Nursing Abuse Attorneys | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

If you or your loved one has suffered negligence or abuse at a nursing home, it’s important to have experienced legal counsel by your side. Nursing home injury victims generally recover more financial compensation when they have legal representation compared to those that do not hire a lawyer.

I appreciate all of your assistance. Thank you for everything.
_{– Amy B, Mount Joy, PA}

At the law offices of Schmidt Kramer, we have been helping individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and have successfully recovered more than $20,000,000.00 in compensation on behalf of our clients including a confidential recovery amount for the family of an 80 year old nursing home resident that passed away as a result of the nursing home failing to monitor changes in the resident’s condition and report it to the treating physician.

If you suspect your loved one has fallen victim to nursing home neglect or abuse, talk to our nursing home abuse lawyers today and learn more about your legal options.

For a free case review, call (717) 888-8888.

Do You Have a Case?

Nursing home residents have certain rights under federal and state law. A nursing home must protect and promote the rights of each resident as outlined in the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act and Pennsylvania’s Nursing Home Resident Rights. Residents in these facilities have the right to:

Dignity, respect and a comfortable living environment
Quality of care and treatment without discrimination
Freedom of choice to make independent decisions
The safeguard of his or her property and money
Be informed about the policies and procedures of the facility
Participate in his or her plan of care, including to refuse treatment
Be informed about his or her medical condition and overall health
Privacy in communications, including personal and medical records
Voice grievances without fear of retaliation
Be free from mental, physical, sexual abuse, exploitation and neglect

Residents may be able to take legal action when a nursing home or long-term care facility does not comply with these rights. A licensed Harrisburg nursing home abuse lawyer from our firm is ready to help.

If you are unsure or if you have some questions about a possible case that you need help finding answers to, we encourage you to call and speak to a lawyer at our firm today. Your initial call is free and if we determine that you have a case, there are no upfront fees if you hire us.

Complete our Free Case Review form today.

Holding Negligent Nursing Homes Accountable

More than one party could be held accountable for nursing home abuse or neglect. This could include the facility itself, administrators, doctors, nurses, caregivers and other staff members.

Establishing liability means showing that negligence played a role in your elderly loved one suffering harm. A facility may be found negligent if it hired inexperienced staff, failed to provide adequate training, or neglected to perform background checks on applicants for a history of anger issues or abusive actions. Nursing homes administrators could also be liable for cutting corners or cutting costs in an effort to save time and money.

A nurse, caregiver or other staff member may be found negligent for delivering substandard care if it leads to malnutrition, dehydration, injuries from falling, choking, bedsores and medication errors.

Under common-law rules, everyone owes a basic duty to his fellow citizens to behave in a reasonably cautious way to prevent accidental harm. The obligations of nursing homes and their employees go far beyond this. The facility accepts money to take care of people who are known to be unable to care for themselves. That sets the bar of responsibility very high indeed. Everyone employed by the nursing home—caregivers, medical aides, cooks, maintenance workers, and even administrators—are legally obliged to protect the well-being of residents.

But, of course, as a profit-seeking business, the nursing home’s owners have the incentive to maximize net income by cutting costs. There is always the drive to hire fewer people than are actually needed, and to hire less-qualified staff. Safety and sanitation purchases are delayed and facilities are allowed to fall into disrepair. All employees are urged to make do with less, while still convincing visitors that their relatives are getting top-notch care.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires any employee or administrator of a facility to report all types of nursing home abuse or neglect in accordance with the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA). The law requires that you report the abuse to local law enforcement in an emergency situation. For non-emergencies, you can contact:

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Local Ombudsman’s Office
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: Protecting Seniors

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

In many instances, it can be difficult to determine if your loved one is being neglected or abused until it is too late. However, there are often warning signs that observant family members and guardians can be on the lookout for to help minimize the chances of a nursing home resident becoming a victim.

