In some ways, nursing home residents are similar to private tenants. Both pay fees, both sign contracts, and in certain situations, both can be evicted. However, nursing home residents and and residential renters also share another trait in common: if they are evicted without just cause, the legality of the eviction can be challenged. In this article, nursing […]
Poor Nursing Home Regulation Puts Phila Seniors at Risk
The 2010 US Census recorded more senior citizens (40.3 million people or 13% of the total population) living in the US than at any other time in history. Pennsylvania ranks fourth in states with high senior populations with over 15 percent of residents being over age 65. This number is expected to rise in […]
Call Your Representative to Stop PA Senate Bill 747 from Capping Nursing Home Abuse Damages
When you win a lawsuit, the judge awards “damages.” Two key types of damages are called compensatory damages, or compensation for the harm that occurred, and punitive damages, which are sometimes ordered as a punishment in cases where the defendant’s misconduct was particularly egregious. As of June 10, 2015, Pennsylvania does not set “caps” or limits […]
2 Men Injured in Philadelphia Hit and Run Accidents
Two serious hit and run accidents in Philadelphia have been reported over the last two days. Each accident caused serious injuries to the victims who were both pedestrians. In the first crash, Michael Toner, a 68-year-old actor, had to have his right leg amputated after he was struck near 11th and Market streets early Tuesday morning. […]
Deadly Gloucester County Auto Accident Kills 1, Injures 2
CBS Philly has reported a deadly car accident in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Pursuant to the article, authorities have informed them that one person is dead and two people were transported to the hospital following an accident in Washington Township, Gloucester County. The accident occurred in the afternoon on June 9th, when a van was struck head-on by a pickup […]
Senator Vogel (R) Sponsors Bill that will Endager Seniors
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It was launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations and International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. This day is observed to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of the elderly by raising awareness […]
When Are Nursing Homes Liable for Fall Injuries?
Falls are a significant health issue among senior citizens. In fact, falls among senior citizens are so common and so dangerous that they are one of the most common reasons elderly people are admitted into nursing home care. Family members will often urge senior relatives to enter nursing homes once they realize they cannot monitor the […]
What Should You Do if Your Parent Refuses to Enter a Nursing Home?
The decision to seek out nursing home care is a delicate matter that touches on the complex intersection between family dynamics, financial resources, medical concerns, and the personal preference of the person who will be entering the home. But what if the person who will be entering the home doesn’t want to go? Is it possible to […]
Adverse Inference, Spoliation of Evidence and the Missing Witness Rule
What is an Adverse Inference? An adverse inference is a legal term used to describe an instruction given by the Court to a jury directing them to infer that missing evidence or testimony from a witness would be unfavorable to a party. It is applicable to both witnesses and other evidence, such as documents, electronic […]
What if You Can’t Pay for a Nursing Home?
As we’ve noted in previous blog posts, assisted living and nursing home care can be expensive. The Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA) reports that the average annual cost of assisted living is nearly $40,000, while yearly expenditures for nursing home care are closer to $110,000. For most families and senior citizens, these sorts of expenses are simply […]
