Justice for Residents Podcast

Ever wonder what defenses nursing homes use when they are accused of neglect? Facilities often rely on predictable arguments to avoid responsibility and reduce payouts. Understanding these tactics is the first step in overcoming them. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Jeff Braintwain to discuss the most common defense strategies used in nursing home litiga...

Did your loved one sign away their right to a jury trial without knowing it? Arbitration agreements can make it harder for families to seek justice after nursing home neglect or abuse. Sometimes, winning the case starts with defeating the arbitration clause. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Blake Dickson to discuss creative and effective arguments for cha...

What happens when the documents tell a different story than the witness? Rule 30(b)(6) depositions allow attorneys to question nursing home representatives about records, policies, and corporate knowledge. These depositions can uncover important evidence that might otherwise stay hidden. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Mark Kosieradski to discuss how to...

How do you get an expert witness to admit the standard of care? The answer often determines whether a nursing home negligence case succeeds or fails. Asking the right questions can uncover critical opinions and strengthen your case. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Dr. Ken Stein to talk about strategies for establishing the standard of care during expert...

Should you save cross examination for trial, or use it during a deposition? The right questions can expose weaknesses, lock in testimony, and change the course of a case. Knowing when and how to challenge a witness is a valuable skill for any litigator. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Roger Dodd to discuss effective cross-examination techniques during de...

Could a nursing home resident suffer a stroke while staff fail to recognize the warning signs? Delayed recognition and treatment can lead to permanent disability or death. Knowing when a missed stroke crosses the line into negligence is critical. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Caleb McEntire to talk about stroke symptoms, nursing home responsibilities,...

Can structured care management actually reduce falls in assisted living? Prevention programs work, but only when properly designed and followed. Data shows meaningful results when facilities commit to change. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guests Hiroko Kiyoshi-Teo and Claire McKinley Yoder to discuss fall prevention care management and real-world outcomes.

Could too many medications be causing your loved one to fall? Polypharmacy is a major risk factor in nursing homes and often goes unchecked. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Jay Durek to explain how multiple medications impact fall risk and what caregivers should be doing to prevent it.

What are the risks and responsibilities when using a PICC line in a nursing home? Improper management can lead to infection, complications, or worse. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Alice Darby to discuss how PICC lines are used in long-term care and what families should know about their safety.

In this special 300th episode, nursing home abuse attorney Rob Schenk sits down with Will Smith for a unique and thought-provoking conversation. Together, they reflect on the biggest lessons learned, the impact of storytelling, and how advocacy continues to evolve through the Nursing Home Abuse Podcast.

What happens when a nursing home resident wanders away unnoticed? Elopement can lead to serious injury or death and often points to staffing and supervision failures. These cases raise major safety and legal issues. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Kristen Lojewski to talk about elopement cases and how nursing homes can be held accountable.

Is anyone really coordinating care in nursing homes? Interdisciplinary teams are meant to improve outcomes, but they often fall short. Poor teamwork can lead to missed care and preventable injuries. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Barbara Resnick to discuss the current state of interdisciplinary care teams and where improvement is needed.

What does a normal day really look like inside a nursing home? From meals to medications to staffing gaps, daily routines reveal a lot about quality of care. Small failures can add up to serious harm. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Irene Nobles to walk through a typical day for nursing home residents and what families should watch for.

How do you know a resident with dementia is in pain if they can't speak? Too often, pain goes untreated because staff miss the signs. Proper assessment tools can change that. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Nicole Dawson to talk about pain assessment tools for nonverbal residents with dementia.

Can the wrong mattress cause a pressure injury? Support surfaces play a major role in preventing painful and dangerous wounds. When nursing homes cut corners, residents suffer. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Michelle Swanger to discuss how support surfaces should be selected and used to prevent pressure injuries.

Are falls in assisted living really unavoidable? Many falls are caused by poor assessments, unsafe environments, and missed warning signs. With the right steps, most falls can be prevented. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Cassy Plaisir to talk about effective fall prevention strategies in assisted living facilities.

Why do some wounds never seem to heal in nursing homes? Certain medical conditions can slow healing and increase the risk of infection if not properly managed. Nursing homes must account for these risks in care planning. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Dennis Collins to break down five clinical conditions that commonly interfere with wound healing.

Does being mobile in bed mean a resident doesn't need regular turning? Not exactly. Confusion around mobility and repositioning can lead to dangerous pressure injuries. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Michelle Edwards to break down the difference and explain what real preventative care looks like.

Is malnutrition quietly harming nursing home residents every day? Poor nutrition can slow healing, weaken immunity, and increase the risk of death. Many of these outcomes are preventable with proper screening and care. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Lisa Moloney to talk about evidence-based guidelines for preventing and treating malnutrition in older ad...

How do you know if a resident with dementia is in pain? For many nursing home patients, cognitive issues make it hard to speak up—and their pain often goes untreated. Missed signs can lead to unnecessary suffering. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Katherine Reab to talk about how pain should be recognized and managed in residents with cognitive impairment...

What did Winter Storm Uri reveal about nursing home preparedness? The deadly storm exposed serious gaps in emergency planning and care continuity. For many residents, it became a matter of life or death. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Brian Downer to discuss how Winter Storm Uri impacted nursing home mortality and health care use—and what lessons should...

One fall can change everything for an elderly nursing home resident. Hospitalizations from falls are common—and often preventable with proper care. Prevention starts with awareness and planning. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Laura Chung to talk about fall-related injuries, hospitalizations, and what nursing homes must do to keep residents safe.

Why do some assisted living facilities keep getting cited—but never improve? In Florida, repeat violations reveal ongoing care failures that put residents at risk. These persistent problems often go unchecked for years. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Hari Sharma to explore the troubling trends in Florida ALFs and what can be done to hold them accountabl...

Can a bruise turn into a life-threatening injury? Deep tissue injuries (DTIs) often go unnoticed in nursing homes until they become serious wounds. These injuries are painful, preventable, and a red flag for neglect. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Bridget Carey to discuss pressure injuries, DTIs, and what families should watch for to keep residents safe...

Are nursing home falls really just "accidents," or signs of a deeper problem? Many falls are the result of poor planning, understaffing, or missed warning signs. These systemic issues put residents at constant risk. In this week's episode, nursing home abuse lawyer Rob Schenk welcomes guest Brianna de Oro to talk about what causes nursing home falls and how facilities can—and should—do more to pre...