Pennsylvania Nursing Home Neglect: Protecting Seniors

In 2011, the oldest Baby Boomers (defined by those born between 1946 and 1964) began celebrating their 65th birthdays and each day through 2029, at least 10,000 more will cross that threshold nationwide.¹ As this demographic trend plays out, there will be an increased demand for services providing care for the elderly. Pennsylvania now has 2.2 million citizens age 65 and older. Logically, as more Pennsylvania residents enter retirement homes, the population of individuals subject to potential nursing home neglect increases.

In Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court has recognized the necessity to protect our family members who we entrust to the care of nursing homes and like facilities. In Scampone v. Highland Park Care Center, LLC, 57 A.3d 583 (Pa. 2012), the Pennsylvania Supreme Courtrecognized the need to liberally expand the duty of care that retirement communities and nursing homes owe to their residents. While the Supreme Court did not delineate specific duties of care applicable to retirement and nursing facilities, they held that general theories of negligence were readily applicable to said facilities. With that, the Supreme Court left the door open to expand protection for residents; a safety net not previously available before this 2012 decision. However, the broad language of the Supreme Court did not clarify what counts as negligence and what does not – relying on the attorneys of the neglected and injured to zealously make their case.

Every bedsore is avoidable.

Anonymous

Luckily, the attorneys of SMB have litigated hundreds of nursing home neglect cases. Our experience has attuned us to the avoidable mistakes and compensable carelessness of nursing homes and their staff. We understand why these mistakes happen and why they should be avoided. While the law surrounding nursing home neglect is ambiguous, our skill and knowledge set us apart. When you believe your loved one has been injured due to nursing home neglect, trust SMB for your litigation needs.


  1. The Need for Long-Term Care Continues to Grow, Long-Term Care Trends and Statistics,  (last visited: Sep. 14, 2018)

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