January 26, 2026
Nursing home residents deserve to live in peace and with their dignity intact. But unfortunately, many residents suffer from abuse and neglect at the hands of the people who are supposed to be taking care of them.
A 2021 study reports that about one out of every ten individuals age 65 and older experiences some form of abuse, but the actual number of abused elderly and nursing home residents is likely much higher.
Many nursing home abuse cases go unreported because residents can’t communicate their experiences properly. That means nursing home employees and family members should be extra vigilant. To prevent oversight, here’s an outline of the most common signs of elder abuse in nursing homes.
Physical Abuse
Any form of physical harm or violence to a nursing home resident is considered physical abuse. Examples include kicking, slapping, and scratching. Because many nursing home residents are physically weak, any instance of physical abuse can cause long-term issues that can take months to resolve. Abuse can even lead to an untimely death.
To make sure elder physical abuse doesn’t go unnoticed, look out for these signs in your loved one:
- Sprains, broken bones, or dislocated joints
- Bruises, especially on the arms
- Burns from cigarettes or appliances
- Loss of teeth or hair
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Any negative shifts in behavior
- The caregiver’s inability to explain the injury
- A tense relationship between the caregiver and the resident
Emotional Abuse
Nursing home residents can also be emotionally abused. Verbal harassment and psychological manipulation are considered elder emotional abuse. Examples include insulting, yelling, threatening, and bullying.
It’s one of the most common forms of abuse that nursing home residents endure, leaving them with long-lasting mental health issues. It can lead to depression, anxiety, dementia, and PTSD.
Emotional abuse may be hard to spot, but here are the signs to look out for:
- Fear of their caregiver
- Being withdrawn or shyer than usual
- Having low self-esteem
- Not making eye contact
- Thumb-sucking
- Mumbling
- Rocking back and forth
- Self-neglect or self-harm
- Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
- Controlling or threatening behavior from the caregiver
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any sexual contact with a nursing home resident who is unable to express their disapproval. The most common victims are those who suffer from dementia or memory loss and are typically older than 60. Most of the time, they fail to report the sexual abuse they endured because of their mental condition.
It’s all too easy for resident sexual abuse to go unnoticed, but there are physical and emotional telltale signs:
- A pelvic injury
- Inability to sit or walk
- Genital infections or a sexually transmitted disease
- Bruises on the genitals or inner thighs
- Bleeding from the genitals or anus
- Ripped, stained, or bloody underwear
- Seeming agitated or withdrawn
- Panic attacks or PTSD
- Suicide attempts
Neglect
Unfortunately, nursing home resident abuse isn’t limited to physical, emotional, and sexual forms. Caregiver neglect falls under the umbrella of abuse, too, and can occur in many ways:
- Hazardous living conditions, such as faulty electrical wiring, no heater, and no running water
- Dirty living conditions, such as soiled clothes and bedding
- Clothing that’s inappropriate for the weather
- Lack of proper nutrition
- Lack of proper hygiene
- Bedsores from not being turned over
Financial Abuse
Some nursing home residents entrust their finances to the people around them. But this can lead others to take advantage of the situation for personal gain. The National Council on Aging says that financial exploitation costs elders $28.3 billion in losses each year.
Financial exploitation is the most challenging form of abuse to detect, but these signs can help you catch it:
- Unusual withdrawals from a resident’s bank account
- Sudden changes in wills, property titles, and insurance policies
- Cash and other items disappearing from the resident’s room
- Unusual purchases of goods and services
What Steps Should I Take if I Suspect My Loved One Is Being Abused?
If you believe something is wrong and your loved one is being mistreated at their nursing home, act quickly. Abuse often escalates when it goes unreported.
Taking these steps can help protect your loved one:
- Document everything you notice. Write down dates, names, injuries, behavioral changes, and anything that feels unusual. Photos of visible injuries can also be helpful.
