We are proud to share that Lanzone Morgan, LLP founding partner Anthony Lanzone was recently welcomed as a featured guest on the Love Conquers Alz podcast. Hosted by Susie Singer Carter and Don Priess, the program is a leading voice for the Alzheimer’s and dementia community, providing support and resources for families navigating the complexities of cognitive decline.
In this special two-part series, Anthony joined the hosts to bridge the gap between clinical care and legal advocacy. His appearance highlights Lanzone Morgan, LLP’s ongoing commitment to not only litigating cases but also educating the public on how to protect their most vulnerable loved ones from systemic neglect.
Shining a Light on the Arbitration Trap
A central theme of the episodes’ discussion was the pervasive use of arbitration agreements in long-term care facilities. Anthony explained that these documents are often tucked away in a 50-page admission packet, presented to families during the high-stress moment of moving a loved one into a home.
By initialing these clauses, families unknowingly forfeit their right to a jury trial, moving any potential dispute into a private, often biased forum. Anthony’s insights provided a roadmap for families on how to spot these clauses and, importantly, their right to decline them without losing their spot in the facility.
Addressing the Systemic Roots of Neglect
Moving beyond individual cases, Anthony provided an insider’s view of the nursing home industry. He detailed the shift toward private equity ownership, explaining how profit-driven staffing models are often the root cause of the neglect seen in many facilities today.
Anthony clarified the significant legal hurdles families encounter, particularly the distinction between simple negligence and the higher standard of proof required for elder neglect. In many jurisdictions, proving neglect requires demonstrating a reckless or intentional disregard for a resident’s health and safety. Lanzone Morgan, LLP’s nursing home abuse attorneys have extensive experience in clearing this bar by meticulously connecting the dots between corporate-level staffing decisions and the specific injuries suffered at the bedside, ensuring that “accidents” are recognized for the systemic failures they truly are.
Beyond the courtroom, Anthony detailed how large corporations often utilize complex legal structures and shell companies to shield their assets from liability and public scrutiny. He explained that piercing these veils requires a high level of legal knowledge to trace the flow of management and money back to the responsible parties. Furthermore, he highlighted how statutory caps on damages and government liens, such as Medicare or CMS reimbursements, can drastically impact a family’s final recovery.
By prioritizing strategic legal planning from the outset, Lanzone Morgan, LLP works to navigate these financial complexities, ensuring that the recovery serves the needs of the victim rather than being lost to bureaucratic red tape.
Empowering the Caregiver as an Advocate
One of the most impactful segments of the interview focused on the power of the caregiver. Anthony described the family as the first line of defense. He shared practical, actionable advice on documenting harm, stressing that consistent, dated photographs of injuries such as bedsores or unexplained bruising are the most powerful tools a legal team can have when fighting for justice.
"If something feels wrong, it probably is. Your documentation is the voice for your loved one when they can no longer speak for themselves."
A Shared Mission for Change
At Lanzone Morgan, LLP, we believe that every case we take is an opportunity for systemic change. Anthony’s appearance on Love Conquers Alz underscores our firm’s mission to hold facilities accountable so that the standard of care improves for everyone.
We invite our clients, colleagues, and friends to listen to this insightful series and join us in the fight for elder dignity.
The following content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.