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 are responsible for keeping your loved one safe and secure. If they fail to prevent elopement, it’s time to take action. Call (832) 690-7000 for a free, no-strings-attached case review today.
You spent a lot of time researching a trusted facility to care for your elderly loved one. Choosing a nursing home is never an easy decision, but you did what you thought was best to keep them safe and well looked after.
Then one day, out of the blue, you get a call. Your loved one is missing. They walked out of the facility alone. No one noticed right away. No one stopped them.
This is what’s known as nursing home elopement, and it's more common than you might think. When nursing homes fail to prevent it, vulnerable residents can suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives.
If your loved one was injured, went missing, or worse after wandering from a nursing home, you are not alone. With over 30+ years of combined experience, the team at Pierce Skrabanek has made it our mission to give a voice to the voiceless, including vulnerable seniors who have been failed by the very facilities trusted to protect them.
Reach out to Pierce Skrabanek online or by calling (832) 690-7000 to learn how we can help you hold negligent nursing homes accountable for what your loved one suffered and protect future residents from experiencing the same harm.
“Mr. Skrabanek and his team are all very diligent, thorough, and hard-working. For my first time ever needing a lawyer, I had a great experience. They walked me through the process and answered all of my questions along the way, and in a timely manner. I greatly appreciate all of their help!”
- Tori P. | Client
What Is Nursing Home Elopement?
Nursing home elopement happens when a resident leaves a care facility without staff knowing or stopping them. This means they walk out alone, without supervision or safety measures in place to protect them.
It’s important to understand that not all wandering is dangerous. Some residents are encouraged to walk around safely within designated areas of the facility, or some residents may be permitted to take authorized leave.
However, when someone with cognitive impairments, like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related conditions, manages to leave the facility without anyone noticing, that’s called elopement. These residents often don’t realize they are lost or in danger, and they may be unable to find their way back or ask for help.
Staff should be trained to recognize when a resident is likely to wander and have a plan in place to keep them safe. When they fail to do that, and a resident elopes, it’s often a sign that something has gone wrong with their care.
Who Is Most at Risk of Elopement in a Nursing Home?
Certain residents are more likely to wander or attempt to leave a care facility, especially those struggling with memory loss or confusion. Understanding these risk factors is an important part of prevention and something nursing homes should take seriously when developing care plans.
Common risk factors for elopement include:
Cognitive Conditions: Residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s may not understand where they are or why they are there in the first place. They might believe they need to "go home" or think they have somewhere else to be.
Mental Health Struggles: Residents who have depression, anxiety, or paranoia may be more prone to experiencing confusion, agitation, and an overall desire to escape the facility.
History of Elopement or Wandering: This is often a red flag that a resident may try to leave again. It signals the need for closer supervision.
New Admissions or Changes In Routine: Being in a new environment or experiencing a sudden change in care can increase feelings of confusion or restlessness, especially in residents with cognitive challenges.
Facilities have a responsibility to identify these risks early and put proper safety provisions in motion. That means taking the time to truly understand each resident, such as their medical conditions, mental health struggles, and personal history.
When a nursing home treats someone as just another bed to fill, instead of a person in need of care and protection, that is not just poor care. It is neglect, and a nursing home elopement attorney can help your loved one.
Injuries and Harm Caused by Elopement
Elopement doesn’t mean a peaceful walk through nearby streets. When a nursing home resident leaves unsupervised, especially if they are confused or physically fragile, they can quickly find themselves in dangerous situations that can lead to severe injury or even death.
Injuries that we often see in elopement cases include:
Falls: Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 years and older. Without proper supervision, residents may trip, fall, or become disoriented, leading to broken bones or head injuries.
Exposure to the Elements: Already physically compromised individuals may end up in extreme temperatures, risking heatstroke or hypothermia. Furthermore, residents may suffer scrapes or cuts in the outdoors, leading to infections.
Malnutrition or Dehydration: A resident who becomes lost or disoriented may not be able to find food or water.
Traffic Accidents: If a resident is able to leave the facility and wander onto busy streets, they risk being hit by a vehicle.
Physical Assault: Being outside without supervision exposes residents to the possibility of assault, theft, or other harmful situations.
Psychological Trauma: Elopement doesn’t just harm the body. The trauma of being lost, scared, and exposed can take a huge emotional toll on the person who eloped.
