Nursing Home Claims: Effective Prosecution, Preliminary Investigations, and Defense Strategies (2025 Edition)

Michael Brusca | Davis & Brusca, LLC

Since 2009, Michael has devoted his practice to representing vulnerable people and their families in abuse, neglect, and death cases in nursing homes, rehabs, assisted living facilities, group homes, and hospitals. He is one of a select few lawyers in New Jersey to truly concentrate their practice in this area.

He shares his knowledge on this important topic by regularly lecturing around the country and teaching other lawyers to prosecute these claims the right way. He has also been consulted by reporters and law enforcement in this field. Michael has been published many times, including in the New Jersey Law Journal and in “Trial” – the national attorney magazine published & disseminated by the American Association for Justice.

He is the past chairman of the Executive Board of the National Nursing Home Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice. Michael brings a unique perspective to his work. He himself has lost family members in institutions and he knows, first-hand, what it’s like to see someone you care about struggle and die. He uses that passion and understanding to bring about justice for his clients.

Michael is a highly skilled and experienced advocate. Prior to entering private practice, Michael served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force, where he tried many cases all over the world, including Japan, Qatar and Kuwait.

In New Jersey, he was lead counsel for the plaintiff in the case of Dwyer v. Harborview, which generated the largest nursing home verdict to date: $13.2 Million. While the verdict was later the subject of post-trial motions and an appeal, and ultimately settled for a different amount, the results demonstrate Michael’s considerable skill in the courtroom. Please note, every case is unique, and no specific case or outcome can predict future results.

I. What these cases are really about | 2:00pm – 2:15pm

II. Preliminary investigations | 2:15pm – 2:30pm

III. Discovery | 2:30pm – 2:45pm

IV. Depositions | 2:45pm – 3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

V. Defenses | 3:10pm – 3:25pm

VI. Experts | 3:25pm – 3:40pm