With this in mind, some of the most common signs include:

Abnormally pale complexion
Bruises in a pattern that would suggest restraints
Excessive and sudden weight loss
Lice, fleas or dirt on the resident or in the resident’s room
Poor personal hygiene or other unattended health problems
Torn clothing or broken personal items
Unpleasant odors
Untreated bedsores, wounds, cuts, bruises or welts

Other indicators, include:

Caregivers allowing residents to wander off the premises
Pest infestations
A caregiver’s inability to explain a resident’s condition
Short staffing in important positions
A caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see the resident alone
Lack of proper heating or cooling in the nursing home
Sudden change in a resident’s medication

If you have noticed any of the above signs, contact our Harrisburg nursing home abuse lawyers for legal help. Our main office is located in Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, right down the street from the State Capitol.

No Upfront Fees. Ph: (717) 888-8888.

Nursing Home Abuse Cases Our Firm Handles

There are many types of abuse or neglect in nursing homes with different levels of severity. Our legal team at Schmidt Kramer has decades of experience handling different nursing home abuse cases, such as:

Physical Abuse

When a resident suffers bodily injury or physical trauma, such as hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, biting, pushing, shaking, grabbing or shoving. Physical abuse could also be restraining or confining a resident with restraints or using an object to cause harm.

Emotional/Verbal/Psychological Abuse

Using certain words or actions can cause a resident to become fearful, anxious, depressed or otherwise emotionally distressed. This type of psychological abuse could include:

Verbal insults
Profanity
Threatening violence

Intimidation tactics
Isolating residents from others

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any type of unwanted sexual activity that is forced on a resident. Examples include touching, groping or feeling someone without consent, intercourse, rape, coerced nudity, or watching or participating in sexually explicit photos or videos. Sexual abuse can cause a resident to suffer from bruising or lesions in the genital area. These acts are often committed while a resident incapacitated or mentally ill.

Financial Abuse

This type of abuse happens when a resident is intentionally exploited and manipulated into giving control of his or her finances, such as money and property. Examples include stealing money or personal documents, not allowing access to funds, forging documents to get funds, or the misuse of power of attorney for personal gain. Financial abuse can cause a resident lose his or her income and savings to help pay for continued care.

General Neglect

General neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility happens when a resident is not provided basic necessities, such as food, water, medications and shelter. Other examples include:

Allowing a resident to live unattended and in filth
Failing to treat bedsores and skin ulcers
Leaving residents unattended for extended periods of time
Ignoring a resident’s or family member’s complaints about staff or another resident.

If you suspect a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, it is in your best interest to notify the proper authorities and then consult with a Harrisburg nursing home abuse attorney for legal help.

Contact a Harrisburg Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious matter, one that should never even be committed. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of victims are abused or neglected and the problem is often missed due to the failure to see signs of nursing home abuse. The Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers at Schmidt Kramer have experience handling these cases – our attorneys have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws in Pennsylvania that are applicable to nursing home and elder abuse lawsuits, and we have a full team of support staff to help build a strong argument for your damages claim.

If you are unsure if you have a case or need some information about your rights, we encourage you to fill out our free online consultation form and let us investigate your claim. We’ve protected the rights of other Pennsylvania nursing home abuse victims for many years and welcome the opportunity to help you.

It’s free to talk to a lawyer about your potential case, there are no upfront fees if you decide to hire us and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.

Free Consultation. Ph: (717) 888-8888.

Free Case Review

No Upfront Fees

Testimonials

Dear Scott,
Hello there! I’m a little late to the game here, but I wanted to be certain I wrote to you. Oops—sorry for the typo! As you’ve probably gathered, I am writing you from a typewriter. Do you still use these in the office? Back on topic, I wanted to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your guidance and support throughout the entire legal process for my accident. Can you believe it’s been five years?? Your attention to detail, professionalism, and delicate handling of my case made an incredibly difficult time more manageable for me and my family. We’re forever grateful.
From the moment you stepped foot in that hospital room with me, I felt relieved to have someone in my corner like you and your team. You took the time not only to explain each legal step in a way that made sense but also to acknowledge the emotional weight of what I was going through. That delicate balance—handling the intricacies of my case with precision while also being sensitive to my well-being—is something I will always be grateful for. In many ways, the outcome of the case reflected your dedication, but what has stayed with me even more is how you treated me throughout the process—with patience, respect, and compassion. You listened to my concerns and reassured me in moments of uncertainty. And even now, I feel your compassion each year on my birthday when I receive a text from you!
Thank you, not just for the outcome, but for the way you handled each moment. You are an incredible lawyer, but more importantly, an incredible person, and I was fortunate to have you in my corner.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ricky D
Definitely were people of their word. Certainly helped me through my whole case
The legal team was very professional and met my needs I would highly recommend them
Monte cargile
Very great experience working with you guys continue the great service timely response communication well understand
jackie duffus
Schmidt Kramer is simply definition of hardworking, they are trustworthy and get best claim you could never think of.

