legal resources necessary to hold negligent facilities accountable.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that often goes unreported. Nursing home abuse can take many different forms, from physical abuse to neglect.
It's important to be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse so that you can report it if you see it happening.
Do you suspect nursing home abuse? If so, don't hesitate to speak up and get help. Call the personal injury lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center are legal advocates for nursing residents injured by staff members, other patients, visitors, family members, and friends.
Contact the California nursing home abuse attorney at (800) 926-7565 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
A Growing Problem
Nursing home abuse is a growing problem in the United States. More facilities face staffing issues and provide inadequate training for the tasks asked of their employees. With staff stretched thin, many nursing homes have tense environments, pushing employees to commit nursing home abuse.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms but is most commonly committed by over-worked and underpaid staff members. This abuse can be physical, emotional, financial, or even sexual in nature. It can also be neglect or failure to take care of an elderly person who can no longer look after themselves.
The best way to prevent nursing home abuse is to speak up if you see something that doesn't seem right. Do you believe that your loved one is being abused? If so, contact a Los Angeles nursing home abuse lawyer immediately.
Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect In Los Angeles Facilities
Are you a family member of someone living in a nursing facility? If so, it is crucial to be aware of any potential for abuse.
Nursing home abuse in Los Angeles, CA, can take many forms, from physical violence to neglect. It is crucial to be alert to the signs of abuse and know what steps to take if you suspect that your loved one is being mistreated.
- Know the signs and risks of nursing home abuse
- Be able to spot and report cases of nursing home abuse
- Learn about the signs for you or your loved ones that could involve physical assault, mental pain, emotional abuse, inappropriate sexual contact, or financial exploitation
- Document any potential cases with photo/video evidence
- Make a change in how we care for our elders in nursing homes
- Report any abuse or neglect to authorities if you see it happening
- Consult a professional when needed
Hopefully, your loved one is living in a nursing facility with highly trained staff members and experienced professionals who treat the residents with the utmost respect and care. These facilities should understand that dementia and the aging process make individuals more vulnerable, requiring extra precaution to ensure their safety and well-being.
When a Nursing Home Resident is Exposed to Common Injuries from Abuse, Neglect, and Mistreatment
Elder neglect, abuse, and mistreatment are unfortunately very common in nursing homes. There are a number of reasons for physical harm, emotional abuse, or any form of elder abuse, including:
- Staffing shortages and lack of training
- Tense environments due to overcrowding
- Low pay and high stress levels
- Lack of oversight by authorities
- Poor communication among staff members
- Elderly residents who are unable to defend themselves
The result of all this is that residents are often exposed to common injuries from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Nursing home negligence or abuse could be apparent through:
- Bruising from hitting or physical restraint
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Welts from being beaten
- Unexpected weight loss
- Pressure sores from being left in the same position for too long
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Falling down and breaking bones
If you see any of these injuries in your loved one, it is important to speak up and get help. You may be able to get the nursing home staff or team member arrested and prosecuted for their actions. You can also file a lawsuit against the nursing home for damages paid by the facility's insurance company.
How to Spot the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It is not always easy to spot the signs of nursing home abuse, as many victims are afraid to speak up. However, there are some common indicators that can help you identify abuse and neglect.
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or welts on the body
- Wrist marks from unapproved physical restraints
- Burns, particularly around the genital area, mouth, or hands
- Pressure sores or bedsores, which can be an indication of neglect or lack of proper care
- Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or agitated
- Unexplained weight loss or malnutrition
- Frequent illnesses or infections from lack of acceptable medical care
- Poor hygiene, or a lack of personal care
- Missing items and funds (financial abuse)
If you see any of these signs in your loved one, it is important to speak up and get help. You may be able to get the nursing home staff member arrested and prosecuted for their actions. You can also file a lawsuit against the nursing home for damages.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, it is important to take action right away. Here are some steps you can take:
- Speak to the victim. If they are able to communicate, ask them if anyone has been hurting them or neglecting them.
- Talk to other family members and caregivers. See if they have noticed anything strange or suspicious happening in the nursing home.
- Document any abuse with photo or video evidence.
- Report the abuse to authorities. The National Center on Elder Abuse can help you find the appropriate agency to contact.
- Consult a professional about your options. A Los Angeles nursing home abuse lawyer can advise you on whether you should file a lawsuit against the nursing home.
