Placing a loved one in a nursing home is one of the hardest decisions a family can make. It’s a decision built on trust—trust that trained professionals will provide safety, dignity, and care. When that trust is broken through abuse or neglect, the damage is both personal and unimaginable. At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, we’ve spent decades fighting for families whose loved ones were mistreated in long-term care settings. We understand the patterns, cover-ups, and corporate failures that allow abuse to persist, and we know how to stop them.
How a Virginia Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help
Families are often met with denials or vague excuses when they raise concerns. Facilities may conceal records, downplay injuries, or blame the victim. That’s why having a trusted Virginia Beach nursing home abuse lawyer can make the difference between silence and accountability.
At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, our process includes:
- Thorough case investigation: We don’t rely on the facility’s version of events. We obtain medical charts, incident reports, shift logs, and surveillance footage. If needed, we consult elder care experts and former staff to expose systemic issues.
- Filing civil claims against responsible parties: Whether the injury stems from a rogue employee or years of corporate cost-cutting, we build claims that follow the liability to the top. Our attorneys pursue both individuals and corporations to ensure maximum accountability.
- Negotiating settlements or going to trial: We’re respected by insurers and opposing counsel because we’re not afraid of the courtroom. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we take your case to trial and present it to a jury with skill and determination.
- Helping families heal through justice: Our goal isn’t just financial recovery, it’s closure, reform, and justice. Many of our clients find strength in knowing their actions may prevent future abuse at the same facility.
We invite you to visit our case results to learn how we can help protect your loved one and hold negligent care providers accountable. We offer free initial consultations where you can ask an experienced lawyer all your questions.
Our Attorneys
For answers to your questions about a nursing home abuse in Virginia Beach, call:
800-321-6741
Nursing Home Abuse Laws: What You Need to Know
Nursing home abuse rarely starts with a single act. It’s often the end result of a culture that tolerates corner-cutting, ignores complaints, and prioritizes profits over people. Families may notice small changes: a withdrawn parent, unexplained bruises, or repeated infections. Over time, the picture becomes clear -but by then, the harm may already be significant.
Virginia law recognizes a broad range of actions and omissions as abuse or neglect, and facilities are held to strict standards under both state and federal regulations. Yet, enforcement often falls on families to sound the alarm and take legal action when systems fail.
We dedicate time to meet with your family, understand your situation, and develop a plan to protect your loved one from abuse.
Virginia Law Protections
VA Code § 63.2-1808 affirms every resident’s right to respectful care, participation in decisions, and freedom from abuse or exploitation.
Moreover, VA Code § 32.1-138: Imposes licensing and care standards on nursing homes, enforced through inspections and potential license revocation.
We’ll help you understand what this means for your case at no upfront cost.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Trust your instincts. Abuse can take many forms, and the first step to stopping it is recognizing it.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, elder abuse affected one in ten American older adults annually, according to the National Library of Medicine. Since then, incidents have surged due to staffing shortages, isolation, and strained oversight.
The most common types of nursing home abuse include:
- Physical abuse: This includes slapping, hitting, pushing, shaking, burning, or the inappropriate use of physical restraints. Victims may appear withdrawn or fearful or have unexplained injuries.
- Emotional & verbal abuse: Mocking, yelling, isolating residents from social interaction, or threatening punishment can lead to depression, anxiety, and regression in cognitive function.
- Financial exploitation: Residents may be coerced into signing checks, altering wills, or giving away property. Staff may steal credit cards or manipulate ATM withdrawals.
- Sexual abuse: Any unwanted physical contact, indecent exposure, or coerced sexual activity qualifies.
- Medical neglect & inadequate care: Includes untreated infections, malnutrition, bedsores, overmedication, dehydration, and injuries from preventable falls. Facilities that cut corners in staffing and oversight are particularly prone to this type of neglect.
Identifying and proving negligence in these cases can be challenging. Our lawyers provide the support you need to hold responsible parties accountable and prevent future harm to other older adults.
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Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?
In many instances, more than one individual or entity may be at fault. At Tronfeld, West & Durrett, our nursing home abuse lawyers uncover the full picture to ensure every responsible party is held accountable.
We’ll consider:
- Facility operators and owners: Whether through understaffing, lack of training, or profit-driven negligence, nursing homes can be directly responsible for systemic abuse or neglect.
- Individual staff members or caregivers: Nurses, aides, or other on-site employees who abuse residents—or fail to prevent known risks—can face both civil and criminal liability.
- Third-party contractors: Outside vendors for cleaning, transportation, or medical care may be liable if their negligence contributes to the harm of a resident.
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What to Do If You Suspect Abuse
If your loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect in a Virginia Beach nursing home, act immediately. Every moment matters—their health and dignity are at stake. Here are the recommended steps to protect your loved one’s rights and well-being:
- Seek immediate medical attention if necessary: Prioritize your loved one’s safety by getting them examined by a doctor, particularly if visible injuries, illness, or pain are present.
- Report the abuse: Call Adult Protective Services through Virginia’s toll-free hotline: 1-888-832-3858.
- File a complaint with the Virginia Department of Health, which licenses and inspects nursing facilities.
- Document everything: Collect medical records, take photos of visible injuries or unsanitary conditions, and gather witness statements from other residents or staff if possible.
Standing Up for Our Elders in Virginia Beach
Elder abuse doesn’t just affect victims, it devastates entire families. That’s why our firm approaches every case with urgency, compassion, and resolve. When you hire us, you’re not just getting legal representation. You’re getting a team that will investigate the full scope of what happened, pursue justice aggressively, and remain by your side throughout the entire process.
Since 1972, Tronfeld, West & Durrett has fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves, including nursing home residents whose voices were silenced.
Contact a Virginia Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
If your loved one has suffered due to negligence, abuse, or neglect in a Virginia Beach nursing facility, don’t wait. Your action today can protect them—and others in the future. Contact Tronfeld, West & Durrett today to schedule your consultation. 24/7 available to support our clients.
Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form