Protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of older adults

Families trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide safe, attentive care for their loved ones. When a facility or caregiver fails to meet that responsibility, residents can suffer serious injuries, emotional distress, financial exploitation, or even wrongful death.

If you suspect that a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, you do not have to navigate the situation alone. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC (RHHK) helps families in Tacoma and throughout Washington understand their legal options and pursue accountability when negligent or abusive care causes harm.

Our attorneys bring decades of personal injury experience to complex cases involving vulnerable adults. Contact RHHK at 253-383-5388 to discuss your concerns and learn whether you may have a claim.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse occurs when a resident experiences harmful treatment, mistreatment, exploitation, or neglect in a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family home, or another care setting. Abuse may be intentional, while neglect can occur when caregivers or facilities fail to provide the care a resident needs.

Mistreatment can take several forms, including:

• Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, or using force that causes injury or pain.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: Threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or isolating a resident.
• Sexual abuse: Any nonconsensual sexual contact or conduct involving a resident.
• Financial exploitation: Misusing a resident’s money, property, benefits, or financial information.
• Neglect: Failing to provide appropriate food, hydration, hygiene, supervision, medication, or medical attention.

Neglect can also involve failing to reposition a resident who cannot move independently, monitor changes in their condition, or respond to a fall or other medical emergency. These failures may lead to preventable injuries and serious health complications.

Not every injury automatically proves abuse or negligence. A legal review can help determine whether a caregiver, facility, or another responsible party failed to meet an applicable duty of care.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Older adults may be unable or afraid to explain what is happening to them. Some may have difficulty communicating because of a medical condition, cognitive impairment, or fear of retaliation. Family members and visitors can play an important role in recognizing possible warning signs.

Look for changes such as:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones.
• Repeated falls or injuries without a clear explanation.
• Bedsores or pressure injuries, particularly when they worsen or are not treated.
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, or poor personal hygiene.
• Untreated medical conditions, missed medications, or delayed medical attention.
• Sudden withdrawal, anxiety, fearfulness, or changes in behavior around particular caregivers.
• A resident appearing unusually sedated, confused, or distressed.
• Missing money, unexplained financial transactions, or changes to financial documents.
• A care facility that gives inconsistent explanations or refuses to discuss concerns about a resident’s condition.

One warning sign alone may not establish abuse. However, unexplained injuries, repeated incidents, or a noticeable decline in a resident’s health deserve attention.

If you believe your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. Suspected abuse or neglect can also be reported to the appropriate Washington State agency.

What Causes Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect can occur when a facility or caregiver fails to provide appropriate care. Potential contributing factors include inadequate staffing, insufficient training, poor supervision, unsafe premises, and failures to follow a resident’s care plan.

Examples of potentially negligent care include:

Failure to Prevent or Treat Bedsores

Residents who spend long periods in bed or a wheelchair may be at risk of developing pressure injuries. Care plans may require repositioning, skin assessments, appropriate nutrition, and timely medical treatment. When necessary preventive measures or treatment are omitted, pressure injuries can become severe.

Falls and Inadequate Supervision

Some residents need assistance walking, transferring between a bed and wheelchair, or using the bathroom safely. When a facility fails to address known fall risks or provide appropriate assistance, a resident may suffer fractures, head injuries, or other harm.

Medication Errors

Giving the wrong medication or dosage, missing prescribed doses, or failing to monitor a resident for adverse effects can put their health at risk. Medication-related harm may warrant investigation into the actions of individual caregivers and the facility’s procedures.

Poor Hygiene, Nutrition, or Hydration

Residents may depend on caregivers for bathing, changing clothes, eating, and drinking. Failure to provide appropriate assistance can lead to infections, dehydration, malnutrition, and other preventable complications.

Failure to Recognize Medical Problems

Caregivers should respond appropriately when a resident shows signs of illness or injury. Delayed assessment, failure to notify medical professionals, or failure to arrange necessary treatment may worsen a resident’s condition.

Depending on the facts, a claim involving inadequate medical care may also overlap with issues addressed by RHHK’s medical malpractice attorneys.

Who May Be Responsible for Nursing Home Abuse?

Responsibility depends on the circumstances of the case. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• Nursing home or assisted living facility operators: A facility may be responsible for its own failures, including inadequate policies, staffing, training, supervision, or safety practices.
• Individual caregivers or employees: A caregiver may be responsible for abusive conduct or negligent care.
• Third-party care providers: Contractors or outside providers may be responsible for harm caused by their own actions or omissions.
• Other responsible individuals or organizations: Depending on the facts, additional parties may have contributed to the resident’s injuries.

A facility’s responsibility is not automatic simply because an injury occurred there. Establishing liability requires examining the applicable legal duties, the conduct involved, the connection to the injury, and the available evidence.

RHHK can review the circumstances and help identify potential claims. Families can also learn more about related issues on our nursing home liability page.

Compensation in a Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case

When abuse or neglect causes harm, a civil claim may allow a resident or an eligible representative to seek compensation for losses supported by the evidence and applicable law.

Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses related to the injury or neglect.
• Costs of necessary rehabilitation, therapy, or additional care.
• Expenses associated with relocating to a safer care facility.
• Physical pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress and other legally recognized non-economic harm.
• Other losses that are legally recoverable and supported by the facts.

