Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in New Brunswick

If your loved one has suffered abuse in a New Brunswick nursing home, you do not have to face it alone. A New Brunswick nursing home abuse lawyer at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you take legal action to protect your family member and hold negligent or abusive facilities accountable. Schedule a free consultation by calling (973) 364-8300.

Protecting Vulnerable Loved Ones: Why Nursing Home Abuse Happens

Nursing homes in New Brunswick are meant to protect vulnerable loved ones, but that trust can be broken when abuse or neglect occurs. About 1 in 6 adults over 60 experience abuse in community settings, often involving physical harm, emotional abuse, neglect, or sexual assault—much of it hidden when victims can’t speak up.

Several systemic issues contribute to these failures:

• Understaffing: With too few employees, staff may become overwhelmed or neglect their responsibilities.
• Inadequate training: Workers who are improperly trained may not know how to manage residents with complex physical or mental health needs effectively.
• Lack of oversight: Weak supervision and poor internal policies allow misconduct to go unchecked.
• Profit-driven ownership: Some facilities cut corners on staffing, supplies, or safety protocols in the name of cost savings.

Abuse and neglect in New Brunswick nursing homes are preventable. If your loved one has suffered, you have the right to act. Investigating the cause and holding those responsible can help your family get answers and seek justice. 

Recognizing the Signs: Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse is not always easy to detect, but it can take many forms—each with serious emotional, physical, and legal consequences. Families must remain alert to changes in their loved one’s behavior, health, or environment that could signal mistreatment.

Common types of nursing home abuse in New Brunswick include:

• Physical abuse: This involves the use of force that causes injury, pain, or impairment, such as hitting, slapping, pushing, or improper use of restraints. Watch for unexplained bruises, broken bones, or injuries that are still in various stages of healing.
• Emotional abuse: Verbal assaults, humiliation, threats, or isolation from social interaction can profoundly impact a resident’s mental well-being. Sudden anxiety, depression, or fearful behavior may be signs.
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior is abuse, especially when the resident is mentally incapacitated or unable to communicate. Signs may include bruising around private areas, sexually transmitted infections, or withdrawal.
• Neglect: This is one of the most overlooked forms of abuse. It includes failing to provide adequate food, water, hygiene, medical care, or a safe environment. Bedsores, dehydration, poor hygiene, and repeated falls are all red flags. 

Warning signs that your loved one may be experiencing abuse or neglect:

• Unexplained cuts, bruises, or broken bones
• Sudden weight loss or signs of malnutrition
• Bedsores or poor hygiene
• Withdrawn, anxious, or fearful behavior
• Unexpected infections or STDs
• Staff refusing to leave you alone with your loved one
• Signs of overmedication or sedation
• Frequent falls or injuries with no clear explanation

Abuse or neglect may result in legal liability, even in the absence of intent to harm. If something seems wrong, trust your instincts. An attorney for nursing home neglect in New Brunswick can help protect your loved one and hold the responsible parties accountable. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?

Multiple parties may share liability for abuse or neglect in a New Brunswick facility:

• Nursing home operators and owners: The facility’s administration and owners are responsible for hiring staff, setting policies, and maintaining safe environments.
• Staff members: Facility workers can be held liable for direct acts of abuse or neglect.
• Third-party vendors: Contractors hired to manage medical care, cleaning, or transportation may be accountable for their role in the harm.
• Parent corporations: In cases where larger healthcare entities own facilities, these organizations may also be subject to legal claims.

Liability may stem from negligence, recklessness, or strict liability, depending on the circumstances. A thorough investigation into the situation can help build a strong and comprehensive claim on behalf of your loved one. 

What to Do and How the Legal Process Works in New Brunswick

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a New Brunswick nursing home, it is essential to act quickly. The steps you take now could protect them from further harm.

Here is what to do:

Don’t hesitate to take action when you suspect abuse. Take these steps to protect your loved one.

• Seek medical attention: Have a healthcare provider examine your loved one for signs of injury, distress, or neglect.
• Report the abuse: File a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Health or contact Adult Protective Services.
• Gather evidence: Document injuries, take photographs, save medical records, and make detailed notes of what you have observed.
• Call an attorney: Speak with a New Brunswick nursing home abuse lawyer at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. We can guide you through the legal process and protect your loved one’s rights. 

What the legal process involves:

• Investigation: Your attorney will collect evidence, such as medical reports, staff statements, and facility inspection records, and may consult with healthcare experts.
• Filing the lawsuit: If the case is viable, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey civil court.
• Discovery phase: Both parties exchange information, take depositions, and review expert opinions.
• Settlement or trial: Most cases settle before trial, but our team prepares each case as if it will go to court to pursue the best possible outcome.

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims allows two years from the date of the harm for the injured person to sue the party that harmed them. However, exceptions may apply in cases involving mental incapacity, wrongful death, or concealed abuse. Taking prompt action can help protect your loved one and prevent further harm to others. 

Holding Local Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Accountable

While many nursing home facilities aim to provide high-quality care, no nursing home is immune to staffing shortages, poor oversight, or administrative failures. Unfortunately, even well-known centers can become the site of serious violations and neglect.

New Jersey law requires nursing homes to follow strict standards regarding safety, staffing, and resident care. Facilities are subject to inspections and must report major incidents, yet violations still occur. Common issues include:

• Failing to administer medications properly
• Inadequate or missing care plans
• Improper use of physical restraints
• Poor infection control practices

When these failures result in abuse, injury, or neglect, families have the right to take legal action. Holding facilities accountable does not just seek justice for your loved one. It helps prevent future harm to others. If your family member was mistreated at any New Brunswick facility, Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is ready to investigate and fight for their rights. 

Our Approach at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers

We understand how painful it is to discover that your loved one has been abused or neglected. Our legal team will:

• Listen to your concerns with compassion and urgency
• Launch a thorough investigation
• Identify all responsible parties, including staff and corporate owners
• Consult medical experts to validate injuries and long-term consequences
• Aggressively pursue fair compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, and more

Our firm has a strong record of standing up to powerful institutions. We are not afraid to take on large nursing home chains or insurance companies. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Abuse in New Brunswick

Worried about nursing home abuse in New Brunswick? These quick answers can help you know what to look for and what to do next.

What signs of abuse should families watch for in New Brunswick nursing homes?

Watch for unexplained injuries, emotional withdrawal, fear of caregivers, or poor hygiene. Signs like dehydration, dirty clothing, or sudden silence may indicate abuse or neglect. If your loved one refuses visits or exhibits sudden changes in behavior, do not ignore these symptoms. They could be serious warning signs. 

How quickly should I act if I suspect abuse in a New Brunswick nursing home?

Act fast to protect your loved one. Call law enforcement for urgent concerns, document what you have seen, and contact a New Brunswick nursing home abuse lawyer at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers. Delays can make it harder to gather evidence and may allow the abuse to continue. 

What damages are recoverable in New Brunswick nursing home abuse claims?

Depending on the circumstances, your family may recover compensation for medical bills, psychological counseling, physical pain, and emotional suffering. If your loved one died due to abuse, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. In some cases, punitive damages may be available to punish gross misconduct.

These answers are just a starting point. Our attorneys can explain your options based on your unique situation. 

Contact a New Brunswick Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today

Abuse in a nursing home is never acceptable. If your family has been affected, a New Brunswick nursing home abuse lawyer at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you pursue justice and accountability. We fight for the safety and dignity of vulnerable individuals across Middlesex County and beyond.

Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let us help you take action when your loved one needs you most.