Houston Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
We are dedicated to helping those who have been injured or affected by a catastrophic injury. You may contact us 24/7 at (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation or to schedule an appointment with us.
Nursing homes must provide safety and dignity, not neglect or mistreatment. If a facility fails to protect your loved one, call (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation.
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When Do You Need a Houston Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?
Houston nursing homes have a duty to provide safe living conditions, proper medical treatment, and a basic level of dignity. Failure to meet these standards leads to harm—sometimes without residents being able to speak up for themselves.
Certain warning signs suggest the need for a Houston nursing home abuse lawyer:
- Unexplained injuries. Staff dismiss concerns about bruises, broken bones, or bedsores without offering a reasonable explanation.
- Medication problems. Prescriptions are missed, incorrect dosages are given, or sedatives are used to keep residents quiet.
- Malnutrition or dehydration. A resident loses weight rapidly, appears weak, or is frequently thirsty.
- Emotional withdrawal. Fearful, anxious, or reticent behavior around staff members points to possible mistreatment.
- Financial warning signs. Bank withdrawals, missing valuables, or sudden changes to financial documents raise concerns about exploitation.
Family members often sense a problem before direct evidence appears. A Houston nursing home abuse attorney can investigate facilities across Harris County, from major nursing homes in the Texas Medical Center to smaller facilities in areas like Memorial and Bellaire. Facilities that fail residents should not be left to continue their harmful practices.
If you suspect your loved one is suffering any abuse in their nursing home, contact our Houston nursing home negligence attorneys online or call (832) 690-7000. Your loved one’s safety and well-being are our top priorities.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse goes beyond occasional neglect or staff errors—it is a widespread issue affecting vulnerable residents across the country. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines nursing home abuse as physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm, as well as neglect by caregivers or facilities.
Reports show that 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the U.S. experience some form of abuse. In Texas, elder abuse cases reach 5,000 per month, with Houston ranking second in the state for the highest number of investigations. The National Council on Aging estimates that only 1 in 20 cases of elder physical abuse is ever reported.
Abuse in nursing homes often comes from two sources: individual misconduct or systemic failures. Staff members may exploit, harm, or neglect residents, but facilities can also be responsible for hiring unqualified workers, ignoring safety risks, or cutting essential services to save money.
For example:
- Staff may administer sedatives to a resident with dementia, not for medical reasons, but to keep them quiet and manageable.
- Staff in an understaffed facility may neglect to supervise residents, which leads to falls or untreated health conditions.
- Staff may misuse a resident’s credit card or pressure them into signing over assets.
- Workers stretched too thin or failing to prioritize certain patients may ignore a resident calling for assistance.
Families place trust in these facilities, expecting them to provide the dignity and security their loved ones need. That trust disappears when residents suffer mistreatment, and many never get the chance to speak out.
What Can a Houston Nursing Home Attorney Help You Recover?
Negligence in a nursing home setting creates far-reaching harm, disrupting families and forcing them to find solutions they never should have needed. Residents deserve proper treatment, dignity, and security, but substandard care results in compounding hardships.
A Houston nursing home lawyer can help recover:
- Medical expenses—emergency care, ongoing treatment, and specialized services.
- Pain and suffering—the toll of neglect, from physical injuries to emotional distress.
- Funeral and burial costs—when mistreatment leads to a wrongful death.
- Punitive damages—in cases of reckless or intentional harm.
- Relocation costs—moving a loved one to a safer environment.
- Financial exploitation—recovering lost money due to fraud or theft.
Nursing homes and their insurers don’t step up voluntarily. Studies show that working with a Houston nursing home abuse lawyer increases the likelihood of securing full compensation. A strong case forces accountability and ensures families aren’t left covering the costs of someone else’s negligence.
Houston has one of the highest rates of elder abuse investigations in Texas. Concerns about a loved one’s treatment should never be dismissed. If you suspect neglect at a facility in The Woodlands, Pasadena, Sugar Land, or inside Houston city limits, contact a Houston nursing home neglect lawyer at (832) 690-7000.
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What Kind of Injuries Result from Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse?
