New Jersey Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Placing a loved one in a nursing home involves trust. You trust that they will receive competent, compassionate care. Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes broken through neglect or outright abuse.

Discovering that your family member suffered harm in a place meant for their safety is infuriating and heartbreaking. You need answers, accountability, and action. Protecting your loved one's rights and seeking justice is possible.

If you suspect abuse or neglect has harmed your loved one in a New Jersey nursing facility, don't wait. Call the Reinartz Law Firm at (201) 289-8614 today. A New Jersey nursing home abuse lawyer can help you figure out the next steps.

Why Choose The Reinartz Law Firm?

When you're facing a situation as serious as nursing home abuse, you need a legal team that knows how to handle these challenging cases. At the Reinartz Law Firm, our New Jersey personal injury lawyers bring dedicated experience to the table. Our firm is led by Richard A. Reinartz, a trial attorney licensed in New Jersey since 2001. Richard possesses a distinct perspective, having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex, high-stakes lawsuits for over twenty years. This background allows us to anticipate defense strategies and build strong cases for our clients.

Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured significant results for clients, including a landmark $16 million wrongful death settlement for multiple claimants in a COVID-related nursing home class action against the State of New Jersey. We've also achieved an $8.75 million medical malpractice class settlement and numerous substantial settlements in other personal injury matters. Clients consistently praise our professionalism, clear communication, swift action, and unwavering commitment to achieving positive outcomes. We take on tough cases, including those other firms might shy away from.

Our main office is conveniently located in Hackensack, New Jersey, at 21 Main Street, Suite 205, Hackensack, NJ 07601. This central Bergen County location makes us accessible to clients throughout northern New Jersey. Richard Reinartz's inclusion in Super Lawyers—an honor given to only 2.5% of NJ attorneys—and his appointment by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District V-A Ethics Committee highlight our commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice. We focus on ensuring you feel supported and informed every step of the way.

Figuring Out Compensation in Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Several factors contribute to the potential compensation amount. We look at the tangible, calculable losses, called economic damages. These include:

• Medical expenses (past and future treatment related to the abuse/neglect)
• Costs of moving to a new facility
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost income (if applicable, though less common for residents)
• Other out-of-pocket expenses directly caused by the incident

Then there are the intangible impacts, known as non-economic damages. These are harder to quantify but represent the real human cost of the abuse:

• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress)
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Humiliation

In rare cases involving particularly reckless or malicious conduct by the facility or its staff, punitive damages might be pursued. These aren't meant to compensate the victim directly but rather to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.9 et seq.) places specific requirements and caps on punitive damages.

Calculating the total potential damages requires a thorough investigation of the specific facts, the severity of the harm, the long-term effects on the resident, and the conduct of the nursing home. We meticulously gather evidence, consult with medical professionals if needed, and evaluate precedent to determine a fair value for your claim.

Where Nursing Home Abuse Happens in New Jersey

While abuse and neglect can occur in any facility, certain patterns and locations have unfortunately drawn attention in New Jersey. Statewide data indicates serious issues. In 2022 alone, 456 resident-to-resident assaults were documented – a staggering increase from the previous year. Experts often link such increases to chronic understaffing, a problem where facilities admit residents needing complex care without having enough trained personnel.

Specific examples highlight the problem. South Jersey Extended Care in Bridgeton (Cumberland County), located near the Cohansey River, gained notoriety as one of the state's worst-rated homes. Reports detailed daily staffing shortages, unsanitary conditions like brown debris in toilets, improper confinement of residents, and neglect leading to hospitalizations. Disturbingly, this facility was part of a network managing ten NJ homes that generated substantial profits despite substandard care allegations. 

Other documented incidents include a CNA assaulting a resident at Boonton Care Center (Morris County) near Rockaway Valley Road. Facilities associated with the same network as SJEC in Camden and Gloucester Counties have also faced scrutiny.

These aren't isolated incidents but examples pointing to broader systemic issues. New Jersey has ranked poorly (as low as 47th nationally in some studies) regarding elder abuse protections, citing weak financial exploitation laws and limited funding for oversight bodies like the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. These factors can create an environment where neglect and abuse are more likely to occur and go unchecked.

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Recognizing nursing home abuse requires knowing what forms it can take. It's not always obvious physical harm.

Common types of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Physical Abuse: Intentional use of force causing pain or injury. This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, shaking, or using restraints improperly.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Inflicting mental pain or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Examples are yelling, insulting, threatening, intimidating, humiliating, or isolating a resident.
• Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact, including unwanted touching, sexual harassment, or assault.
• Financial Exploitation: Illegally or improperly using a resident's funds, property, or assets. This might involve forging checks, stealing cash or belongings, or coercing a resident into changing their will.
• Neglect: Failure by caregivers to provide necessary care, goods, or services. This is often the most common form and includes withholding food, water, medication, hygiene, or assistance with daily living activities.
• Abandonment: The desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care.

