It hurts a little extra to learn that the people paid to protect your loved one let them down. A Hackensack nursing home abuse lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. gets the records, the answers, and the accountability your family is looking for. The facility usually knows far more about what happened than you do. Our job is to close that gap.
We represent residents and families throughout Hackensack and Bergen County. Call (201) 585-9111 any time, day or night, to talk with our team.
How We Prove Neglect in a Hackensack Nursing Home Case
Our Hackensack nursing home abuse lawyers prove neglect with the facility’s own paperwork. Facilities document nearly everything they do, and the gaps in those records often reveal what they didn’t do.
When we take a case, we request the full file and compare it against what your loved one needs. We also ask for records that facilities don’t always hand over on their own, such as electronic audit trails showing when someone wrote or changed a note.
These records tend to matter most:
| Record | What It Can Show |
| Admission assessment | The resident’s condition and risks on day one, before any decline |
| Comprehensive care plan | The specific steps staff promised to take, such as turning schedules or fall precautions |
| Nursing notes and flow sheets | Whether staff actually did those steps, shift by shift |
| Incident and accident reports | How the facility described a fall or injury when it happened |
| Staffing schedules and timecards | Whether enough aides and nurses were on the floor |
| State inspection reports | Prior problems the facility knew about and failed to fix |
A care plan that says one thing and a chart that shows another is often the strongest evidence in the case. Your Hackensack nursing home neglect lawyer lines those documents up so a jury, or an insurer, can see the difference.
Inspection Reports and Prior Complaints
State and federal inspectors visit nursing homes and publish deficiency findings. A facility cited before for the same failure, such as poor fall prevention, had notice of the problem. That history can strengthen a claim and support a request for punitive damages when the facility ignored repeated warnings.
The Office of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi have been so helpful in my case that I just wanted to stress to anyone needing an attorney who has been in an accident that this office is the best. From the beginning of my case I was treated as number one. Mr. Maggiano and staff always kept me informed of the entire process of my case. I even had a driver, Juan, from their office, take me to my medical appointments because I no longer have an automobile. It just made me feel so much more relaxed. This is a law firm makes you feel right at home as soon as you come in. There were many times that I had questions and I would speak to Mariel, Mr. Maggianos’s paralegal and she would always be there to help
I am writing this review on behalf of my mother, Darlene LaVella, who does not have a Facebook. ‘Chris DiGiralamo was an excellent advocate in my negligence case. His confidence, professionalism and kindness made this difficult process easier for my husband and myself. The same for his support team. Marisol Suarez was always there via phone, email or text helping me to navigate the difficulties of Workers Comp in addition to the negligence case and Karen Sanchez, who recommended the firm to me, was invaluable in helping with video & pictures. I thank you all here, publicly, and recommend this firm highly for any legal needs.’
The Maggiano, DiGirolamo, & Lizzi law office has been nothing short of amazing! All the members of their team have been outstanding from the beginning to the end. There were many struggles along the way with our situation, but they were right there when I needed them. As a person who has never needed a service of any lawyer, I had a ton of questions before and during the entire process, and I must say that Michael, Linda, Chris, and everyone else there, have all been straight shooters when it comes to the business. I would call/email them several times per day sometimes throughout the entire case and someone was always there to reply promptly and accurately each time. They do not mind going above and beyond for their clients which is honestly a rare thing to find in any professional line of work.
If you’re looking for a law firm with an amazing track record and who come highly recommended (even by other lawyers which I’ve spoken with in court during the case), look no further! You will not be disappointed with Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi law firm. If there ever comes a need for me to need assistance in a legal matter caused by a injury, I honestly would not even think twice before calling them again!
A+ on all aspects!
Is It Neglect or Just a Normal Part of Aging?
Some decline comes with age and illness, but injuries that proper care would have prevented point to neglect. Facilities often blame a resident’s age to deflect responsibility, so the question becomes whether the harm was avoidable.
When Decline Is Expected
Chronic conditions can progress even with excellent care. A worsening heart condition or advancing dementia doesn’t, on its own, mean a facility did anything wrong. We tell families honestly when the records point to illness rather than neglect because a case built on the wrong theory helps no one.
When the Facility’s Choices Caused the Harm
Federal rules require nursing homes to provide care that prevents avoidable pressure ulcers, falls, and dehydration. A deep bedsore on a resident whose chart shows missed turns, or a broken hip after staff skipped a required two-person transfer, tells a different story than ordinary aging.
Our Bergen County nursing home abuse lawyers bring in nurses and physicians who can explain that difference in plain terms.
Early Warning Signs Hackensack Families Report
Hackensack families usually spot early warning signs in three places: changes in your loved one, changes in the room, and changes in how staff talk to you. Write each one down, even before you can name the problem.
Changes in Your Loved One
A parent who seems frightened, unusually quiet, or confused in new ways may be reacting to something happening when you’re not there. Weight loss, unwashed hair, and soiled clothing also suggest basic care is slipping.
Changes in the Room
Look at the call button, the water pitcher, and the bed. A call button out of reach, an empty pitcher, or bedding that smells of urine can show that staff aren’t checking in as often as the care plan requires.
Changes in How Staff Talk to You
Vague answers, shifting explanations, or a sudden reluctance to discuss an injury can signal that the facility is protecting itself. Note who said what and when, because those conversations often matter later.
What Should You Do if a Hackensack Facility Won’t Give You Answers?
Ask for the records in writing, request a care plan meeting, and report your concerns to the state if the facility stonewalls you. Families have more leverage than they realize. These steps often get results:
- Send a written request for your loved one’s complete medical chart.
- Ask for a care plan meeting with the director of nursing and the administrator.
- Report abuse or neglect to the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-877-582-6995.
- Keep copies of every email, letter, and voicemail from the facility.
