Detroit Elder Abuse Attorney: Legal Action Against Caregiver Neglect

You placed your loved one into someone else’s care—a nursing home, a facility, an in-home aide—believing they’d be safe, respected, and cared for. But instead, you started noticing the bruises. The weight loss. The fear in their eyes. Or maybe you got a call from the ER—an “accident” they couldn’t explain.

Let’s be clear: this is not just “bad care.” This is abuse. And you are right to be outraged.

At Marko Law, we’ve seen the heartbreak families go through when they realize the people they relied on have harmed the ones they love most. That heartbreak often comes with guilt, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. But it doesn’t have to end in silence.

We help you fight back.

Whether it’s a nursing home in Detroit that ignored basic safety rules, a home health aide who left your parent unattended, or a facility that looked the other way while abuse happened—we take legal action. And we don’t just aim for quiet settlements. We aim for accountability, justice, and change.

Our elders deserve dignity. When someone takes that away, we step in. We get answers. And we don’t back down.

What Counts as Elder Abuse or Neglect?

hysical Abuse

Physical abuse can range from obvious injuries to more subtle signs. Look for:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones
• Frequent ER visits with sketchy explanations
• Overuse of restraints or force
• Flinching or fear when staff are nearby

No one has the right to lay hands on your loved one in anger or carelessness.

Emotional Abuse

Psychological harm is just as damaging as physical wounds. Emotional abuse may include:

• Threats, yelling, name-calling
• Isolation from family or other residents
• Humiliation or intimidation
• Staff refusing to allow private visits

Victims may withdraw, become depressed, or appear fearful without explanation.

Neglect

Neglect is a form of abuse—and it’s disturbingly common. It can include:

• Bedsores from lack of repositioning
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Poor hygiene (dirty clothes, unwashed body, soiled bedding)
• Missed medications or incorrect dosages

When caregivers don’t provide the most basic necessities, they are breaking the law—and someone must be held responsible.

Financial Exploitation

Elders are often targeted for their savings, pensions, or property. Watch for:

• Unusual bank activity or missing money
• Forged signatures on checks or documents
• Sudden changes in wills or powers of attorney
• “Gifts” or loans to caregivers

If someone is manipulating your loved one financially, it’s not just unethical—it could be criminal.

Sexual Abuse

As horrifying as it is to consider, sexual abuse does happen in elder care settings. Warning signs include:

• Bruising in private areas
• Genital infections or STDs
• Panic or withdrawal during bathing or physical contact
• Unexplained emotional distress

These cases require immediate legal intervention. We know how to handle them with sensitivity—and ferocity.

Abandonment

No elder should ever be left alone in distress. Abandonment includes:

• Leaving residents unattended for long periods
• Failing to check on bed-bound patients
• Ignoring emergency calls or distress alarms
• Leaving them in unsafe places (hot cars, unsupervised areas)

This is not just neglect—it’s a total betrayal of duty.

Michigan Laws Protecting the Elderly

Michigan Penal Code MCL 750.145n – Criminal Penalties for Elder Abuse

Under this statute, it’s a felony in Michigan to abuse, neglect, or exploit a vulnerable adult. That includes:

• Physical or emotional abuse
• Withholding food, medication, or hygiene
• Financial exploitation
• Knowingly placing a senior in a harmful situation

Penalties include prison time, fines, and court-ordered restitution—but remember: criminal charges alone don’t pay your loved one’s medical bills or suffering. That’s where a civil lawsuit comes in.

Adult Protective Services Act

This law gives Michigan’s Adult Protective Services (APS) the authority to investigate abuse, remove elders from dangerous environments, and report neglect to law enforcement.

Michigan law also includes mandatory reporting: healthcare workers, social workers, and others must report suspected abuse. If they fail to act—or worse, cover it up—they can be held liable too.

