Michigan Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Protecting Michigan's Most Vulnerable Residents
When families place a loved one in a nursing home, assisted living community, or adult foster care home, they trust that the facility will provide safe, compassionate, and appropriate care.
Sadly, that trust is sometimes broken.
Residents who depend on others for daily care can suffer serious harm when facilities are understaffed, poorly managed, or fail to follow accepted standards of care. Abuse and neglect can result in painful injuries, declining health, emotional trauma, and, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death.
At Hanley & Hodek PLC, we represent families throughout Michigan whose loved ones have been injured because of nursing home abuse or neglect. We understand that these cases are about more than compensation—they are about protecting vulnerable people and holding negligent facilities accountable.
Free Consultation
If you suspect that a loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult foster care home, do not wait to ask questions.
Contact Hanley & Hodek today for a free consultation.
For qualifying personal injury matters, there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when a resident suffers harm because of intentional misconduct or the failure to provide appropriate care.
Abuse may be:
Physical
Emotional
Psychological
Sexual
Financial
Neglect can be just as devastating and often involves a failure to provide basic care, supervision, nutrition, hydration, medication, or medical attention.
Whether the harm results from abuse, neglect, or systemic failures within the facility, residents deserve dignity, safety, and proper care.
Common Signs of Abuse or Neglect
Many residents cannot tell family members what has happened because of dementia, cognitive impairment, fear, or physical limitations.
Warning signs may include:
Unexplained bruises
Broken bones
Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
Frequent falls
Rapid weight loss
Dehydration
Poor hygiene
Medication errors
Repeated infections
Sudden behavioral changes
Withdrawal or fear around staff
Wandering or elopement
Unexplained financial transactions
If something does not seem right, trust your instincts and ask questions.
Facilities We Handle Cases Against
We represent families whose loved ones have been injured in:
Skilled nursing facilities
Nursing homes
Assisted living communities
Adult foster care homes
Memory care units
Rehabilitation centers
Long-term care facilities
Every facility has a legal responsibility to provide appropriate care based on each resident's needs.
Common Nursing Home Negligence Cases
Our firm investigates cases involving:
Falls
Bedsores
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Medication mistakes
Failure to monitor residents
Delayed medical treatment
Resident-on-resident assaults
Wandering and elopement
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Financial exploitation
Choking incidents
Preventable infections
Many of these injuries can be prevented with proper staffing, supervision, training, and adherence to established care standards.
Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores) May Be Preventable
Pressure ulcers are one of the clearest signs that appropriate care may not have been provided.
Residents who are unable to reposition themselves should receive regular assistance to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas of the body. Without appropriate care, bedsores can progress into deep wounds, severe infections, hospitalization, and life-threatening complications.
Not every bedsore results from negligence, but they should always be carefully evaluated.
Wandering and Elopement
Residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia may attempt to leave a facility if they are not properly supervised.
When appropriate safeguards are not in place, wandering incidents can result in:
Falls
Exposure to extreme weather
Motor vehicle collisions
Drowning
Serious injury
Death
Facilities have a responsibility to assess residents' needs and implement reasonable safety measures based on known risks.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may include:
Medical expenses
Hospitalization
Rehabilitation
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases
Other damages permitted under Michigan law
Every claim is unique, and recoverable damages depend on the evidence and applicable law.
We Thoroughly Investigate Every Case
Our investigation may include:
Reviewing medical records
Obtaining facility care plans
Examining staffing records
Reviewing state inspection reports
Interviewing witnesses
Consulting physicians and nursing experts
Reviewing surveillance footage, when available
Evaluating applicable regulations and standards of care
A careful investigation often reveals problems that are not immediately apparent to families.
Insurance Companies and Facilities Often Deny Responsibility
Facilities and their insurers may argue that injuries resulted from:
The resident's age
Existing medical conditions
Alzheimer's disease
Dementia
Falls that "could not have been prevented"
Unavoidable medical complications
While some injuries are unavoidable, others may result from inadequate staffing, poor training, failure to follow care plans, or neglect.
Our attorneys carefully review the evidence to determine whether a facility met its legal obligations.
Why Families Choose Hanley & Hodek
Families trust Hanley & Hodek because we provide:
Compassionate representation
Direct communication with experienced attorneys
Thorough investigations
Experience handling complex injury cases
Knowledge of Michigan nursing home regulations
Respectful advocacy for vulnerable residents and their families
We understand the emotional difficulty of these cases and work to make the legal process as straightforward as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I suspect abuse?
If your loved one is in immediate danger, ensure their safety first. Report your concerns to the appropriate authorities when necessary and seek legal advice regarding your options.
Can a facility be responsible even if my loved one has dementia?
Yes. Many residents have cognitive impairments that require increased supervision and individualized care planning. Each case depends on its specific facts.
Are falls always negligence?
No. Some falls cannot be prevented. However, repeated falls, inadequate supervision, or failure to follow an appropriate care plan may indicate negligence in some situations.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
For qualifying personal injury matters, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a Michigan nursing home, assisted living community, or adult foster care home, you deserve answers.
Contact Hanley & Hodek PLC today for a free consultation.
We'll review your concerns, explain your legal options, and help you determine the best course of action for your family.
No attorney fee unless we recover compensation for qualifying personal injury matters.