- Speak with your loved one privately, if possible. Residents may fear retaliation or feel ashamed about speaking up. Provide reassurance and listen closely to what they say and don’t
- Raise your concerns with staff or management. Sometimes, poor communication or understaffing leads to neglect. If the response is dismissive, vague, or inconsistent, treat it as a red flag.
- Request medical evaluation. A doctor or nurse practitioner can identify injuries or signs of neglect that may not be immediately obvious.
- Report suspected abuse. In Nebraska, you can report abuse to Adult Protective Services, the Department of Health and Human Services, or local law enforcement if you believe the resident is in immediate danger. You can also contact a local ombudsman.
- Contact a nursing home abuse attorney. An experienced lawyer at Friedman Law Offices can help investigate what happened, preserve evidence, and ensure the facility is held accountable.
Acting quickly not only protects your loved one, but also can prevent other residents from suffering similar harm.
What Compensation Is Available for Abused Residents and Their Families?
When a nursing home fails to provide appropriate care, Nebraska law allows victims and their families to pursue compensation for the losses they’ve suffered.
Depending on the details of the case, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses for past and future treatment
- Costs of relocation to a safer facility
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Mental anguish and diminished quality of life
- Disability or reduced mobility resulting from abuse
- Loss of companionship or emotional support
- Punitive damages in cases of reckless or intentional misconduct
- Wrongful death damages when abuse leads to fatal injuries
A lawyer can determine which forms of compensation apply to your family’s situation and build a claim that reflects the full scope of your loved one’s harm.
How Can a Lawyer Help With My Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
Nursing home abuse cases require a deep understanding of both state regulations and federal safety standards. The legal team at Friedman Law Offices will:
- Investigate the facility’s hiring practices, staffing levels, and prior violations
- Review medical records, care plans, and documentation logs
- Obtain witness statements from staff, residents, and family members
- Work with medical and forensic experts to confirm injuries and causes
- Determine how long the abuse may have occurred and who was responsible
- Handle communications with the facility, insurance companies, and opposing counsel
- Seek the maximum compensation available under Nebraska law
Your lawyer’s role is to protect your loved one, uncover the truth, and fight for accountability.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Nebraska?
Nebraska nursing home victims and their families may have as little as two years to file a lawsuit for cases of nursing home abuse or neglect. While that may sound like plenty of time, abuse in nursing homes is often hidden, denied, or only gradually uncovered.
The longer a family waits to take action, the harder it becomes to preserve medical records, witness statements, and other key evidence.
In certain situations, such as when a facility hides injuries or misrepresents what happened, the clock may not start running until the abuse is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. However, this exception is limited and can be difficult to prove.
If you suspect your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in their nursing home, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing your chance for compensation for what your family has suffered.
What Is the Legal Process of a Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
While every case is unique, most nursing home abuse claims follow a similar process:
- Initial Consultation: You’ll meet with a lawyer at Friedman Law Offices to explain what happened, share your concerns, and discuss your legal options moving forward.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: The attorney reviews your loved one’s medical records, facility logs, staff histories, and incident reports. They may also interview witnesses and consult with experts.
- Filing the Claim: Your lawyer files a formal claim against the nursing home, its staff, or any third parties responsible for the abuse or neglect.
- Negotiations: Many cases settle outside of court. Your attorney will negotiate to secure fair compensation that truly reflects the harm done.
- Litigation (if Necessary): If the facility refuses to take responsibility or offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to trial.
- Resolution: Whether through settlement or a court verdict, the case concludes when accountability is established and compensation is secured for your loved one.
Your attorney will guide you through every stage, ensuring you understand your rights and options at each step.
Contact Our Team Today
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, visit as often as possible and pay attention to all the little details. Small warning signs can be the first indication of a much larger problem. If you notice unexplained injuries, sudden behavioral changes, poor hygiene, or anything else that raises suspicion, take action immediately.
If your loved one has been abused or neglected, seek legal help right away. The attorneys at Friedman Law Offices are committed to protecting vulnerable residents and holding negligent facilities accountable.
Contact Friedman Law Offices today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your concerns, explain your options, and help you take the next steps toward justice and safety for your loved one.