Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Oakland County

Nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Oakland County are some of the most devastating matters a family can face. When a vulnerable loved one enters a nursing home, families trust that trained caregivers will provide safety, dignity, and attentive care. Yet far too often, residents suffer silent harm—physical, emotional, or even financial—at the hands of the very people entrusted with their wellbeing. These cases require swift, decisive intervention to protect residents and prevent further abuse.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we understand how deeply personal and painful these situations can be. Our firm has built its reputation on a client-first philosophy, where integrity, compassion, and clear communication guide every step of our work. We operate as a true team, with attorneys and staff collaborating on every case, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and no family feels alone.

With more than 50 years of combined experience and strong roots in the local community, families across Oakland County trust us to advocate for their loved ones with the same commitment and care we extend to our own. Our thorough investigative approach, combined with our unwavering dedication to justice, positions us as a powerful voice for vulnerable seniors who cannot speak for themselves.

Understanding Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?

• Physical Abuse
  Includes hitting, pushing, rough handling, improper restraints, or any physical force that causes pain or injury.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse
  Caretakers may intimidate, threaten, belittle, ignore, or isolate residents, causing emotional harm or fear.
• Sexual Abuse
  Any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior toward a resident, particularly egregious due to the resident’s vulnerability.
• Financial Exploitation
  Unauthorized use of a resident’s money, bank accounts, property, or identity for personal gain.
• Chemical or Physical Restraints
  Improper use of sedatives, antipsychotics, straps, belts, or locked rooms to control residents rather than protect them.

What Constitutes Nursing Home Neglect?

Neglect occurs when a facility or caregiver fails to meet the necessary standard of care, resulting in physical, emotional, or psychological harm.

• Failure to Provide Adequate Medical Care
  Ignoring symptoms, delaying treatment, mishandling medications, or failing to follow care plans.
• Poor Hygiene and Unsanitary Conditions
  Dirty bedding, unwashed residents, fecal or urine odors, and unsafe living environments.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration
  Lack of proper meals, fluids, or assistance with eating—often leading to rapid health decline.
• Failure to Prevent Falls
  Lack of supervision, failure to use mobility aids, or ignoring fall-risk protocols.
• Ignoring Medical Needs or Symptoms
  Allowing infections, bedsores, or injuries to worsen because staff failed to monitor residents or respond appropriately.

Michigan & Federal Laws Protecting Nursing Home Residents

Michigan Adult Protective Services Act

• Rights of vulnerable adults
  Michigan law protects seniors from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, affirming their right to safety, respect, and appropriate care.
• Mandatory reporting requirements
  Healthcare workers, facility staff, and other professionals must report suspected abuse—placing legal accountability on those who witness wrongdoing.

Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA)

• Resident rights
  OBRA establishes nationwide standards ensuring residents receive dignified, respectful treatment. This includes the right to be free from abuse, restraints, and neglect.
• Required standards of care
  Facilities must provide services that help residents maintain their highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

Licensing & Regulation Requirements

• Oversight from state agencies
  Nursing homes in Michigan undergo inspections and must comply with strict safety, staffing, and patient-care regulations.
• Inspection and compliance policies
  Facilities with repeated violations, preventable injuries, or patterns of neglect may face penalties or corrective actions. These records often become vital evidence in abuse cases.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Nursing Home Abuse Case

Facility Responsibility

• Negligent hiring or training
  Facilities may be liable when they hire unqualified staff, fail to conduct background checks, or do not properly train caregivers to meet residents’ needs.
• Understaffing
  Chronic understaffing—often driven by cost-cutting—leads to skipped care, neglected hygiene, untreated injuries, and dangerous environments.
• Poor supervision
  When staff fail to monitor residents, prevent foreseeable hazards, or respond to emergencies, the facility may be responsible for resulting harm.

Individual Caregiver Liability

• Direct abusive acts
  If a caregiver physically, emotionally, sexually, or financially abuses a resident, they can be held personally accountable.
• Failure to follow care plans
  Caregivers who ignore medical directives, mobility restrictions, dietary needs, or medication instructions endanger residents and may be liable for injuries sustained.

Medical Providers

• Wrong medications
  Medication errors can cause severe complications for elderly residents, making prescribing physicians or nurses liable.
• Failure to diagnose conditions
  Ignoring symptoms or delaying medical evaluation can allow infections, bedsores, and other serious conditions to worsen.
• Improper treatment
  Providing the wrong treatment—or no treatment at all—may qualify as medical negligence.

