It’s one of the hardest decisions a family can make—placing a loved one in a nursing home. You trust that the people there will care for them with compassion, dignity, and respect. But what happens when that trust is betrayed?
Statistics reveal a sobering truth: 1 in 6 people aged 60 and older has experienced some form of abuse in a community setting such as a nursing home. Elder abuse can take many forms—from subtle neglect to blatant emotional, physical, or even sexual abuse.
At Herrman & Herrman, Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe our elderly deserve better. With years of experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases throughout Texas, our dedicated legal team is here to hold negligent facilities accountable and fight for justice on behalf of your loved one.
Let’s take a closer look at the red flags—and what you can do to protect those who can’t always protect themselves.
What Does Elder Abuse Look Like?
Elder abuse often goes unnoticed or unreported—not because it isn’t happening, but because victims may be unable or too afraid to speak up. Many elderly individuals suffer in silence due to fear, confusion, memory issues, or shame.
Unfortunately, abuse is particularly common in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where residents are left vulnerable in the care of undertrained, overworked, and often underpaid staff. Without adequate supervision or accountability, neglect and abuse can flourish behind closed doors.
This is why it’s critical to stay alert to changes in your loved one’s appearance, behavior, or living conditions. Below are some of the most common signs of elder abuse we see in our practice.
3 Critical Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
1. Unexplained Bruises, Scars, or Injuries
When visiting your loved one, always check for any signs of physical trauma—bruises, welts, cuts, burns, or broken bones. If the staff can’t provide a clear and legitimate explanation, it’s a red flag. Repeated injuries or signs of restraint should never be dismissed as “accidents.” Abuse or rough handling could be to blame, and action must be taken immediately.
2. Sudden Weight Loss or Signs of Malnutrition
Is your loved one looking frail or weak, despite no recent illness? Malnourishment and dehydration are often telltale signs of neglect. Caregivers may be failing to assist with meals, ignoring dietary needs, or purposely withholding food and water. You may even notice pressure sores, dry skin, or general fatigue—clear indicators of neglectful care.
3. Behavioral Changes, Depression, or Withdrawal
If your elderly family member suddenly becomes withdrawn, irritable, fearful, or depressed, these could be emotional responses to abuse. Elderly individuals may not be able to articulate what’s wrong, but their behavior often tells the story. In some cases, abuse victims may even show signs of post-traumatic stress. This is when a mental health professional and an experienced attorney should be involved.
Why You Need to Act Now
Victims of elder abuse are at a significantly higher risk of premature death. Beyond the emotional toll, abuse can lead to serious physical complications, irreversible health damage, and a loss of the will to live. The longer abuse continues, the worse the outcome may be.
When you suspect mistreatment, do not wait. Speak to a supervisor. Document everything. Take photographs. And most importantly—get legal help.
Let Herrman & Herrman Help You Get Justice
At Herrman & Herrman, we understand that elder abuse cases are emotionally charged and legally complex. You need more than just a lawyer—you need a fierce advocate for your family.
Our experienced legal team is here to:
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Conduct a full investigation into the nursing home or assisted living facility
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Collect medical records, witness statements, and physical evidence
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Coordinate with medical experts and mental health professionals
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Build a powerful case that holds the facility accountable
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Pursue full and fair compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more
You shouldn’t have to navigate this painful situation alone—and your loved one shouldn’t suffer another day in silence.
Contact an Elder Abuse Attorney in Corpus Christi Today
If your elderly loved one has been neglected or abused in a nursing home, don’t wait another moment. The sooner you act, the better the chance of protecting them—and preventing the same abuse from happening to someone else.
Herrman & Herrman is ready to fight for your family. Call us for a free, confidential consultation, or fill out our online contact form now. Let us help you seek justice and restore dignity to your loved one’s life.
Your loved one deserves safety. You deserve answers. Let’s get both—together.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
