DO YOU SUSPECT ABUSE OR NEGLECT? Contact Us for a Free Consultation

by

If you suspect that your parent has been abused or neglected in a North County San Diego nursing home or assisted living facility, taking swift and decisive action is crucial. The consequences of elder neglect and abuse can be devastating, not only compromising the health and safety of your loved one but also causing irreparable harm to their emotional well-being. Southern California Nursing Home Law Group is here to support you and your family every step of the way, with over 20 years of experience representing victims of elder neglect and abuse. Our team is deeply committed to seeking justice for vulnerable seniors and ensuring that negligent facilities are held accountable for their actions.

Neglect and abuse in nursing homes can take many forms. Common types of neglect include failing to provide basic medical care, improper wound care for bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration, inadequate hygiene, and medication errors. In some cases, vulnerable seniors are left in soiled clothing for hours, experience prolonged isolation, or suffer from dangerous falls because of inadequate supervision or poor safety measures. These conditions are not merely oversights; they are violations of the duty of care that nursing homes owe to their residents. Elder abuse may also present as physical, emotional, or even financial harm, where residents are subjected to physical assaults, emotional torment, or exploitation of their finances by staff members. Any signs of bruising, rapid weight loss, behavioral changes, or unexplained injuries warrant immediate investigation and action.

The consequences of neglect and abuse in nursing homes can be severe, leading to long-term physical complications, psychological trauma, or even premature death. For families already grappling with the emotional burden of entrusting a loved one to the care of others, discovering mistreatment can be heart-wrenching. This is why holding nursing homes accountable is not just about seeking compensation for the harm caused; it’s also about promoting systemic change in the industry. When facilities are allowed to operate negligently without repercussions, more families stand to suffer the same fate. Pursuing justice sends a strong message that negligent behavior will not be tolerated, and it may prevent future incidents from occurring.

Continue reading

by

Is malnutrition in an Orange County nursing home or assisted-living facility a result of nursing home neglect? The answer to this question is not always straightforward. Malnutrition can be difficult to identify, and in some cases, it can result from health issues that affect the resident. At the same time, malnutrition can be the result of elder abuse or neglect. Accordingly, it is important for anyone with a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility in California to understand the causes of malnutrition and common signs of malnutrition linked to elder abuse and neglect. An experienced Orange County nursing home neglect lawyer can provide you with more information, and we can speak with you today about taking action if an elderly loved one has experienced harmful malnutrition in a Southern California facility.

Learning More About Malnutrition

What is malnutrition? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is a term that “refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy or nutrients.” It can take different forms, including the form known as “undernutrition,” which tends to result in the most harm for elderly Americans. Undernutrition can involve wasting, being underweight, and having important micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies. While malnutrition can affect people worldwide of any age, it tends to have the most significant impact among older adults in the US. 

Continue reading

by

Nursing home residents in Riverside County and throughout Southern California can experience a wide range of injuries, infections, and other types of harm as a result of nursing home negligence and inadequate care. While many people assume most injuries from nursing home abuse and neglect result from intentional acts — and certainly, intentional harm does occur — there are many injuries reported that arise from passive neglect. When nursing homes and assisted-living facilities do not have enough staff members to attend to the specific needs of individual patients, serious injuries can occur. Contractures are a somewhat common but lesser-known type of harm that can affect nursing home residents, resulting in increased disability and injuries frequently as a result of neglect. Our Riverside County nursing home negligence lawyers can tell you more.

What are Contractures?

What are contractures? According to Stanford Medicine: “Contractures are an abnormal occurrence that happens when a large area of skin is damaged and lost, resulting in a scar. The scar formation pulls the edges of the skin together, causing a tight area of skin. The decrease in the size of the skin can then affect the muscles, joints, and tendings, causing a decrease in movement.” Contractures can occur in a person at any age, but they present particular problems for older adults with mobility issues. They can have various causes, including certain medical procedures, infections, and other skin and mobility issues.

Continue reading

by

Elderly adults in San Diego County nursing homes or specialized memory-care facilities often have been diagnosed with forms of cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. When a person has cognitive impairment, the facility must take steps to ensure that they receive a certain level of care related to their condition. In other words, skilled nursing facilities have a duty to provide the type of care that is necessary based on the resident’s needs, and for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive impairment, it may be necessary to take steps to prevent wandering. When a resident wanders and suffers an injury, the facility could be liable based on a theory of negligence. Our San Diego County nursing home negligence lawyers can tell you more.

What is Wandering?

What does the term “wandering” mean in relation to nursing home care and older adults in Southern California? According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), wandering is also known as elopement, and it refers to a situation “when someone leaves a safe area or responsible caregiver.” As the NCOA clarifies, when a nursing home resident wants, they “may not be aware of their safety, which puts them at risk of getting lost, falling, or other accidents with injuries.”