- Talk with a Hackensack nursing home abuse lawyer before you sign any document the facility hands you.
If the facility still won’t cooperate, we can request the records formally and, once we file a case, obtain them through the court process. Delays and missing pages often become evidence in themselves.
Verdicts and Settlements
$325,000 - Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Awarded to a nursing home resident who developed a Stage IV ulcer requiring surgery where the nursing home alleged the resident was non-compliant with recommendations to reduce pressure from excessive wheelchair use.
What Our Hackensack Team Brings to Nursing Home Cases
Our Hackensack office sits at Court Plaza South, 201 Main Street, Suite 206, a short walk from the Bergen County Justice Center. Our team is on the ground and quick to investigate in Bergen County.
Here’s why residents trust us:
- Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. has collected more than $300 million for injured clients.
- Our attorneys belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- We keep families informed and return calls promptly.
- You can reach our team 24/7.
- We work with nurses and physicians who review the chart line by line.
Nursing homes and their insurers often bet that families will give up. We don’t let a facility run out the clock on your loved one’s claim, and we keep pressing until the facility answers for the care it failed to give. Call (201) 585-9111 to talk with us about what happened.
Financial Abuse Inside Hackensack Facilities
Financial abuse happens when someone takes a resident’s money or property through theft, pressure, or deception. Residents with memory loss are especially vulnerable, and the losses can go unnoticed for months.
Where It Shows Up
Unexplained ATM withdrawals, new names on accounts, missing jewelry, and sudden changes to a will or power of attorney all call for a closer look. Facilities that hold resident funds must keep records of those accounts, and the records can show whether money disappeared.
If you suspect financial abuse, gather recent bank statements and ask the facility for its resident fund records in writing. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Hackensack can then trace where the money went and pursue repayment, along with any other harm the resident suffered.
Who Pays When a Hackensack Nursing Home Is Responsible?
The facility’s liability insurance usually pays a nursing home claim, but finding all the coverage takes work. Many nursing homes operate through a chain of related companies, with one entity holding the license, another owning the building, and a third managing the staff.
We trace that structure through licensing records and corporate filings. When a management company sets staffing levels or a parent company controls the budget, those entities may share responsibility for any resulting neglect.
Facilities often fill shifts with agency nurses and aides. If an agency worker caused the harm, the agency and its insurer may also answer for it, which can matter when the facility carries limited coverage.
How Nursing Home Cases Move Through Bergen County Court
Most Hackensack nursing home cases end up in the Superior Court of New Jersey at the Bergen County Justice Center. Several early steps shape the case before anyone sees a courtroom.
New Jersey generally requires an affidavit of merit from a qualified professional in a professional negligence case against a licensed facility. The affidavit states that the care likely fell below accepted standards. We line up the right reviewer early so this requirement doesn’t slow the case.
Many admission packets include an arbitration clause. Federal rules bar facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid from requiring one as a condition of admission. New Jersey courts also review these clauses closely, so we examine the exact language before deciding how to proceed.
Most claims must be filed within two years, but the clock may start later when a family couldn’t reasonably have discovered the harm. In a 2023 case involving a fall at a nursing home, the Appellate Division considered whether a resident’s mental incapacity paused the deadline. These questions turn on the facts, so we review the timeline at the start.
What Compensation Can You Get in a Hackensack Nursing Home Abuse Claim?
Compensation in a Hackensack nursing home abuse claim can cover the resident’s harm and, in some cases, include additional damages meant to punish the facility.
Depending on the case, compensation can include:
- Medical care to treat the injury.
- The cost of moving to a safer facility.
- Pain, fear, and lost dignity the resident endured.
- Losses tied to financial exploitation.
- Punitive damages when the facility acted with actual malice or wanton disregard.
New Jersey also lets a resident who proves damages from a violation of their rights recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. In March 2026, the Appellate Division clarified how that fee rule works in Emmons v. Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center.
When a Resident Dies
When neglect or abuse leads to death, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim and a claim for what the resident suffered before death. Our Hackensack wrongful death attorneys handle these cases with patience and respect.
FAQs: Hackensack Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
How can I get my parent's nursing home records in New Jersey?
A resident or their legal representative can request a New Jersey nursing home’s records under federal rules. Facilities generally must allow access within 24 hours and provide copies within two working days of a request. Put the request in writing and keep a copy.
Does a nursing home have to tell the family about a fall or injury?
Federal rules require nursing homes to notify a resident’s representative promptly after an accident that causes injury or a significant change in condition. If you learned about an injury days later, or from your loved one instead of the staff, write down the dates.
What if my loved one was hurt at a short-term rehab center after a hospital stay?
A fall or bedsore during a short-term rehab stay can support a claim just as it can for a long-term resident. Many rehab programs in Bergen County operate inside licensed skilled nursing facilities, so the same care rules and rights apply.
Will the facility find out who reported the abuse?
You can report abuse confidentially to New Jersey’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which accepts complaints from anyone. If you worry about retaliation, tell the ombudsman’s office and tell your lawyer, because federal rules protect residents who raise concerns.
Can Medicare or Medicaid take part in a nursing home settlement?
Medicare and Medicaid may have a right to repayment for care they paid for that relates to the injury. We identify those claims early and work to resolve them so more of the recovery goes to your family.
Answers Your Family Can Live With
You may never get back the trust you placed in that facility, but you can get the truth about what happened. Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. stands with Hackensack families when nursing homes fail the people in their care, and our Hackensack personal injury lawyers handle every step.
When you’re ready, call (201) 585-9111 or send us a message through our contact page. We’ll listen first and explain your options in plain language. If your loved one still lives at the facility, we can also talk through steps to protect them while the case moves forward.
Fort Lee Office
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C.
201 Columbia Ave
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Phone: (201) 585-9111