It is important to remember that you are not alone in this. There are many people who can help you get through this difficult time. You can get support from family members, friends, victim advocates, and lawyers. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
If you see any of these injuries in your loved one, it is important to speak up and get help. You may be able to get the nursing home staff member arrested and prosecuted for their actions. You can also file a lawsuit against the nursing home for damages.
When Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Bed Sores
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 2.5 million people in the United States are currently living with bed sores, and almost half of those people developed them while in a nursing home.
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, pressure wounds, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that occur when someone is left in the same position for too long.
Pressure wounds are not just a result of poor hygiene, but from prolonged pressure on the skin. This can be caused by a number of things, such as lying in bed for an extended period of time, being seated in a wheelchair for long periods of time, or being restrained.
When nursing home neglect leads to bed sores, it can be incredibly painful for the victim and can often result in death. In fact, bed sores are the leading cause of death in nursing home residents.
Does your loved one have unexplained injuries? If so, speak up and get help. You may be able to get the nursing home staff member arrested and prosecuted for their actions. You can also file a lawsuit against the nursing home for damages.
When Elderly Abuse Involves Sexual Abuse
Senior citizens, disabled individuals and the infirm living in nursing homes are subjected to sexual assault that could range from inappropriate touching to non-consensual sexual contact.
According to the National Institute of Aging, sexual abuse is a common occurrence in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The inappropriate behavior can involve someone touching someone else in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or scared.
Sexual assault against a senior citizen might involve a staff member, doctor, physical therapist, rehabilitative specialist, wound care nurse, facility employee, family member, friends, visitors, and other patients.
Inappropriate sexual behavior could include:
- Rape or sodomy
- Non-consensual touching
- Exposure to pornography
- Obscene gestures
- Verbal abuse resulting in emotional or psychological abuse
- Making lewd comments
In some cases, individuals in skilled nursing facilities are threatened or coerced into sexual activity. This can be especially traumatic if the victim is unable to defend themselves physically or verbally.
Sexual abuse against those with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or memory loss is especially heinous when the victim cannot speak up nor defend themselves.
Do you suspect your loved one has been sexually abused? Family members can take immediate legal action by notifying Adult Protective services, reaching out to community programs, and speaking with an attorney who can hold the sexual predator legally and financially accountable.
When sexual molestation happens, the victim may feel alone and scared, not knowing what to do. It is important to speak up if this happens to you or someone you know to get help from family, friends, victim advocates, and lawyers.
Nursing Home Abuse Cases Leading to Wrongful Death
Every surviving family member has a legal right to seek financial compensation if their loved one died by nursing home negligence, abusive behavior, or intent.
Many times, wrongful death in nursing homes can be the result of abuse or neglect. Nursing home abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional, and often involves caregiver neglect, leading to serious injuries or death.
For example, a resident may fall and break a hip due to a lack of supervision by the staff, or they may develop bedsores from being left in the same position for too long. If a resident dies from any of these injuries, their family may be able to file a lawsuit against the nursing home for wrongful death.
Families of nursing home residents who have died as a result of abuse or neglect are often left with a lot of questions.
- Who is responsible for the death?
- How can I get justice for my loved one?
- What do I need to do next?
An experienced wrongful death attorney can help you answer these questions and guide you through the legal process. They will work to get you the financial compensation you deserve for your loss.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse FAQ
Our nursing home abuse lawyers understand that many families have unanswered questions about dealing directly with an insurance company to hold a nursing home accountable for injuries or death. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney has answered some of those questions below.
Contact our law office at (800) 926-7565 or use the contact form today for additional information on our legal services or schedule a free case review. Let our experienced lawyers obtain justice on your behalf for your loved one's injuries.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you have lost a loved one as a result of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, the experienced wrongful death attorneys at our law firm can help. We understand how difficult it is seeking Justice and we are here to help. Our law firm will work to get you the financial compensation you deserve for your loss.
Please contact Los Angeles, CA Law Offices today at (800) 926-7565 or use the contact form for additional information, immediate legal representation, or schedule a free legal consultation. Let our legal team obtain justice on your behalf for your loved one's injuries.
Our law firm accepts every nursing home abuse lawsuit on a contingency fee basis. This agreement ensures that you will owe us nothing until your nursing home abuse lawyer obtains maximum compensation available to resolve your claim.