In cases involving a resident’s death, eligible family members or representatives may have additional legal options. RHHK also handles wrongful death claims.

The types and amount of compensation available depend on the facts of the case, the applicable law, and the evidence establishing the losses.

How RHHK Handles Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Taking action can feel overwhelming when you are already worried about a loved one’s safety. RHHK works with clients to evaluate the circumstances, explain potential legal options, and determine an appropriate path forward.

1. Discuss Your Concerns With Our Team

The first step is to explain what happened, what you have observed, and what you know about the resident’s care. RHHK can discuss whether the circumstances may support a legal claim and what additional information may be needed.

2. Gather Relevant Records and Evidence

Depending on the case, evidence may include medical records, photographs of injuries, care plans, medication records, incident reports, facility communications, witness statements, and other documentation. The specific evidence needed will depend on the allegations and the issues in dispute.

3. Evaluate Responsibility and Damages

Our attorneys assess the available evidence to determine which parties may be responsible and what losses may be recoverable. This process may involve reviewing the resident’s medical condition before and after the incident and evaluating whether the care provided met applicable requirements.

4. Pursue a Resolution

When appropriate, RHHK may pursue settlement negotiations with the responsible parties or their insurers. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, litigation may be considered. The process and potential outcome depend on the individual case, and no particular result can be guaranteed.

How to Report Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Washington

Reporting suspected abuse can help protect your loved one and may help authorities identify unsafe care practices.

If a resident is in immediate danger, call 911.

For suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, Washington State offers reporting options through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS):

• Adult Protective Services: Call 1-877-734-6277 to report concerns involving a vulnerable adult.
• Complaint Resolution Unit: Call 1-800-562-6078 to report concerns involving a nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family home, or other covered care setting.
• Online reporting and additional information: Visit the official DSHS page for reporting concerns involving vulnerable adults.

You do not need to establish that abuse occurred before making a good-faith report of a concern. Reporting suspected mistreatment and pursuing a civil claim are separate processes. A report to the state does not replace the need to consider any applicable legal deadlines.

How Long Do You Have to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim in Washington?

The deadline for filing a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit depends on the facts and legal basis of the claim. Some cases may involve general personal injury deadlines, while others may involve professional negligence or different legal issues that affect the time available to file.

Washington law includes specific rules for certain professional negligence claims, and the deadline may depend on when the injury occurred, when it was discovered, and other legally relevant circumstances. Exceptions and additional requirements may also apply.

Because missing a deadline can affect your ability to pursue a claim, it is important to seek legal advice promptly. Do not assume that every nursing home abuse case has the same filing deadline or that you have a particular amount of time without having the facts reviewed by an attorney.

Why Choose Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC?

For decades, Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC has represented injured people and families throughout Washington. Our attorneys understand that cases involving nursing home abuse are about more than financial losses. They involve the safety, dignity, and well-being of people who depend on others for care.

We approach each case with attention to the facts, the harm suffered, and the options available under the law. Our goal is to help clients understand their rights and pursue accountability when the evidence supports a claim.

RHHK has obtained results in nursing home negligence cases, including:

• $490,000: Recovery in a nursing home negligence claim involving a client who developed pressure sores that were not properly treated at an adult family home.
• $362,500: Recovery involving an elderly client who died as a result of nursing home facility negligence.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in another case. Every matter depends on its own facts and circumstances.

Speak With Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Tacoma

If you suspect that a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family home, taking action may help protect their well-being and clarify your legal options.

Contact Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC to discuss your concerns. Our team can review the information you share and explain potential next steps.

Call RHHK at 253-383-5388 to discuss your situation.

You can also contact our office online to request a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse

Who is most vulnerable to nursing home abuse?

Residents who depend on others for daily activities, have limited mobility, experience cognitive impairment, or have difficulty communicating may face additional barriers to recognizing or reporting mistreatment. However, abuse and neglect can affect any resident.

What should I do if I suspect my loved one is being abused?

If there is immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, consider speaking with your loved one privately if it is safe to do so, documenting your concerns, seeking medical attention when needed, and reporting suspected mistreatment to the appropriate state agency. You can also contact an attorney to discuss possible legal options.

What evidence can help support a nursing home abuse claim?

Potential evidence includes medical records, photographs, care plans, medication records, incident reports, written communications, witness statements, and documentation of changes in a resident’s health or behavior. The evidence needed will depend on the circumstances.

Can a nursing home be held responsible for neglect?

A facility may be held legally responsible when the evidence establishes a recognized basis for liability, such as its own negligent practices or legally attributable conduct by its staff. The outcome depends on the applicable law and the facts of the case.

How much does it cost to pursue a nursing home abuse claim?

The costs and fee arrangements depend on the attorney and the case. Contact RHHK to discuss the available consultation and fee arrangements before deciding how to proceed.

How long do I have to file a claim?

The deadline depends on the type of claim and the circumstances. Different rules may apply to personal injury, professional negligence, and other claims. Speak with an attorney promptly to have the applicable deadline evaluated.

Can I report suspected abuse without proof?

You can report a good-faith concern even if you do not have proof that abuse occurred. State authorities can assess the information and determine what steps are appropriate. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

What if my loved one died because of suspected nursing home neglect?

Depending on the circumstances, an eligible family member or representative may be able to pursue a wrongful death or related claim. These cases involve specific legal requirements, so it is important to seek advice based on the facts.