Recent Results

$10,043,952.13 Personal Injury
Schmidt Kramer, P.C.partner Gerard C. Kramer won a personal injury action for $10,043,952.13 in Northumberland County on behalf of a volunteer firefighter who was the victim of Intentional Tort. The 50-year-old volunteer firefighter was seriously injured when a barn collapsed, causing a spinal injury which left him a paraplegic. The claim was brought against the arsonist who intentionally started the fire. It is believed that the verdict is the highest ever in Northumberland County.
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$4,034,000.00 Personal Injury
Yesterday a Judge in Union County (Lewisburg, PA) awarded a couple from New Berlin, Pennsylvania, over $4,000,000 because the husband was shot while turkey hunting.You might ask yourself, how does a turkey hunting accident end up with that type of verdict? In order to understand the verdict you would have to know our clients. They are good people who had their life wrecked. Plus, you would have to know the defendant, who should not have been hunting with a gun because he was prohibited after a previous criminal conviction.It is a good verdict, because the Judge was able to do two things with his decision. First, he communicated to two very good people that their losses were something that those of us on the outside could appreciate and value. Mike Hobbins (our client) is a 51 year old guy who lost his sight because a convicted felon --who should not have even possessed a gun-- went hunting illegally, and broke with impunity the most fundamental rule in hunting: identify your target before you pull the trigger. The Judge accepted the financial loss Mr. Hobbins' suffered, but listened closely to the evidence of less tangible losses. When Mike broke down on the stand, because his daughter would end up walking him down the aisle at her wedding, as opposed to how it was supposed to go, the Judge was listening. When Mike could not keep it together, because of how emasculating it was for him not to be able to provide financially for his family, the Judge was listening. It was facts like these that the Judge cited to support the $2,000,000 award for non-economic damages. Second, the Judge wanted to send a message. Union County is a hunting county. Many of the residents hunt there, and people from outside the area come to Union County to hunt. It was my impression, from the Judge's statements as he rendered his decision, that he wanted to send a message to the people in Union County to protect them in their sport. The rules in place to restrict people convicted of crimes not to have a gun are not to be broken. Hunting is serious and you have to identify your target before you shoot. When you turn your back on the rules that are set to provide safety in a sport, you risk being an example. Here, the $1,000,000 punitive damage award sends that message loud and clear.When it really comes down to brass tacks, the right action was taken against a Defendant who may never truly appreciate what kind of impact his reckless choices caused.At Schmidt Kramer, we are injury lawyers. That means we work with people who were hurt in car accidents, who were hurt by the neglect of nursing homes, or those that were seriously injured because of the reckless, thoughtless acts of others. If you or a loved one have been injured in Pennsylvania, we may be able to help. While the verdict yesterday is not one that is representative of every case we do, it does show that serious and dedicated representation can bring good results.Joe ChapmanJanuary 18, 2013
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$2,200,000.00 Auto Accidents
On Monday, January 6, 2014, Schmidt Kramer accident lawyer Scott Cooper obtained a verdict on behalf of his client who is the widow of a man who died in a fiery crash on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County. The awarded verdict of $2.2 million was in a nonjury proceeding before a federal judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. That verdict includes $100,000 in punitive damages assessed against the owner of the trucking company.Kamilah Claxton won summary judgment in November after the defendants, Sukhwinder Singh and the trucking company for which he worked, failed to file a brief in opposition to Claxton's motion, which was made in September. The verdict in Claxton v. Singh was issued after the court held a non-jury assessment of damages earlier this month."Mr. Sukhchan Singh, the employer, is liable on the basis of respondent superior, but was also grossly negligent in failing to maintain his vehicle in compliance with state and federal law, particularly with regard to having required safety inspections and correcting defects in its braking equipment," said U.S. District Judge William W. Caldwell of the Middle District of Pennsylvania in his opinion accompanying the verdict."He was also grossly negligent in entrusting his vehicle to Sukhwinder Singh, an inexperienced truck driver who had failed the written test and driving test multiple times before finally earning his commercial driving license," Caldwell said.
