What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in New York: 3 Crucial Steps to Protect Your Loved One

Posted on June 16, 2025

If you have a parent or family member living in a nursing home in New York and you notice signs of abuse or neglect, it’s critical to act quickly to protect them. Elder abuse in nursing homes is sadly more common than most people realize—and it can take many forms, including physical, emotional, or even financial abuse.

Here are three important steps you should take right away if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse:

1. Take Photographs of Injuries or Unsafe Conditions

If you notice anything concerning—such as bruises, bedsores (also called pressure ulcers), poor hygiene, or unsanitary living conditions—take clear photographs as soon as possible. Visual evidence is often key when reporting nursing home abuse in New York, whether to facility administrators or state authorities.

2. Keep Detailed Notes

Document everything. Write down:

What you saw
When it happened
Who was involved (if known)
How your loved one responded

Keep a journal or digital log with dates and times. This documentation can be vital if you need to make a formal complaint or consult with an elder law attorney in New York.

3. Submit a Written Complaint—and Keep a Copy

Verbal complaints often go ignored. Submit your concerns in writing to the nursing home administrator and request a written response. Be sure to keep a copy for your own records. In New York, you can also file a complaint with the New York State Department of Health or the New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. These agencies are responsible for investigating claims of nursing home abuse or neglect.

Final Thoughts

Taking these three steps—documenting with photos, keeping detailed notes, and filing a written complaint—can make all the difference in protecting your loved one both now and in the future.

If you have questions or need legal guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in New York. Your loved one deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Posted on June 16, 2025

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in New York: 3 Crucial Steps to Protect Your Loved One

Here are three important steps you should take right away if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse:

1. Take Photographs of Injuries or Unsafe Conditions

2. Keep Detailed Notes

Document everything. Write down:

What you saw
When it happened
Who was involved (if known)
How your loved one responded

Keep a journal or digital log with dates and times. This documentation can be vital if you need to make a formal complaint or consult with an elder law attorney in New York.

3. Submit a Written Complaint—and Keep a Copy

Final Thoughts

Taking these three steps—documenting with photos, keeping detailed notes, and filing a written complaint—can make all the difference in protecting your loved one both now and in the future.

Posted on June 10, 2025

How Long Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Take in New York?

If you’ve been fired after taking medical leave—or returned to work only to find your job duties have changed or disappeared—you’re not alone. Many employees in New York face these exact situations, and it can be incredibly stressful, especially if you took time off for health reasons, pregnancy, or recovery from a medical condition.

We regularly help New York workers who take protected medical leave, such as under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or New York Paid Family Leave (PFL). Unfortunately, when these workers return, they sometimes find that:

Their position has been eliminated
Their job duties have been reassigned
They’re being treated unfairly or harassed
They’ve been terminated shortly after returning

So, what should you do if this happens to you?

1. Don’t Quit Without Taking These Steps First

Your first instinct might be to quit if you’re being mistreated or feel unwanted after returning from leave. But in New York, quitting can make it harder to prove your case—unless the harassment or retaliation is so severe that you truly have no other option.

New York has a high legal threshold for what’s called constructive discharge—meaning you were forced to quit because working conditions were intolerable. Unless you meet that threshold, voluntarily resigning could weaken any future legal claim.

2. Make an Internal Complaint First

Before quitting, try to protect your rights by filing a formal complaint:

Follow your employee handbook to identify the right person or department (usually HR or a supervisor).
Put your complaint in writing and be clear: You were on a protected medical leave, and now you believe you are being retaliated against because of that leave.

This complaint can serve as important documentation if you’re later terminated or need to pursue legal action.

3. If You’ve Already Been Fired, You Still Have Options

If you’ve already lost your job after returning from medical leave, you might feel like there’s no one left to complain to. But you still have legal options:

You may be able to file a legal claim for wrongful termination or retaliation.
You can also file a complaint with a government agency such as the New York State Division of Human Rights or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

These agencies can investigate your claim and determine whether your rights were violated.

4. Timing Matters

In many cases, timing is everything. If your termination or job changes happen very soon after you return from leave, that can strengthen the argument that your employer acted in retaliation—even if they claim there was a “legitimate” reason.

Attorneys will look at the timing, documentation, and any complaints you’ve made to determine whether your employer’s actions were legal.

5. Consult an Employment Attorney

Employment law can be complicated—especially in New York where state and federal laws may both apply. Speaking to a New York employment attorney can help you understand:

Whether your medical leave was legally protected
If your employer violated state or federal leave laws
What evidence you need to support your case
What your next steps should be

Need Help? We’re Here for You.

If you’ve been fired after taking a medical leave or are being treated unfairly after returning to work, don’t wait. Reach out to us for a consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight to protect them.