Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Having an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility in San Diego County can be stressful, especially when there is so much news coverage about abuse and neglect impacting residents at these types of facilities. There are also many different forms of elder abuse, which can make it difficult for family members and friends to have the information they need about a particular kind of abuse. Our San Diego nursing home neglect attorneys can give you more information. The following are some of the most important things to know about passive neglect.
Passive Neglect is Not Usually Intentional
The term “passive neglect” refers to a type of elder abuse where a resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility does not receive the type or amount of care they need, but it is not usually intentional. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) defines passive neglect as “a caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.” Passive neglect frequently occurs when a nursing home is understaffed.
Passive Neglect Can Result in Serious Injuries
Even though passive neglect may not involve an intent to harm, it can result in severe injuries, such as broken bones from falls, dehydration, malnutrition, and bed sores.
Nursing Homes Can Be Liable for Passive Neglect
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in San Diego County and throughout Southern California can be liable for injuries resulting from passive neglect.
Passive Neglect is Indeed a Form of Abuse
While you might assume that injuries or harm resulting from accidents are merely accidents without liability, it is essential to remember that passive neglect is a form of elder abuse. As we have emphasized above, a nursing home or assisted living facility in San Diego County or elsewhere in Southern California can be liable even when neither the facility nor its employees intended any harm. Intent is not necessary for elder abuse to occur and for a facility to be liable. As the National Council on Aging underscores, passive neglect is a common form of elder abuse, and it means “a caregiver’s failure to provide an older adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care,” regardless of the reason.
Contact a San Diego County Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Today
If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Southern California and you have any concerns at all about safety or well-being, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even when a facility does not intend to cause harm, issues such as understaffing or burnout can lead to resident injuries from passive neglect, and the facility can be liable.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the experienced San Diego County nursing home neglect lawyers at our firm to find out more about signs of passive neglect and to discuss your concerns with one of our advocates. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about the services we provide to elderly Southern California residents and their families.
See Related Blog Posts:
Nursing Home Negligence and Choking Injuries in Orange County
What are Physical Restraints in Riverside County Nursing Homes?