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$1,200,000.00 Personal Injury
A Dauphin County jury has awarded a $1.2 million verdict to the parents of a 5-year-old who had an anoxic brain injury and stopped breathing after he had a tonsillectomy.2012-06-26 10:00:00 AMDate of Verdict: June 19. 2012Court and Case No.: C.P. Dauphin County No. 2009-CV-14003-MMJudge: Scott EvansType of Action: Medical malpracticeInjuries: Anoxic brain injuryPlaintiffs Counsel: Terry S. Hyman, Schmidt Kramer, HarrisburgPlaintiffs Experts: Dr. Anna H. Messner, liability; Lucille Packer, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Palo Alto, Calif.; Terry P. Leslie, vocations and earning capacity, Lancaster; Dr. Hilary B. Berlin, pediatric psychiatry, Great Neck, N.Y.Defense Counsel: Andrew H. Foulkrod, Darlene K. King, Foulkrod Ellis, Camp Hill, PADefense Experts: James C. Reilly, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Wilmington, DEComment: A Dauphin County jury has awarded a $1.2 million verdict to the parents of a 5-year-old who had an anoxic brain injury and stopped breathing after he had a tonsillectomy.The entire verdict came against Dr. Andrew M. Shapiro, the doctor who plaintiffs Reginald Graham and Tykeisha Metz alleged chose to have the boy monitored at a pediatric ward. The plaintiffs argued Shapiro failed to tell nurses caring for the baby about, and how to care for, the boy's enhanced risk for respiratory failure.The jury came back on June 19 and awarded Reginald Graham and Tykeisha Mets $500,000 in non-economic damages and $686,170 in loss of future earning capacity, according to the plaintiffs counsel.According to the statement, the baby's mother brought him to Shapiro because she was "'afraid that he might stop breathing during his sleep,'" the plaintiffs' pretrial statement said. Shapiro performed a sleep study and observed the baby's Apnea Hypopnea Index to be 43 — four times higher than what's considered severe. A tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy were performed.According to the plaintiffs, the baby's sleep study results put him at an increased risk for post-operative respiratory complications. Despite this, they argued in the statement, Shapiro ordered the pediatric nurses at the Harrisburg Hospital general pediatric ward to observe the boy as they would any other patients — about once every four hours.The pretrial statement said that one in four children who have an AHI in the 40s and oxygen desaturation below 80 have some type of respiratory problem. The younger the child, the greater the risk of a respiratory problem, the statement said.According to the statement, Shapiro took off the child's pulse oximeter, the finger-mounted device used to measure blood oxygen, and ordered a heart and respiratory rate monitor. The child was 11 months old at the time.The plaintiffs pled that the baby was last seen at 4 a.m. There was no record of his oxygen saturation for the next hour and 45 minutes. He stopped breathing a 6:40 a.m., and his brain was without oxygen long enough to cause demonstrable injury on an MRI."Immediately prior to his surgery, [the child] was a normal child, who could say mama, eat finger foods, and was just on the verge of walking," the statement said. "After his code, [he] was like a newborn. He could not lift his head or sit up. He could not talk. He could not move."In his pretrial statement, Shapiro argued that he recognized the child's pre-operative sleep study showed he was driven to breath by decreased blood oxygen saturation, which he said was typical in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.He argued the American Academy of Otolaryngology dictates that admission to the intensive care unit is not the standard of care. In the statement, he said nurses did not observe signs of respiratory distress. No alarms sounded until the child arrested, the statement said.He said the baby likely arrested as a result of hypoglycemia and/or an acute aspiration, which he argued would not have been identified by blood oxygen saturation.— Ben Present, of the Law Weekly
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$1,024,040.80 Auto Accidents
Scott Cooper settled a wrongful death case on behalf of the widow of a police office who was killed in a car accident in the line of duty for $1,024,040.80. The claim against the other driver was amicably resolved before suit was filed for the entire available policy limits for the other driver. The case took place in Adams County, PA.
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Nursing Home Negligence & Abuse Lawyers