PHOENIX ASSISTED LIVING ABUSE ATTORNEYS
Experienced Assisted Living Abuse Lawyers
If your loved one was abused or neglected in an assisted living home, Miller Kory Rowe will fight to uncover the truth and pursue justice on their behalf. Our experienced lawyers build strong cases that expose wrongdoing, demand accountability, and seek the full compensation your family deserves.
Arizona-Wide Representation
Offices in Phoenix, Tucson & Globe
AZ Board Certified Specialist*
in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
No Cost or Fees
Unless We Win
Assisted Living Abuse Is Not an Accident, It Is a Failure of Duty
Abuse in assisted living facilities doesn’t happen by chance. It’s a failure of duty, trust, and basic human decency.
When your loved one is mistreated, ignored, or injured, it means someone wasn’t doing their job, or worse, chose to cause harm or look the other way.
Taking legal action isn’t just a way to get answers. It’s how you make sure the people responsible are held fully accountable.
Whether the abuse was caused by a staff member, enabled by poor oversight, or the result of systemic neglect, the law is clear: assisted living facilities must answer for the harm they allow.
Understanding Assisted Living Abuse in Arizona
Assisted living abuse can take many forms. Some visible, others hidden behind polite smiles and locked doors. Under Arizona law, facilities must provide a safe, supportive environment for residents. When they fail, it’s not just a breach of trust. It’s a legal violation.
Each year, Arizona’s Adult Protective Services receives tens of thousands of reports of vulnerable adult maltreatment. In fiscal year 2022 alone, there were 25,468 reported cases statewide, with over 14,800 in Maricopa County, a five-year high.
National studies show that nearly 28 percent of assisted living residents report some form of abuse or neglect, underscoring how widespread the problem can be even within regulated facilities.
Types of Assisted Living Abuse Cases and Red Flags
Common Case Types:
- Physical abuse or unexplained injuries
- Emotional or psychological mistreatment
- Neglect of basic needs (hygiene, nutrition, medication)
- Financial exploitation or theft
Warning Signs:
- Sudden mood changes or withdrawal
- Bedsores, bruises, or frequent falls
- Poor hygiene or signs of dehydration
- Missing personal items or money
Arizona Assisted Living Care Requirements
Assisted living facilities in Arizona must meet specific care standards, including:
- Maintaining a safe environment
- Providing adequate nutrition and medication
- Respecting residents’ rights and dignity
When these standards are ignored, it can result in both civil liability and regulatory penalties. Proving violations requires careful review of facility records and expert testimony. MKR handles this with precision.
Arizona Law Protects Your Rights
Arizona law sets clear standards for assisted living facilities, including requirements for staffing, training, medication management, and the protection of residents’ rights. These obligations are outlined in the Arizona Administrative Code § R9-10-810 and related provisions governing facility operations.
When these standards are violated, the Arizona Department of Health Services may impose licensing sanctions. Families also have the right to pursue civil legal action for abuse, neglect, or other forms of mistreatment.
Understanding Compensation in Assisted Living Abuse Cases
Assisted living abuse can result in serious physical, emotional, and financial harm, both for the resident and their family. Arizona law allows victims to pursue civil compensation to hold facilities and caregivers accountable for neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation.
Economic Damages
These cover measurable financial losses caused by the abuse, including:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Ongoing care or rehabilitation expenses
- Costs of relocating to a safer facility
- Replacement of damaged or stolen personal property
- Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death cases
Non-Economic Damages
These address the personal suffering and trauma caused by the abuse:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of dignity and personal autonomy
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish experienced by both the resident and family
Punitive Damages
In cases of extreme misconduct, such as intentional abuse, repeated violations, or corporate cover-ups, Arizona courts may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar abuse in other facilities.
Compensation in assisted living abuse cases is not just about reimbursement. It is about justice, accountability, and giving families the resources they need to recover and move forward with peace of mind.
Understanding Arizona Assisted Living Abuse Claims
Assisted living abuse cases are governed by civil negligence laws and supported by Arizona statutes that set clear legal duties for licensed facilities. (A.R.S. § 46-455)
To succeed in a claim, four legal elements must be proven:
Duty of Care
Assisted living facilities are legally required to provide safe, respectful, and competent care. This includes medication management, adequate nutrition, hygiene, and protecting residents from known risks.
Breach of Duty
A breach occurs when staff or administrators fail to meet these obligations. For example, by ignoring medical needs, mishandling medication, failing to prevent abuse, or leaving residents unsupervised.
Causation
There must be a direct link between the facility’s negligence and the harm suffered. Medical records, expert analysis, and internal facility reports often help establish this connection.
Damages
Families must show that the resident suffered measurable harm. This can include medical bills, therapy costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the need to relocate to a safer facility.
Successfully proving these elements often requires legal expertise and input from medical professionals, geriatric care experts, or facility compliance specialists. At Miller Kory Rowe, we guide families through every step, investigating what went wrong, building a compelling case, and holding negligent facilities accountable under Arizona law.
