Seattle Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse Lawyer

When you place a loved one in a nursing home or residential care facility, you trust that they will receive safe, attentive, and compassionate care. Sadly, that trust is sometimes betrayed. Nursing home neglect, abuse, and negligent care can lead to devastating consequences: bedsores, falls, dehydration, malnutrition, medication errors, even wrongful death. At Gustad Law Group, we represent residents and families across Seattle who have been harmed by care facility negligence or abuse. Our team stands with you, investigates what went wrong, and fights to hold negligent facilities accountable.

Seattle nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer John‑Paul Gustad and his staff understand how painful and complicated these situations can be. We approach every case with empathy, respect, and determination, working to secure justice and compensation while treating you and your loved one with dignity.

Why Nursing Home & Residential‑Care Neglect Matters in Seattle

The quality of long-term care facilities in Seattle varies widely. According to recent data, there are dozens of active skilled nursing facilities in the city, but not all provide quality care. A public database shows Seattle has many facilities operating under Medicare certification, with vast differences in terms of quality.

Of the 68 Seattle nursing homes currently listed by Medicaid, over one-third have only a one or two-star rating based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. These low ratings often correlate with substandard care, staffing shortages, and increased risk of neglect or abuse. Because many Seattle-area homes fall into this lower-rated category, the risk to residents is real and serious. Some of these facilities have been cited for abuse or not even rated due to a history of serious quality issues.

Even when a facility’s rating is public, many incidents of neglect go unreported. In one recent federal report, nearly half of serious falls with injury and hospitalization among nursing‑home residents nationwide were not reported as required. That means that official data may understate the actual scope of harm, making diligent scrutiny by family members and their attorneys all the more important.

Common Forms of Neglect & Abuse in Seattle Nursing Homes

Residents and families often contact us after suffering from serious harm, such as:

• Bedsores (pressure ulcers) resulting from prolonged immobility and lack of proper repositioning or hygiene.
• Falls leading to fractures, head injuries, or internal injuries, especially when the facility fails to provide proper supervision, assistive devices, or safe conditions.
• Dehydration and malnutrition caused by inadequate monitoring, skipped meals, or failure to respond to significant changes in a resident’s needs.
• Medication errors, including administering the wrong medication or dose, missing critical medications, or failing to monitor for adverse reactions.
• Physical abuse or rough handling by staff, neglect of hygiene or dignity, or failure to respond to health emergencies.
• Imposing isolation or physical or chemical restraints as a form of punishment or for the benefit of staff without any therapeutic value
• General neglect — failure to provide timely medical care, maintain a safe environment, or attend to basic needs.

These harms are preventable. Unfortunately, some care homes attempt to cover them up, attribute injuries to the natural aging process, or claim the resident’s preexisting conditions caused the problems. When that happens, families are often left with medical bills, emotional trauma, and no way to pay for additional care. That’s where we step in.

Why Facilities Try to Avoid Responsibility

There are many reasons a nursing home or residential care facility may try to downplay injury or deny responsibility:

• They claim that bedsores or falls are simply the result of a resident’s age or frailty.
• They rely on staffing shortages or high turnover to excuse neglect.
• They may underreport incidents to avoid regulatory penalties or termination from Medicare or Medicaid funding
• They may attribute problems to the resident’s underlying medical conditions rather than negligence or poor care.
• They may fight liability or offer minimal compensation without fully disclosing records, which can leave survivors without fair recourse.

These practices thrive when victims are unrepresented or unaware of their rights. That is why early legal intervention can make a critical difference in ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper compensation.

How Gustad Law Group Advocates for Seattle Nursing Home Residents and Families

When you choose Gustad Law Group to represent a case of neglect or abuse, we begin with a compassionate, thorough, fact-based investigation. Our goals are to uncover what really happened and hold negligent parties accountable. In each case, we:

1. Review the full care history: medical records, incident reports, medication logs, staffing schedules, and inspection history.
2. Interview staff, witnesses, and, when appropriate, other residents or family members to document conditions, patterns, and negligence.
3. Consult with medical experts to demonstrate causation — for example, how bedsores resulted from failure to reposition, or how dehydration stemmed from inadequate supervision.
4. Challenge any attempt by the facility to attribute the injury to age, preexisting conditions, or “just accidents.” We make sure your loved one’s experience is judged fairly under Washington law, not dismissed because of stereotypes.
5. Demand accountability and pursue full compensation for injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and, when applicable, wrongful death damages.

We approach every case with sensitivity, respect, and a commitment to justice. We understand that your loved one is more than a resident; they are family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Seattle

What are common signs of neglect in a nursing home?

Signs include bedsores or pressure ulcers, unexplained falls or fractures, sudden weight loss or dehydration, unsanitary conditions, or a change in your loved one’s mood or behavior.

What if the facility claims the injury is due to age or a preexisting condition?

That is a common tactic. We work with medical experts and review full care records to show when neglect or lack of proper care, not aging, caused or worsened the injury.

Why don’t all incidents get reported?

Many facilities underreport or fail to report adverse events like falls or major injuries. A recent nationwide review by the Office of Inspector General found that 43% of serious falls resulting in hospitalization were not reported as required.

How do I know if a nursing home is low-rated in Seattle?

You can check the quality of a nursing home on the Medicare website, which uses a Five-Star Quality Rating System that evaluates staffing levels, health inspections, and other quality measures. Homes with 1–2 stars often have documented problems. Be aware that staffing turnover or changes in administration or ownership can cause a decline in quality in a previously well-rated facility, so continual vigilance is recommended.

Do I need a lawyer to hold a facility accountable for abuse or neglect?

Nursing homes frequently have teams of lawyers defending them. Experienced advocates like Gustad Law Group can collect evidence, counter defenses, and build the strongest possible case.

What compensation can I seek if neglect caused serious injury or wrongful death?

Depending on the case, damages may include medical expenses, costs of future care, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, and, in wrongful death cases, compensation for surviving family members, funeral costs, and loss of support or companionship.

Call Gustad Law Group for a Free Consultation Regarding Nursing Home Negligence in Seattle

If you believe a loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a Seattle nursing home or residential care facility, Gustad Law Group is here to help. We treat every client with dignity, empathy, and fierce advocacy. We offer a free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact our Seattle office today, and let us help you seek justice, accountability, and the respect your loved one deserves.