Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyers

Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorneys Protecting Residents and Families

Nursing home residents deserve safety, dignity, and protection from sexual abuse and rape. When a loved one experiences sexual assault or rape in a care facility, families need answers and a clear path forward.

Sexual abuse includes unwanted sexual contact or contact with someone who lacks the capacity to consent. Residents who have difficulty communicating, live with cognitive impairments, or depend on others for care may be especially vulnerable.

Senior Justice Law Firm’s nursing home sexual abuse attorneys help residents and families investigate what happened and pursue accountability from those responsible. We have successfully helped more than 100 families across the U.S. sue nursing homes and assisted living facilities for sexual abuse of a vulnerable loved one.

What is Considered Rape in a Nursing Home?

Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual contact that is unwanted or nonconsensual. Sadly, sexual predators often target those that are vulnerable and defenseless such as the young, disabled, or elderly. Elder sexual abuse includes nonconsensual sexual contact and sexual exploitation. Examples include:

• unwanted sexual kissing or touching,
• rape or attempted rape,
• sexual contact with residents incapable of giving consent (either due to dementia or a cognitive disorder),
• unauthorized vaginal, oral, or anal penetration,
• coerced nudity, and,
• taking or sharing sexually explicit images without valid consent.

Elderly persons in nursing homes who are separated from family, unable to physically defend themselves, suffer from confusion or are unable to communicate are seen as easy victims. Any sexual contact given without permission is both illegal and reprehensible. If you believe your loved one was raped or sexually assaulted in a nursing home, report the incident immediately and contact a nursing home sexual abuse attorney today.

Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Sexual Assault

Sexual abuse can result in sudden behavioral changes in the victim. These behavioral changes include the following:

• Depression
• Withdrawal
• Agitation
• Anxiety or fear of a specific caregiver
• Anxiety or fear around a specific anatomic location (site of the sexual abuse)

Physical signs and symptoms of sexual abuse include the following:

• Unexplained STDs or infections
• Injury and bruising to the genital areas, thighs, or breasts
• Pain or bleeding in the genital or anal areas
• Torn or bloodied clothes or underwear
• Difficulty walking or sitting

Victims of Rape in Nursing Homes

Perpetrators of sexual abuse generally target individuals deemed vulnerable and defenseless, such as the elderly. Statistics show that older women with some form of cognitive impairment (i.e. dementia or Alzheimer’s) are the most at risk for elder sexual abuse.

This is because victims with cognitive impairment are less likely to communicate the abuse. If they do communicate the abuse, their accounts are less likely to be viewed as credible. Cases of sexual abuse are also more common for women who are more physically frail and require some form of assistance for walking or moving.

Perpetrators of Rape and Sexual Assault in Nursing Homes

Sexual abuse in nursing homes can be committed by another resident, an employee, a contractor, a visitor, or another person with access to residents. Identifying the perpetrator and investigating the facility’s response to warning signs are important steps in evaluating potential legal responsibility.

A nursing home is legally responsible to screen all incoming residents and staff, and to know which, if any, of their residents are prone to sexual assault.

Concerns for Nursing Home Rape Victims

Elderly patients in nursing homes are at great risk of being targeted by sexual predators. This is because elderly patients generally exhibit both cognitive and physical impairments that make them vulnerable to abusers. Abusers view these cognitive and physical impairments as assets in helping them overpower and manipulate their victims as well as avoid prosecution.

Over 70% of cases of elder sexual abuse are reported to occur in nursing homes. It must be kept in mind that this statistic reflects only those cases that have been reported. Elderly patients typically have cognitive disabilities that hinder their ability to report or substantiate their abuse.

In addition, elderly victims of sexual abuse may also fear retaliation from their caregiver or have generational stigmas that discourage them from reporting said abuse. It is believed that most incidents of rape inside nursing homes go unreported.

Sexual abuse within nursing homes is viewed as an especially grievous crime. The nursing home is intended to be a safe environment, existing to provide safety and care for all of its patients. In order to uphold a standard of safety, care, and trust, all nursing homes must establish safeguards to help prevent incidences of sexual abuse.

Measures to help prevent sexual abuse in nursing homes include:

• appropriate employee screening, staff training, individualized supervision, assessment of concerning behavior, and prompt responses to complaints or warning signs,
• security clearance for visitors,
• outer doors kept locked at night,
• frequent welfare checks on patients,
• removing high risk or sexually aggressive residents, and
• prompt investigations when suspected threats are reported.

It is also necessary that nursing home staff be trained to recognize and report sexual abuse. Caregivers and medical professionals are required by law to report any suspected case of abuse.