Legal Protections for Arizona Assisted Living Abuse Cases
Families can take action through the following protections:
Protective Court Orders
In urgent or dangerous situations, families can petition the court for emergency guardianship or removal orders to protect a loved one from further harm.
Victims’ Bill of Rights
Arizona residents in care facilities are guaranteed the right to safe treatment, dignity, and protection from abuse or neglect.
Marsy’s Law
Families have the right to be informed of investigations, legal proceedings, and any hearings involving abuse or mistreatment under this constitutional amendment.
Civil Lawsuits
Victims and their families may file lawsuits to recover compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, and pain and suffering caused by abuse or neglect.
Punitive Damages
When the conduct is especially egregious or willfully negligent, Arizona law allows courts to award punitive damages designed to punish wrongdoers and deter future abuse.
Building Your Assisted Living Abuse Case in Arizona
Our detailed and focused approach to assisted living abuse investigations includes:
Immediate Evidence Collection
- Reviewing medical records and incident reports for signs of neglect or abuse
- Interviewing staff, residents, and family members to uncover patterns or warnings
- Securing surveillance footage, facility logs, and staffing schedules
- Documenting the resident’s condition and environment at the time of the alleged abuse
Expert Consultations
We collaborate with:
- Geriatric care experts to assess whether proper care standards were followed
- Medical professionals to evaluate injuries, neglect, or medication errors
- Long-term care specialists to estimate future needs and recovery potential
- Mental health experts to assess the emotional and psychological toll
Regulatory and Compliance Review
Our attorneys examine:
- Facility inspection reports and prior complaints filed with state agencies
- Staff training records, certifications, and disciplinary history
- Violations of Arizona’s elder care laws and Department of Health Services standards
- Corporate ownership and systemic failures in hiring, supervision, or staffing
Helpful Resources for Arizona Residents
Arizona Department of Health Services – Long-Term Care Licensing
Adult Protective Services (APS) – Report Abuse
Arizona Ombudsman – Assisted Living Complaints
State Bar of Arizona – Legal Help
Take the First Step Toward Justice and Healing
You are not alone. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse, Miller Kory Rowe is here to stand with you. We listen. We understand. We fight.
Request a free, confidential consultation today.
What to Expect When Working With Us
We understand that pursuing a claim can feel daunting. Our team will guide you through each step of the process.
1. Initial Consultation
We listen closely to your concerns, explain your rights, and make sure the resident’s immediate safety is addressed from the start. This consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
2. Investigation Phase
If we take your case, we’ll gather all necessary medical records and consult with expert witnesses to build a strong foundation for your claim.
3. Claim Development
We’ll calculate the full extent of your damages and prepare comprehensive settlement demands or legal filings.
4. Negotiation or Litigation
We’ll pursue fair compensation through negotiation when possible, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Real Client Testimonials
Our dedication to achieving successful outcomes for our clients is reflected in the authentic stories they share in our testimonials.
Many of these families came to us after discovering neglect in a nursing home or care facility.
“Teri Rowe and the team at MKR are highly recommended. My family and I went to Teri under the worst of circumstances and she was always kind, comforting, and helpful. Our case was complicated, sad, confusing and frustrating. She managed everything wonderfully. Our family lawyer referred us to Teri because Teri has a reputation for being the best. She definitely lives up to her reputation.”
— Michael Stenoien
“My sisters and I couldn’t have made a better choice by choosing Miller Kory Rowe to represent us. From day one to the end, their empathy, their professionalism and their confidence in our case never wavered. We were given the faith and they kept it. Their approach was completely professional but their concern for our case was equally personal. They took into account every little detail. They valued for us, our family values and ensured justice was done. We now have complete closure that this lawsuit is behind us, we can move forward knowing that we got some measure of justice for the harm done to our mother. Thank you so much Liz, Gabe and Stephanie.”
— Sherrie Dudek
“From our initial consultation to our final settlement. Miller, Kory and Rowe was with us every step of the way. Gabe and team kept us abreast of any updates on the case in a timely fashion and were always, often within minutes of an email, to walk us through what was happening in our case or clarify any questions we may have.
MKR’s compassion and thoughtfulness was genuine and was able to ease our minds in what was a difficult time with the passing of our mom. Gabe’s experience with these cases was very evident in our interactions and we had the utmost confidence in his representation. I would highly recommend MKR if you are ever in need of an attorney.”
— Joseph Shown
At Miller Kory Rowe, we are not afraid to take cases to trial. We are Arizona litigators with deep experience handling serious injury and wrongful death claims for families across the state.
Every case is prepared with the courtroom in mind. That level of preparation strengthens our strategy, builds trust with our clients, and puts pressure on the defense. We work with respected experts, craft compelling exhibits, and uncover the details that help juries understand the truth.
Whether your case involves medical negligence, elder abuse, or another form of life-changing harm, our focus stays the same: clear answers and meaningful results.
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