When Families Are Failed, We Step In
Nursing homes are meant to be safe havens for aging parents, grandparents and spouses—providing comfort, dignity and attentive care. But far too often, residents experience the opposite: neglect, mistreatment and outright abuse.
At Lucas Law Firm, we expose the systems that allow abuse to happen and fight for the dignity of those who can’t fight for themselves.
Headquartered in Kansas City and representing clients nationwide, we hold negligent facilities accountable in complex, high-stakes cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, our nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to act—strategically, compassionately and without compromise.
Speak with a Lucas Law Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer >>
The Reality of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
Abuse isn’t always visible. Neglect doesn’t always leave a bruise. But the damage—physical, emotional, financial—is real.
Common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Bed sores, infections or untreated wounds
- Unexplained bruises, fractures or repeated falls
- Dehydration, malnutrition or sudden weight loss
- Dirty clothing or poor hygiene
- Missed medications or medical neglect
- Fear, withdrawal or personality changes
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Wandering or elopement, especially in residents with dementia
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, nursing homes with the lowest staffing levels are more than twice as likely to be cited for serious deficiencies that harm residents.
And yet, underpaid, undertrained and understaffed facilities remain common throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
At Lucas Law Firm, our nursing home abuse attorneys investigate every form of mistreatment, including:
- Physical Abuse -Hitting, slapping, shoving, improper restraint or any physical violence that causes pain, injury or impairment.
- Emotional or Psychological Abuse -Yelling, threatening, insulting, isolating or intimidating residents.
- Neglect – Failing to provide food, water, hygiene, supervision, medical care or other basic needs.
- Financial Exploitation – Stealing money, forging checks, coercing signatures or misusing power of attorney.
- Sexual Abuse -Any non-consensual sexual contact, coercion or exploitation.
- Medication Abuse – Overmedicating to sedate, under-medicating out of neglect or giving the wrong drugs—often used to control behavior, not treat illness.
- Healthcare Fraud – Billing for treatments never given, falsifying records or pushing unnecessary procedures to increase profits—sometimes at the expense of the resident’s health.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately 1 in 10 nursing home residents in the U.S. will experience some form of abuse; most incidents go unreported.
The Long-Term Impact on Victims
For frail and elderly residents, abuse isn’t just traumatic—it’s life-altering. Victims may face:
- Permanent loss of mobility
- Chronic pain or infection
- Hospitalization or surgery
- Emotional trauma or PTSD
- Accelerated cognitive decline
- Loss of trust, independence or dignity
Victims of elder abuse are 300% more likely to die than seniors who are not mistreated, according to the National Council on Aging.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Kansas or Missouri
If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it immediately. Here’s what to do:
1. Document Everything
Write down what you’ve seen: dates, times, staff names, photos, symptoms. Keep a journal. Save messages. These records will be critical later.
2. Notify the Facility
Speak with the director of nursing or facility administrator. Request a meeting, ask what steps will be taken and follow up in writing to create a paper trail.
3. Contact State Authorities
- In Kansas: Call the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) at 1-800-842-0078 or file an online report.
- In Missouri: Call the Department of Health & Senior Services at 1-800-392-0210 or report online.
You can also contact your regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who advocates for residents and helps resolve care issues.
4. Call Law Enforcement (if needed)
If you suspect physical assault, sexual abuse, theft or any other crime, contact local police. Call 911 if there is an immediate danger.
5. Consult a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Reporting is a critical first step. But to stop the abuse, protect others and recover damages, you’ll likely need legal action. A nursing home abuse lawyer can investigate further, build a strong case and help your family seek justice.
You have the right to report suspected abuse without fear of retaliation. If a facility threatens or punishes your loved one for speaking up, we want to hear from you immediately.
Why Families Choose Lucas Law Firm
At Lucas Law Firm, we’re not interested in fast settlements or flashy ads. We take on real cases of abuse—and we treat them with the seriousness they deserve.
What you get with us:
- Deep investigations that uncover what happened and why
- Litigation experience—we prepare every case for court, not just negotiation
- Accountability at every level—from individual aides to corporate owners
- Clear communication with you and your family, every step of the way
- Compassion for your loved one, and tenacity for what they’ve been through
We don’t just build legal cases. We fight to restore dignity.
Contact a Lucas Law Firm Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If someone you love has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, don’t wait. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can do to protect your family—and others.
Call (816) 729-9999 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation with a skilled nursing home abuse attorney at our Kansas City office, serving clients nationwide.