Lawsuits Regarding Elder Sexual Abuse and Rape in Nursing Homes

Case name	Case number	Facts of case, including filing venue
Jane Doe and Katrina Best v. Riverview Health and Rehabilitation et al.	n/a	Chatham County Superior Court, Georgia; filed September 14, 2026. Alleges an incapacitated resident was sexually assaulted by another resident with a documented history of sexual misconduct. Claims include inadequate supervision, protection, investigation, and disclosure to family.
Jane Does vs. The Palms La Mirada / La Mirada Heights and Jonathan Michael Alvarado	n/a	Los Angeles County Superior Court, California; filed March 9, 2026. Family alleges a volunteer musician sexually assaulted a 61-year-old resident with Alzheimer’s, with events captured by a camera installed by her daughter. September 2026 reporting described an ongoing civil lawsuit seeking $25 million (not an award).
Jane Does vs. The Manor	n/a	Vermont Superior Court; filed in early November 2025. Alleges gross negligence in hiring and supervising a nursing assistant who sexually abused a 95-year-old resident with dementia. Reporting identified a separate criminal guilty plea by the employee. (vermontdailychronicle.com)
Phyllis Robertson, as conservator of A.M., v. Arabella Health and Wellness of Grand Bay	n/a	Mobile County, Alabama; filed March 2025. Alleges a nonverbal, 21-year-old resident with disabilities was sexually abused by another resident despite prior warning signs. Family alleges delayed reporting and medical evaluation.
Kim Tran v. La Mirada Post Acute LLC et al.	25NWCV00196	Los Angeles County Superior Court, California; filed January 15, 2025. Alleges an employee physically and sexually assaulted an elderly resident. Defendants include the facility, La Mirada Post Acute and Sun Meridian Management Services LLC. (rulings.law)
John Roe, through guardian ad litem Janet Sutton, v. Garfield Nursing Home Inc. et al.	25CV105590	Alameda County Superior Court, California; filed January 3, 2025. Alleged resident-on-resident sexual assaults and a proposed amendment addressing an additional July 2025 assault. Listed defendants include Garfield Nursing Home Inc., Telecare Corporation, and individuals. (trellis.law)
Harney v. BLC Federal Way LH LLC d/b/a Brookdale Foundation House	State: 24-2-21033-4 KNT; Federal: 2:24-cv-01844-JCC	King County Superior Court, Washington; filed September 2024. Removed to the Western District of Washington November 7, 2024. Alleges two resident-on-resident sexual assaults involving a woman with dementia and inadequate protection after the first incident. A subsequent federal order records settlement-related dismissal with prejudice. Settlement amount confidential.
Resident’s lawsuit against Ojai Valley Assisted Living, Brian Merrill, and Lisa Lopez	n/a	Ventura County Superior Court, California; filed February 13, 2024. Brought on behalf of a 98-year-old resident, alleging sexual assault and elder neglect at The Artesian of Ojai. May 2026 reporting discusses the civil case and separate criminal proceedings. The facility subsequently changed operators.
Cheryl Doe and Robert Doe v. Windsor Oakridge Healthcare Center et al.	24CV062506	Alameda County Superior Court, California; filed February 2, 2024. Alleges repeated resident-on-resident rape, inadequate supervision, and failures to disclose and respond at Windsor Healthcare Center of Oakland. Complaint also names Los Angeles Nursing Homes LLC, Pacific Healthcare Holdings Inc., Rockport entities, and Shlomo Rechnitz.
R.S., through power of attorney Alice Sultemeier, v. Genesis Healthcare LLC et al.	D-202-CV-2023-05994	Second Judicial District Court, Bernalillo County, New Mexico; 2023 action. Alleges a Sandia Ridge Center resident with Alzheimer’s was sexually assaulted by another resident after prior behavioral warnings. Settled for $925,000 in May 2025, with liability denied.
Stephanie Sifrit, as personal representative of Janet Smith’s estate, v. 6305 Cortez Road West Operations LLC d/b/a Bradenton Health Care	23-CA-000582	Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, Manatee County, Florida; filed February 7, 2023. Alleges injuries suggestive of sexual assault and delayed care resulting in lost evidence.
Pfeiffer-Anderson v. Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society et al.	A-1-CA-40583 (appeal)	Underlying action: Bernalillo County District Court, New Mexico. Estate alleges a resident at Good Samaritan Society–Manzano del Sol Village suffered sexual assault by another resident because of negligent care.
Estate of Deena J. Glaves et al. v. Mapleton Andover LLC	6:21-cv-01037	U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. Estate alleges rape by a nursing assistant and failures involving hiring and supervision.
State of Arizona v. Heritage Village Bldg2 LLC et al.	CV2024-005359	Maricopa County Superior Court, Arizona; 2024 government enforcement action. Broader elder-abuse and consumer-fraud litigation involving allegations of violence and sexual assaults by residents and staff. January 2026 settlement barred settling owners and their companies from vulnerable-adult care ownership/management in Arizona and imposed $100,000 in civil penalties. Other parties remained in litigation. (www.azag.gov)
New York attorney general vs. Fulton Commons Care Center and related parties	n/a	New York state court; filed December 2022. Broader financial-fraud and resident-mistreatment case included sexual abuse and reporting failures. March 2024 resolution required monitoring, reforms, and financial obligations totaling up to $8.6 million. Separately, the facility pleaded guilty to attempted falsification of sexual-abuse-related records in Nassau County Court. The $8.6 million was not an individual survivor’s award. (ag.ny.gov)

These examples are drawn from publicly available court records and news reports and illustrate sexual abuse claims involving nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Allegations in a complaint are not findings of fact or liability, nor the work of this firm. Settlements do not necessarily constitute admissions of wrongdoing, and amounts sought are not amounts awarded or paid. Summaries reflect the sources and dates identified; case status may have changed. Each case involves unique facts and applicable law, and the outcomes described do not guarantee or predict results in any other matter.

Speak with our Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today

As nursing home sexual abuse lawyers at Senior Justice Law Firm with years of experience in the field, we have handled more than one hundred (100) sexual assault cases against nursing homes. In some cases, the allegations involved a resident-on-resident sexual assault. In others, the allegations involve a staff member inappropriately fondling residents.

Regardless of who the perpetrator is, our experienced nursing home sexual abuse attorneys are here to help you through this trying time. Call us now to discuss your potential options. Our compassionate, caring nursing home abuse attorneys are available now at 1-888-375-9998.