Injuries in nursing homes are often traced back to neglect, inadequate supervision, or outright mistreatment. While some are physical and immediately noticeable, others—like emotional harm or financial exploitation—are harder to detect but just as damaging.
Physical Injuries from Neglect and Abuse
- Falls and broken bones. Residents with mobility issues need assistance, and without it, they face serious risks like fractured hips or head injuries.
- Bedsores and infections. Staff who fail to reposition immobile residents cause pressure ulcers to develop. Untreated wounds or poor hygiene create life-threatening infections.
- Medication mistakes. Staff who miscalculate doses, skip medications, or misuse sedatives endanger residents’ health.
- Malnutrition and dehydration. Poor oversight leads to weight loss, weakness, and worsened medical conditions.
Non-Physical Harm in Nursing Homes
- Emotional and psychological harm. Staff or other residents may use threats, isolation, or verbal abuse to control or intimidate vulnerable individuals.
- Confinement. Restraining a resident or isolating them unnecessarily can cause emotional distress and physical decline.
- Financial exploitation. Thieves steal from vulnerable residents through unauthorized withdrawals and fraudulent changes to legal documents.
Houston families who suspect mistreatment should take immediate steps to investigate. Changes in behavior, unexplained injuries, or missing possessions often signal deeper issues within a facility.
“I’ve had families sit across from me, angry and exhausted, because a nursing home kept giving them the runaround. Their mom wasn’t just ‘prone to falling.’ Their dad didn’t just ‘lose weight.’ They knew something was wrong. And they were right. Facilities cut costs, staff look the other way, and families are left trying to piece it all together. That’s not how this ends. We make sure the truth comes out, and we don’t stop until it does.”
—Paul Skrabanek | Partner at Pierce Skrabanek
Speak With a Houston Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
Not all Houston nursing homes operate as they should. Some fail to prevent falls, while others allow untreated infections to spread. A facility that looks well-kept during visiting hours may be understaffed behind closed doors, leaving residents without basic necessities.
Texas law requires nursing homes to meet specific health and safety standards, but regulators often fail to enforce them until harm has occurred. Families are usually the first to notice subtle warning signs, yet getting direct answers from facility staff can be difficult.
Nursing home neglect in Houston is more common than many realize. Holding facilities accountable through legal action exposes mistreatment and forces change. A Houston nursing home negligence lawyer can assist in gathering medical records, speaking with witnesses, and ensuring the facility addresses the harm done.
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Why Hire Pierce Skrabanek
For over 30 years, families in Houston have turned to Pierce Skrabanek when nursing homes fail their residents. When loved ones show signs of neglect, families ask questions and get excuses. Records don’t match up. Facilities avoid accountability.
As Houston nursing home abuse attorneys, we know nursing homes cut corners. Falls, infections, and medication errors are often the result of understaffing, poor training, or outright abuse. We’ve taken on cases where residents were left without food, overmedicated to keep them quiet, or ignored when they needed medical attention.
If your loved one has suffered neglect or mistreatment, call (832) 690-7000 or contact us online to find out how we can help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of nursing home neglect in Houston?
Neglect can manifest as untreated bedsores, sudden weight loss, medication errors, or unsanitary living conditions. Emotional neglect, such as isolation or lack of interaction, can also indicate mistreatment.
Can I report a Houston nursing home for suspected abuse?
Yes. You can file a report with Texas Adult Protective Services, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, or a local ombudsman. If immediate danger exists, law enforcement should be contacted.
What legal protections exist for Houston nursing home residents?
Texas and federal laws protect nursing home residents from neglect and abuse. Facilities must provide medical care, nutrition, and a safe environment. Violations can result in penalties, lawsuits, and facility closures.
How can a Houston nursing home lawyer help my family?
A lawyer can investigate the situation, gather evidence, and pursue claims for medical costs, pain and suffering, and relocation expenses. Facilities deny wrongdoing until legal pressure forces them to provide answers.
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Real Results for Real Challenges
We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.
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$1.2 Million for Young Girl Molested at Apartment Complex
Summary: A temporary worker hired by a contractor doing work at a complex in Southwest Houston sexually assaulted a special needs young girl. Paul sued the Apartment Complex, Security Company, and Contractor. He obtained a combined $1.2 Million settlement in Harris County.
