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Long-Term Care Negligence and Elder Abuse Lawyers In London Ontario

Liability of Long-Term Care Facilities and Retirement Homes

Retirement and Care Homes Lawyers

The Long-Term Care Homes Act and the Retirement Homes Act mandate the level of care to be provided to residents of long-term care facilities, nursing homes and retirement homes. Yet, statistics are released daily indicating that the greatest number of those contracting COVID-19 and those dying from the virus reside or work in these facilities.

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Understanding Resident Rights

All facilities in Ontario that provide residential care for the elderly are governed by provincial legislation that mandates the level of care. Why are these homes particularly susceptible to COVID-19? Even before the pandemic, there were several reports of long-term care homes and nursing homes being understaffed, and there were reports of abuse and neglect. During this pandemic there are several reports of insufficient testing of residents and staff, insufficient quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE) and insufficient efforts of physical distancing measures being implemented in these homes.

There are some steps that you can take to lodge a complaint about the level of care your loved one is receiving. If your family member contracts COVID-19 and this results in serious illness or death then you may advance a lawsuit.

Abuse and Neglect

You rely on long-term care and nursing homes to care for your family members and provide for their physical and mental wellbeing. While abuse and neglect can occur for a number of reasons, they may be a symptom of a larger problem within the facility, such as understaffing.

Wrongful Death

When a resident dies due to the negligence of a care facility, family members may commence a claim. The lawyers at Beckett are here to help provide answers and guide families.

Fighting for Frontline Workers

Frontline workers have continued to work with residents of retirement homes and long-term care facilities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, often at great risk to their own health. There are numerous reports of administrators failing to provide an adequate supply of PPE to its workers and failing to have testing and policies in place to ensure that its employees can provide care without jeopardizing their own health.

If you are an employee of a retirement home or long-term care facility who contracted COVID-19 from your workplace then you may be able to pursue compensation for your pain and suffering, income loss, cost of treatment and out-of-pocket expenses.

How to File a Complaint

If you have concerns about the care a loved one is receiving, there are several ways you can make an inquiry or complaint. Our injury lawyers are available to talk you through your options.

Make a complaint to staff or management

Care facilities are required to investigate all complaints and submit a report of their investigation to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Contact the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

It can be reached via the Ministry’s ACTION line at 1-866-434-0144. You may also write a letter to the Director, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Performance Improvement and Compliance Branch (11th Floor, 1075 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2B1).

File a complaint with the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority
If you are concerned with the level of care within a retirement home, a complaint form can be downloaded here

“I suffered lower back injuries in a car crash which forced me to retire early. I lost everything after the accident and even had to go bankrupt. The insurance company refused to settle the case and Chris Beckett took my case to trial. The Jury awarded more than three times what we offered to settle for. Now I can live the rest of my life comfortably.”

-Leon, London, ON

Frequently Asked Questions

Long-term care negligence may occur when a nursing home, retirement residence, caregiver, or facility fails to provide residents with an appropriate standard of care. This can include inadequate supervision, medication errors, poor hygiene practices, dehydration, malnutrition, untreated infections, preventable falls, or failure to respond to medical concerns in a timely manner. Negligence claims often examine whether the facility took reasonable steps to protect the health, safety, and dignity of residents.

There are several categories of damages involved in most injury claims. Some or all of these types of damages may apply depending on the facts of your case:

A resident who is injured may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, past and future health care and housekeeping expenses.

Family members may be entitled to compensation for the loss of care, guidance and companionship they would have received had their loved one not been ill/injured.

Family members may also claim lost income, travel and funeral expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Potentially, yes. Long-term care homes and elder care facilities may be legally responsible when staff members, caregivers, or administrators engage in abusive conduct or fail to provide proper care to residents. Claims may involve allegations of inadequate staffing, poor employee training, negligent supervision, or failures to investigate complaints and safety concerns. Liability depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the resident’s care and treatment.

If you suspect elder abuse or neglect, it is important to document concerns as thoroughly as possible. Photographs, medical records, notes regarding conversations with staff, and observations about changes in the resident’s condition may become important later. Families should also consider reporting concerns to facility management, regulatory authorities, or law enforcement depending on the seriousness of the situation. Seeking legal guidance early may help preserve evidence and protect the resident’s rights.

In some situations, repeated falls, bedsores, infections, dehydration, or medication mistakes may indicate failures in supervision, staffing, or resident care practices. While not every medical complication automatically means negligence occurred, patterns of preventable injuries or deteriorating conditions may raise concerns about the quality of care being provided. Investigations often examine staffing levels, medical records, care plans, and whether proper safety procedures were followed.

A long-term care negligence lawyer can help families investigate concerns involving elder abuse, neglect, preventable injuries, or inadequate care within nursing homes and care facilities. This may involve reviewing medical records, preserving evidence, consulting experts, and determining whether legal action may be appropriate. At Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers, we assist families throughout London Ontario and Southwestern Ontario with claims involving long-term care negligence and elder abuse.