In the worst cases, the consequences can be fatal. Serious injuries, long-term health complications, or even death can result from the failure to prevent elopement. If you believe you have found any instances of abuse or neglect that could contribute to elopement, you should report it.
The weight of knowing that a nursing home didn’t look after your loved one is crushing. Know that you do not have to go through this alone. Reach out to Pierce Skrabanek today online or at (832) 690-7000 so that a nursing home elopement lawyer can help you understand your legal options going forward.
Nursing homes have a legal duty to keep residents safe. That includes putting the right policies, staff, and safety measures in place to prevent elopement, especially for residents who are known to be at risk. When a facility fails in that duty, it may be held responsible for the harm that follows.
A nursing home elopement attorney may be able to support you in seeking damages against the facility if it is found responsible for any of the following:
Understaffing or Poorly Trained Staff: Without enough caregivers on staff or workers who are not trained to recognize warning signs of elopement, residents may go unnoticed or slip through the cracks.
Lack of Proper Security Measures: Facilities that don’t have physical safeguards in place, like secure exits, alarms, or locked doors, make it easier for residents to escape undetected.
Inadequate Care Plans: Nursing homes are required to assess each resident’s needs. If a resident has dementia or is a known elopement risk, the staff should be extra vigilant and have a specific care plan in place to keep them safe.
Lack of Engagement: When residents don’t have enough meaningful activities or social connections, they may become restless or bored. This can lead them to wander in search of something familiar or stimulating, which increases the risk of elopement.
What Financial Compensation Can a Nursing Home Elopement Lawyer Help Me Get?
When nursing homes cut corners, ignore warning signs, or fail to invest in proper staffing and training, they put lives at risk. If your loved one was harmed because of these failures, you may be entitled to financial support.
At Pierce Skrabanek, we know this isn’t just about the money. For many families, it’s about getting answers as to how they could have allowed this to happen and sending a clear message that seniors deserve better.
Compensation can help relieve the very real financial stress that often follows an incident like this. You may be able to recover:
Medical Costs: This includes the cost of emergency treatment, ambulance transport, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, or any long-term care needed due to injuries caused by the elopement. In some cases, the medical needs of a resident can increase dramatically after the incident.
Lost Wages: You may have needed to take time off work unexpectedly to care for your loved one, attend medical appointments, manage transfers, or deal with the aftermath of the incident. Those lost wages and financial sacrifices may be recoverable.
Funeral and Burial Costs: If the elopement resulted in the death of your loved one, compensation can help cover funeral expenses, burial or cremation services, and the cost of end-of-life arrangements.
Pain and Suffering: These non-economic damages recognize the deep, personal toll the event took on your loved one and your family. Many families experience lasting trauma, anxiety, and guilt after these events.
Relocation and Transitional Care Costs: After an elopement, many families decide to move their loved one to a safer facility. These transitions can come with added expenses, including application fees, deposits, moving costs, and more.
After something as traumatic as a nursing home elopement, it can be hard to even put into words what you’ve lost. The pain of watching someone you care for suffer, knowing it could have been prevented, is infuriating.
No amount of money can undo what happened. But financial compensation can cover the costs that have suddenly been placed on your shoulders. Get a free, no-obligation case review today by contacting Pierce Skrabanek online or by calling (832) 690-7000.
According to a Martindale-Nolo study, people who hired a lawyer in personal injury cases received an average of $77,600, compared to just $17,600 for those who represented themselves.
In nursing home elopement cases, having the right legal team can significantly impact the outcome and help ensure your family receives fair and full compensation.
Testimonials
Read what our past clients have to say about our legal services.
Daryl M.
“My experience with Mr. Skrabanek was honestly far better than all expectations that we had. He took care of us like we were family, making sure me and my wife always felt like a priority and walked us through all of the concerns that we had. If you are looking for a professional who truly cares for his clients you can stop the search. You won’t be disappointed.”
Denise J.
“Mike and his team helped me settle an injury claim case. I was informed and helped through every step and they were always professional and very responsive. I really enjoyed working with them.”
Victoria S.
“My attorney, Michael, did an amazing job with my case. He’s a straight shooter and has a vast knowledge of the law combined with an extensive amount of experience, making him a fantastic attorney. I fully recommend this firm.
Thank you Pierce Skrabenek!”
Gabriela C.