Continue reading

by

When a resident falls at a nursing home or assisted-living facility in Los Angeles County, who is accountable? And, perhaps more importantly, who is liable if the fallen resident does not receive quick and effective assistance, ultimately resulting in their injuries worsening? According to a recent report in The Washington Post, new data suggests that employees at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the country often refuse to lift residents who have fallen to avoid liability, instead calling emergency medical responders to lift the resident. By the time an emergency medical responder arrives, injuries from the fall may have worsened.

From liability to initial falls in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to injuries worsened by a lack of quick response time, it is important to know that the facility itself could be accountable. Our Los Angeles County nursing home neglect lawyers can tell you more.

Fall Hazards in Nursing Homes and Assisted-Living Facilities

Continue reading

by

Anyone who has an elderly parent or relative who resides in a nursing home or assisted-living facility in San Bernardino County should know about the risks of nursing home abuse, neglect, and negligence. Generally speaking, older adults in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities can be at risk of injuries from various types of harm, both intentional and unintentional. Trying to understand the distinctions between abuse, neglect, and negligence in relation to seniors can be confusing, and our Southern California nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers can help to clarify the terms for you. If you have further questions or if you need assistance with a claim, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Intentional Elder Abuse

The term elder abuse often refers to acts of intentional abuse. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) underscores that there are many forms of intentional abuse that can result in severe harm to older adults in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, including physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and willful deprivation. 

Continue reading

by

At Southern California Nursing Home Law Group, we have years of experience handling a wide range of nursing home and assisted living neglect cases. We have seen the devastating effects that negligence can have on some of the most vulnerable members of society—those entrusted to nursing homes for care and safety.

While nursing home neglect can take many forms, there are five specific types of cases that we most commonly encounter. These include bed sore cases, falls with injuries, failure to take action after an obvious change in health condition, wandering away from the facility, and physical assault. Below is a breakdown of each type of case and the troubling signs associated with nursing home neglect.

  1. Bed Sore Cases
Continue reading

by

Seniors in Orange County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, as well as older adults throughout Southern California, are more vulnerable to forms of abuse than younger people. Indeed, elderly nursing home and assisted-living facility residents can be subject to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as passive neglect — all of which can result in debilitating and even fatal injuries. Life in a nursing home or assisted-living facility should feel safe, and residents should be well cared for, yet many frequently are in precarious positions where their health and safety are at great risk. Why are older adults so susceptible to abuse? Our experienced Orange County nursing home neglect lawyers can explain in more detail, and we can speak with you today about any concerns you have that may warrant an investigation and a nursing home abuse claim.

Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairments, including those caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, are one of the most common reasons that older adults are more susceptible to various forms of abuse and neglect in nursing homes or memory care facilities. Indeed, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, “people with dementia are especially vulnerable because the disease may prevent them from reporting the abuse or recognizing it,” which can also result in acts of abuse being perpetrated repeatedly and over time. Nursing home and assisted-living facility residents with certain types of mental health issues can also be vulnerable to abuse for similar reasons. 

Continue reading

by

Whether it is in Riverside County or elsewhere in Southern California, it is critical for friends and family members of older LGBTQ adults who reside in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to be at severe risk of injuries from abuse and neglect than others. Indeed, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, although there is insufficient research on elder abuse and neglect among members of the LGBTQ community in California and elsewhere, it is clear that “this population faces a greater risk of abuse and likely experiences abuse differently, and needs different resources.” 

If an elderly parent or loved one is a member of the LGBTQ community and is currently living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, what do you need to know? Our Riverside County nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can tell you more.

LGBTQ Seniors Experience Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes and assisted living Facilities in Southern California

Continue reading

by

When an elderly loved one requires care outside their home, it is important to find a facility that can meet your loved one’s needs and ensure that they will receive proper care so that they do not sustain preventable injuries. Yet, risks of falls in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as issues with understaffing, can result in different types of accidents that can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in residents. While TBIs are most commonly associated with contact sports (like football and soccer) in the news or with motor vehicle crashes and certain high-risk recreational activities, they also occur more often than you might think in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

According to a new report in McKnights Long-Term Care News, sustaining multiple TBIs can have particularly harmful effects on older adults. In short, multiple TBIs can increase the risk for “worse cognitive decline” and, ultimately, a reduced life expectancy and reduced quality of life. Our San Diego County nursing home neglect lawyers can explain in more detail.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Dementia in Older Adults

Continue reading
Justia Lawyer Rating
Super Lawyers
BBB Rating A+
Avvo Rating 10.0
Elder Justice Advocates
Consumer Attorneys California
AV Preeminent badge
Contact Information
North County Office
950 Boardwalk
#304
San Marcos, CA 92078
Toll Free: 866.607.1325 Local: 760.571.5500 Fax: 760.571.5501
San Diego Office
2169 1st Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
Toll Free: 866.607.1325

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2024, Walton Law Firm
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design