
Free consultation with an injury lawyer. Call 412-802-6666, text 412-855-5511, or send us a message.
Families trust nursing homes and assisted living facilities to care for the people they love most. When that trust is broken by neglect or abuse, we hold the facility accountable. Flaherty Fardo takes great pride in its work to stop elder neglect in Allegheny County and across Western Pennsylvania.
Warning Signs of Neglect or Abuse
- Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
- Falls, fractures, or unexplained bruises, cuts or burns
- Sudden weight loss or dehydration
- Unexplained infections or bleeding
- Over-medication or medication errors
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior, or fear of staff
- Staff who will not let you be alone with your loved one
- Missing belongings or unexplained bank withdrawals
Types of Nursing Home Cases
- Neglect: failing to provide food, water, hygiene, supervision, medication or medical care.
- Physical abuse: hitting, rough handling or improper restraints.
- Emotional abuse: threats, humiliation or isolation.
- Financial exploitation: stolen money, property or identity.
Why It Happens
Federal and state law require nursing homes to assess each resident, develop a care plan, and have enough trained staff to carry it out. Many facilities fall short, most often because of understaffing. When residents are not turned, fed, supervised or monitored as their care plan requires, preventable injuries follow.
What to Do Now
- Get your loved one safe and medical care if needed. In an emergency, call 911.
- Document everything: photographs, dates, names and what you were told.
- Report it in writing to the facility, and to the local Area Agency on Aging or the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Call police if a crime may have occurred.
- Request the records, including the chart, care plan and incident reports.
- Read before signing. Admission paperwork often includes an arbitration agreement that can limit your right to go to court. Talk to a lawyer before signing anything new.
Pennsylvania Rules You Should Know
- Two-year deadline. Most claims must be filed within two years. If a resident has died, a wrongful death claim is generally due within two years of the death, and a survival claim may be due sooner. Do not wait.
- Medical evidence matters. Many nursing home claims are professional negligence claims that require a Certificate of Merit and expert testimony.
- Medicare and Medicaid liens may need to be repaid from a recovery. We negotiate them to protect the family.
Related Cases We Handle
Talk to an Injury Lawyer
Every case starts with a conversation with a lawyer. We will tell you honestly whether you have a case and what it may be worth. Our injury cases are handled by Noah Fardo and Bill Rogel, working with Shawn Flaherty.
Call 412-802-6666 or email Managing Partner Noah Fardo at npf@pghfirm.com. Prefer to text? Use 412-855-5511. More answers: Personal Injury FAQ.
There is no fee unless we obtain a monetary recovery. We advance the case costs and are reimbursed from the client’s share only if we are successful. General information only, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.











