Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Los Angeles County can provide necessary care and supervision to older adults, but these locations can also be places where elderly loved ones sustain serious and life-threatening injuries. According to data from Becker’s Hospital Review, the highest rate of elderly injuries occurs in skilled nursing facilities, followed by assisted-living facilities and other types of residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs). Nursing homes are distinct from assisted-living facilities or RCFEs because they provide medical care, and residents usually need more supervision and health care.
What causes most of the injuries that older adults sustain in nursing homes? The following are some of the leading causes of nursing home injuries due to abuse and neglect in Los Angeles County.
Inadequate Supervision
Frequently, inadequate supervision of a nursing home resident can lead to serious injuries. In particular, residents who require assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, or eating may suffer an injury in a slip and fall or as a result of a choking incident if they are not adequately supervised.
Understaffing
Understaffing in Southern California nursing homes is a major cause of nursing home injuries since it can result in residents not receiving the care they need. Understaffing can lead to falls, bed sores, malnourishment, and dehydration.
Intentional Physical or Psychological Abuse
Many injuries in nursing homes are not caused by intentional acts, as we have discussed above, but some injuries do result from intentional acts of physical or emotional abuse by staff members at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
Falls
While falls can result from inadequate supervision and understaffing, they can also result from problems on the premises of a nursing home. For example, if a nursing home has inadequate lighting in a common walking area or if the facility fails to repair a broken handrail or torn carpeting, an elderly resident can easily slip, trip, and fall. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), about 50 percent of nursing home residents will fall at least once in a given year, and about one-third of those who fall will fall more than once. When older adults fall, they often sustain extremely debilitating and life-threatening injuries. Indeed, as the AHRQ emphasizes, about 10 percent of nursing home residents who fall experience a serious injury that can lead to an increased risk of death and decreased quality of life.
Contact a Los Angeles County Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
Learning that an elderly loved one has been injured while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility can be devastating. Talking to an experienced Los Angeles County nursing home neglect lawyer can help you understand whether the injury may have resulted from abuse or neglect and whether it is possible to file a claim for compensation. For the injuries discussed above, the nursing home or other facility may be liable. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about how we can help you with your nursing home abuse or neglect case in Southern California.
See Related Blog Posts:
Top Things to Know About Passive Neglect in San Diego County Nursing Homes
Increasing Staff Members at Nursing Homes in San Bernardino County
