St Sophia Health & Rehabilitation Center | Stonebridge Florissant |
| Stonebridge Maryland Heights | Sunnyview Nursing Home & Apartments |
| Sunrise Nursing & Memory Care | Sunset Home |
| Superior Manor of Festus, LLC | Tarkio Rehabilitation & Health Care |
| Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation & Health Care Cente | Troy Manor |
| Truman Lake Manor Inc | U-City Forest Manor |
| Valley Manor and Rehabilitation Center | Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation Center |
| Webb City Health and Rehabilitation Center | Westchester House, The |
| Westview Nursing Home | Wilshire at Lakewood Rehab Center |
| Windsor Estates of St Charles |
Recognizing the signs of abuse in an assisted living facility is critical to protecting your loved one. Common indicators include:
- Unexplained injuries such as broken bones, bruises, or bed sores
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as withdrawal or anxiety
- Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or dehydration
- Fear of certain staff members or reluctance to speak openly
- Sudden, unexplained changes in financial accounts or missing belongings
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, take immediate action to protect them. Follow these steps:
- Call 911 if there is an imminent danger to your loved one’s safety.
- Report the issue to the nursing home administrator or management.
- File a formal complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for the rights of nursing home residents.
- Contact a Missouri nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options and pursue legal action if necessary.
Damages You Can Recover Through a Nursing Home Abuse Claim
Victims of nursing home abuse and their families may be entitled to recover several types of damages.
Economic damages compensate for the direct financial costs associated with the abuse or neglect. These can include:
- Medical expenses
- Relocation costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-economic damages cover the intangible harms caused by abuse, such as emotional suffering and loss of quality of life. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages are awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional abuse. These damages are not tied to any specific financial or emotional loss but are meant to punish the responsible parties and deter future misconduct.
The Cost of Hiring a Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
At Nursing Home Law Center, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for your case. This arrangement ensures families can pursue justice without worrying about the financial burden of hiring a lawyer.
You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Missouri
Missouri law imposes strict deadlines on filing nursing home abuse lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect, it’s important to act quickly to protect their legal rights. Contact us today to learn more about how long you have to file a claim in Missouri.
Contact a Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!
Our lawyers are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of elderly residents who have been mistreated. We have the experience and legal knowledge to handle even the most complex nursing home negligence cases. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you protect your loved one’s rights and pursue the financial compensation they deserve.
Call us at (800) 926-7565 or fill out our contact form.
References: [1] CMS