Nursing Home Residents' Rights (State & Federal)

Michigan law and federal regulations guarantee basic rights for nursing home residents, including:

• The right to be free from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment
• The right to privacy and dignity
• The right to participate in their own care
• The right to file complaints without fear of retaliation

When facilities ignore these rights, they can be sued under state and federal law. Our team uses these statutes to hold facilities to their legal duties—and expose when they’ve failed.

Civil Liability for Neglect, Negligence, or Wrongful Death

Even if criminal charges aren’t filed—or don’t stick—you can pursue civil action. That means suing for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death compensation

Civil lawsuits aren’t about revenge—they’re about justice, accountability, and care costs your family never should have had to bear.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Elder Abuse or Neglect?

Individual Caregivers (Licensed or Unlicensed)

This includes nurses, aides, or even “companions” hired privately or through an agency. If they:

• Physically abused or neglected your loved one
• Failed to provide medication or basic hygiene
• Engaged in verbal, sexual, or financial abuse

They can be sued directly—and in some cases, criminally charged under Michigan Penal Code MCL 750.145n.

Nursing Home Staff and Administrators

Abuse isn’t always about one bad nurse. Often, it’s the result of systemic failure—short staffing, poor training, or toxic culture allowed by leadership. Administrators can be liable for:

• Ignoring repeated complaints
• Failing to remove dangerous employees
• Not implementing safety or reporting protocols

When leadership turns a blind eye, they’re just as responsible as the abuser.

Home Health Agencies and In-Home Aides

If your loved one receives care in a private home, liability may fall on:

• The individual aide
• The agency that hired and sent them
• Supervisors who failed to investigate warning signs

Agencies are required to vet, train, and monitor their employees. When they skip steps to save money, your loved one pays the price—and we make sure they answer for it.

Facility Owners and Management Companies

Behind every nursing home is a corporation. And behind many of those corporations are investment firms that prioritize profits over people.

We go after:

• For-profit chains that staff below safe levels
• Owners who cut corners on supplies, training, or sanitation
• Management companies that falsify reports or cover up injuries

When neglect is built into the business model, it’s not just wrong—it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse

Document Signs and Take Photos

• Photograph visible injuries (bruises, bedsores, weight loss)
• Note changes in behavior: fear, anxiety, sudden withdrawal
• Write down every suspicious incident: names, dates, times, staff involved
• Save all communication with caregivers or facilities

Don’t wait for confirmation. Documentation protects your loved one and strengthens your legal case.

Report to Adult Protective Services (APS) and Local Authorities

File a report with Michigan Adult Protective Services (APS). You can also call your local police department to file a formal complaint if you believe abuse is occurring.

Mandatory reporters—like doctors, nurses, and facility staff—are legally required to act. If they haven’t, that’s a red flag.

Need help reporting? Marko Law can assist you—confidentially and quickly.

Remove the Elder from Danger If Possible

If your loved one is in immediate danger—GET THEM OUT. You may need to move them to a hospital or another care facility temporarily while your complaint is investigated.

We can help you coordinate safe transfers and ensure retaliation doesn’t follow them to their next home.

Contact an Attorney Immediately

Time is critical. Evidence disappears. Staff get coached. Surveillance footage vanishes. The moment you suspect abuse, call Marko Law.

We act fast to:

• Launch a full investigation
• Secure medical records and incident reports
• Demand preservation of video footage and documentation
• Hold facilities legally accountable—before they hide the damage

You don’t have to do this alone. And you shouldn’t.

Don’t Stay Silent—Protect Those Who Once Protected You

Your parent. Your grandparent. Your loved one spent their life protecting you. Now it’s your turn to protect them.

If you suspect elder abuse or neglect in a Detroit nursing home, care facility, or in-home setting—don’t wait, and don’t settle for excuses. Time is critical, and so is justice.

At Marko Law, we treat these cases like the emergencies they are. We fight for Michigan’s most vulnerable with everything we’ve got—because no one deserves to suffer in silence. Not on our watch.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: 1-833-MARKO-LAW or 1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com

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