“Paul Skrabanek of the law firm Pierce Skrabanek was very professional and went above & beyond in handling my daughter's case. Very dedicated, worked diligently, and got justice for my family. If I could give a higher rating than 5 stars I would. Thank you and your firm for such tenacity.”
Raymond H.
“These guys are awesome, they were very informative from the beginning to end, working with them was super smooth, and I had all questions answered thoroughly. The whole team at this firm works to help in every way they can. They were able to get me the compensation I deserved and exceeded my expectations. If you’re ever in need of a stellar team to stand behind you and work for you, these guys are the ones you would want in your corner.
Thank you very much Paul and thank your team for me.”
Cam F.
“Working with Paul Skrabanek was a very positive experience. He helped me understand the legal process as someone who has never been a part of a lawsuit, and was able to get me settled quickly and painlessly! Loved working with Pierce Skrabanek law firm!”
Michele R.
“Michael Pierce and his team, especially Krystle, were very professional, always available (even on weekends), and very knowledgeable. We appreciate their hard work on our case and the time they took to explain every detail as our case progressed. Mike is a phenomenal attorney and we highly recommend them for your legal needs.”
Beverly C.
“I found Mr. Skrabanek to be very trustworthy, creditable, and genuinely concerned about my well-being while I was going through this very difficult process. He showed constant concern for me being completely satisfied before making any final decisions.”
Diane T.
“Fantastic team of attorneys and staff dedicated to their clients. Michael Pierce is an outstanding trial attorney for personal injury cases.”
Deborah S.
“We watched, participated & listened to Paul Skrabanek fight for a settlement which we could be happy with. Just this month the case has been put to rest.”
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Why Families Choose Pierce Skrabanek: A Trusted Nursing Home Elopement Law Firm
With over 30 years of combined experience and more than $500 million recovered in verdicts and settlements, Pierce Skrabanek has earned the trust of families nationwide in nursing home abuse claims. When residents are neglected or allowed to wander away unnoticed, we don’t accept excuses; we demand accountability.
We’ve handled a variety of cases where residents were left with bedsores, abandoned at facilities, or ignored in moments of real need. Elopement is often the final, preventable failure in a pattern of neglect.
If your loved one was harmed after wandering from a nursing home, call (832) 690-7000 or reach out to us online today. We’re ready to fight for your family like it were our own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can a Nursing Home Elopement Attorney Help Me?
A nursing home elopement attorney will begin by investigating how and why your loved one was able to wander away from the facility. They’ll gather key evidence, such as security footage, staff records, and witness statements, to build your case. The attorney will also show where the nursing home failed, whether it was inadequate staffing, lack of supervision, or improper safety measures.
How Long Do I Have to File a Nursing Home Elopement Case?
The time you have to file a nursing home elopement case depends on the statute of limitations, which varies by state. In many cases, you have between 1 to 3 years to take legal action. However, this timeframe can differ, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to understand the exact limits for your situation.
Can I Take Legal Action if My Loved One Was Found Soon After Wandering?
Yes, you can. Even if your loved one was found quickly, legal action may still be necessary if the elopement happened because the facility was negligent. Just because the situation didn’t end in serious harm doesn’t mean the nursing home should be let off the hook for failing to prevent it in the first place.
What Warning Signs of Neglect Should I Look Out For to Prevent Elopement?
As a visiting family member, watch for signs of neglect, such as your loved one becoming increasingly confused, agitated, or withdrawn. If they seem uninterested in activities or lack engagement with staff, it could indicate they’re not receiving the care they need. Pay attention to any unexplained changes in behavior or attempts to wander, as these could be signs that the facility isn’t meeting their needs. Staying in regular communication with staff and asking about any concerns can help prevent potential risks.
We’re Here for You: 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.
$350,000 for Trip and Fall Victim
As the Plaintiff was leaving a hair salon in Montgomery County, Texas she fell down a set of stairs that was no readily visible as the Defendant property owner had not painted the nosing of the steps to make them distinguishable from the other portion of the sidewalk. Additionally, the set of stairs had a handrail that did not conform to industry-standard guidelines.
Mike Pierce was part of a trial team that obtained an $11.6 million jury verdict in a Houston, Texas claim. The case involved a worker who suffered a catastrophic injury that resulted in the loss of most of the sight in one of his eyes.
.webp)