The consequences of this mistreatment can be severe, leading to various injuries:

• Bedsores (pressure ulcers)
• Falls and fractures
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Bruises, cuts, or welts
• Infections
• Medication errors
• Withdrawal, depression, or anxiety
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor hygiene

New Jersey law provides specific protections for nursing home residents. The New Jersey Nursing Home Responsibilities and Rights of Residents Act (N.J.S.A. 30:13-1 et seq.) outlines the rights residents are entitled to, including the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and restraints, the right to privacy, and the right to manage their own financial affairs. Violations of these rights can form the basis of a legal claim.

Fighting Back Against Nursing Homes and Their Insurers

Pursuing a nursing home abuse claim means you'll likely be dealing with the facility's administration and its insurance company. Their primary goal is often to minimize or deny liability and reduce any potential payout. Expect them to employ various tactics.

Common strategies facilities and insurers use include:

• Denial: Simply denying that any abuse or neglect occurred.
• Blaming the Victim: Suggesting the resident's injuries were due to their own frailty, pre-existing conditions, or accidental self-harm.
• Downplaying Injuries: Arguing that the harm wasn't serious or wasn't directly caused by their actions or inaction.
• Record Manipulation: Claiming records are missing or altering documentation to cover up negligence (like the missing care plans noted at SJEC).
• Intimidation: Discouraging families from pursuing claims or making them feel guilty.
• Lowball Settlement Offers: Offering a quick but inadequate settlement hoping you'll accept it out of desperation or lack of knowledge about the case's true worth.
• Delay Tactics: Dragging out the process to frustrate you and wear down your resolve.

Going up against these tactics alone is difficult and emotionally draining. This is where the Reinartz Law Firm steps in. We know these strategies well because we've faced them before. We fight back by:

• Conducting Thorough Investigations: We gather all available evidence, including medical records, facility logs, staffing records, witness statements, and expert opinions.
• Leveraging Legal Knowledge: We use New Jersey's specific laws and regulations governing nursing homes (like N.J.S.A. 30:13-1 et seq.) to build your case.
• Documenting Everything: We meticulously document the resident's injuries, the impact on their life, and all related costs.
• Negotiating Aggressively: We present a strong, evidence-backed demand to the insurance company and negotiate firmly for fair compensation.
• Litigating When Necessary: We are experienced trial attorneys prepared to take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached. We won't let insurers bully you into accepting less than you deserve.

Our experience, particularly with complex cases like the $16 million COVID-related class action, shows our capability to handle formidable opponents and achieve meaningful results.

Strengthening Your Case After Suspecting Abuse

Once you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, and after ensuring your loved one is safe and initial reports are made (like to the NJ Ombudsman or Department of Health), there are still important steps you can take to help build a strong potential legal case.

Focus on these actions:

• Document Everything Meticulously: Keep a detailed log. Note dates, times, specific incidents, observed injuries (with photos if appropriate and permissible), changes in behavior or condition, and names of staff members involved or witnesses present. Be objective and factual.
• Preserve All Evidence: Keep copies of any communication with the facility (letters, emails), photographs, videos, and any physical evidence related to the suspected abuse or neglect.
• Follow Medical Advice Strictly: Ensure your loved one attends all follow-up medical appointments related to their injuries. Adhering to treatment plans demonstrates the severity of the harm and is necessary for recovery.
• Keep All Bills and Receipts: Maintain organized records of all expenses incurred due to the abuse or neglect, including medical bills, therapy costs, transportation, and costs associated with moving facilities if necessary.
• Obtain Official Reports: Get copies of any reports filed with the police, the New Jersey Department of Health, or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman's office. These official documents can be valuable evidence.
• Avoid Discussing the Case with Facility Representatives or Insurers: Do not give recorded statements or sign any documents presented by the nursing home or their insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. They may try to get you to say something that undermines your claim.
• Be Careful with Social Media: Refrain from posting details about the situation, your loved one's condition, or any potential legal action online. Insurance companies often monitor social media for information they can use against claimants.

Taking these steps helps create a clear and verifiable record of events and damages, which is fundamental when pursuing accountability.

Secure Justice with The Reinartz Law Firm

Finding out a trusted facility harmed your family member feels like a profound betrayal. You deserve clear guidance and strong advocacy during this incredibly difficult time. Don't let nursing homes or their insurers dictate the outcome when negligence or abuse has occurred.

Take the first step towards accountability. Contact the Reinartz Law Firm today for a confidential consultation. Let us help you navigate this process and fight for a just resolution. Call us now at (201) 289-8614.

The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office

Address: 21 Main St Suite 205
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (201) 289-8614

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Testimonial

HEATHER F.

"Richard guided me in my suit and made me feel confident in my decisions during my entire case. He made recommendations that I otherwise, would not have known about."