Corporate Ownership Liability

• Neglect caused by profit-driven decisions
  Corporate owners may reduce staffing levels, limit training budgets, or restrict supply orders to increase profits, creating unsafe environments.
• Inadequate staffing budgets
  When financial decisions directly lead to neglect, preventable injuries, or repeated violations, the corporation itself may be held liable.

Types of Compensation Available

Economic Damages

• Medical bills and long-term care
  Covers hospitalization, medications, specialist appointments, and future medical needs resulting from the abuse.
• Rehabilitation and therapy
  Includes physical therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and other services needed for recovery.
• Relocation to a safe facility
  If the resident must be moved for their protection, the law may allow recovery of associated relocation and transition costs.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
  Compensation for the physical discomfort and limitations caused by injuries or neglect.
• Emotional trauma
  Abuse and neglect often cause fear, anxiety, depression, and a profound loss of trust.
• Loss of dignity
  One of the most devastating effects of nursing home mistreatment is the violation of a resident’s sense of self-respect.
• Loss of enjoyment of life
  When neglect or abuse diminishes a resident’s ability to engage in daily activities or social interactions, these losses may be compensable.

Wrongful Death Damages

In the tragic event that abuse or neglect contributes to a resident’s death, surviving family members may recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and emotional support
• Loss of financial and household contributions
• Medical bills incurred prior to passing

How Liss, Shapero & Mitnick Investigate Nursing Home Abuse Cases

Team-Based Case Handling

• Every attorney and staff member collaborates on the case.
  LSM operates as a true team. Unlike firms where a single lawyer handles a file with minimal support, our entire team contributes to the strategy, investigation, and overall care of your case.
• Constant communication, clarity, and transparency.
  Clients are kept informed at every stage. Questions are answered promptly, and guidance is proactive—not reactive. Our culture prioritizes ensuring every client understands the process and their rights.
• You receive full-team support, not just a single lawyer.
  From intake to settlement or trial, multiple team members—including attorneys, paralegals, and support staff—play an active role, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Immediate Case Steps

• In-depth intake led by trained staff
  Your first call is handled by knowledgeable team members like Sherry or Michael, who gather essential details and offer reassurance during an overwhelming time.
• Early attorney contact to build trust and protect the client
  An attorney speaks with you promptly, beginning the relationship on a foundation of trust, compassion, and clear expectations.
• Review of medical records and care plans
  We examine charts, treatment notes, and documented care plans to identify inconsistencies, omissions, or concerning patterns.

Evidence Collection

• Medical documentation
  Hospital records, nursing notes, photographs, and diagnostic results help establish the cause and severity of injuries.
• Witness interviews
  We speak with staff, visitors, other residents, and anyone who may have observed signs of abuse or neglect.
• Staff logs and shift reports
  These documents often reveal understaffing, missed care tasks, or incomplete records—common hallmarks of neglect.
• Surveillance footage
  Video evidence from hallways, common areas, or resident rooms can provide critical insight into how injuries occurred.
• Medication records
  Improper dosing, missed medications, or dangerous drug interactions frequently indicate systemic problems.
• Expert analysis
  We partner with medical professionals and elder care experts to evaluate injuries, care standards, and facility compliance.

Coordinating with Authorities

• Reporting to APS
  We assist families in contacting Michigan Adult Protective Services when abuse or neglect is suspected.
• Filing complaints with state regulators
  Our team helps prepare and submit formal complaints to relevant licensing agencies for investigation.
• Working with law enforcement in criminal cases
  When criminal conduct is involved, we coordinate with investigators to ensure that all evidence is preserved and properly evaluated.

Protect Your Loved One Today

Elderly residents deserve dignity, safety, and respect. When nursing homes fail to uphold these basic rights, the consequences can be life-changing. At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we fight to protect the seniors in our community with the same dedication, integrity, and compassion that define our firm. From the moment you reach out, you and your family receive the full support of our team—a team committed to standing by you, uncovering the truth, and demanding accountability.

No family should face nursing home abuse or neglect alone. Whether you suspect misconduct or have clear evidence of harm, taking action today can protect your loved one and prevent future abuse within the facility.

Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick

Address:
2695 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072

Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Fax: 248-584-1323

‍