Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Our Elder Abuse Attorney Los Angeles Will Recover Compensation For You

Nursing home abuse and the abuse of the elderly occur all too frequently. They are some of society’s most vulnerable people. Abusers may be spouses, family members, personal acquaintances, or professionals in positions of trust; or opportunistic strangers who prey on the vulnerable. Speaking with an elder abuse lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand your loved one’s rights.

Unfortunately, many cases of nursing home abuse go unreported. Research indicates that more than one in ten elders may experience a form of abuse, but only one in five or fewer get reported. That means those seniors who have gotten abused get the help they need.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION YOUR LOVED ONES DESERVE

Because nursing home residents and senior citizens are among the most vulnerable, you’ll need an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Los Angeles to represent your claim. In most cases, the nursing home staff are the only individuals who know what occurred, but few rarely report it. When you turn to our law firm, we will get the answers you’re looking for and help you file a claim to hold negligent defendants accountable for the pain and suffering your loved one endured. We’ve helped clients recover damages for over 35 years in Los Angeles. By coming forward, you are making sure that this doesn’t happen again.

WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?

In general, elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or “trusted” individual that might lead to harm. Forms considered as elder abuse are:

• Physical harm
• Neglect
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Threats
• Financial abuse
• Exploitation
• Sexual abuse

Under staffing leads to neglect, and elderly residents often get abandoned by family, which can be just as detrimental.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Elder abuse can occur anywhere – in the home, in nursing homes, or other institutions. It affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, cultures, and races. Based on available information, women and “older” elders are more likely to be victimized. Dementia is a significant risk factor, as well as mental health, isolation, and substance abuse.

WARNING SIGNS

There are many reasons that elderly residents in facilities suffer from nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing home workers are too often low-paid, overworked, and poorly trained. Sometimes the problem occurs when nursing home employers try to cut corners by skimping on staff or training. But, the worst cases of nursing home neglect and abuse happen at facilities that on the outside seem clean, professional, and well run. Often, management is aware that a problem exists. Some warning signs to look out for include:

• Physical abuse: Slap marks, unexplained bruises, pressure marks, and certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns
• Neglect: Pressure ulcers, unclean, lack of medical care, malnutrition, or dehydration.
• Emotional abuse: Withdrawal from activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavior changes
• Sexual abuse: Bruises around the breast or genital area and unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Financial abuse or exploitation: Sudden change in finances, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as “loans” or “gifts,” and loss of property

RELATED ARTICLES ABOUT NURSING HOME ABUSE

HOW UNDERSTAFFING CONTRIBUTES TO NURSING HOME ABUSE
Families pay at-home nurses and nursing homes to look after their elderly loved ones, but unfortunately, these are often the abusive parties. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s neglect or abuse, they can be held liable for any damages.

Nursing homes are understaffed often due to various reasons, such as lack of funds, a disproportionate ratio of nurses to patients, finding reliable help, and more. When nursing homes are understaffed, it poses a big problem, as patients require consistent, dependable care.

Understaffing can result in neglect and abuse, which can cause repercussions to elderly patients. If you believe your loved one has experienced neglect or abuse due to understaffing, contact our team for a free consultation today. We will protect your loved ones.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF A NURSING HOME ABUSE CASE?
If your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse, they have a right to pursue justice and compensation for their injuries or neglect. These legal cases can be complex, and it takes a reputable and experienced elder abuse attorney to take it on and win. We can help you with the entire process of your nursing home abuse case, starting with a case assessment, client meeting, investigation, negotiations and mediation, lawsuit, and much more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE

1. What should I do if I suspect any abuse, neglect, or exploitation?
   Report it immediately. At that moment, you do not need to prove what happened to you. Instead, the following services will investigate your claim and get you to safer conditions.Local law enforcement: dial 911 to reach out to the police for immediate dangerAdult Protective Services (ADS): ADS is an agency that investigates elder abuse concerns, among others. It is best for situations where the danger is not immediate.Long Term Care Ombudsman: Representatives that assist residents with issues regarding their health and livelihood. Californian ombudsman advocate and prevent abuse in residential facilities, nursing homes, and living centers.
2. If I call APS for help, what should I say?
   Calling on behalf of an older resident is straightforward. When you make the call, make sure to provide the following details:
   • Name of person
   • Address
   • Contact information
   • Details about the situation

   They might ask you questions regarding medical problems, family support, and any abusive or concerning incidents.

3. What causes elder abuse?
   Many things contribute to this terrible situation. In most cases, we have seen psychological, social, and economic trauma. Primarily, three of the main risks are:
   • Social isolation
   • Depending on a caretaker
   • Limited access to support and resources

   Additional factors are:

   • Physically weak
   • Financial circumstances
   • Caregiver burnout
   • Impairments
4. Are there penalties to hold abusers accountable?
   In California, Penal Code 368 PC protects elders 65 and older from abuse. If proven, the offense can get prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by up to four years in jail. The laws about elderly abuse vary per state.
5. Who is likely to be the abuser?
   Unfortunately, in most cases, we see a pattern of harm coming from someone they trust from family, friends, and strangers, to name a few. Abusers can be anyone of any gender, age, race, and economic status. People usually think of scammers, but it can be a lot more complicated than it seems.

CONTACT A LOS ANGELES ELDER ABUSE ATTORNEY

Placing a loved one in a nursing home or other long-term care facility is a difficult decision. When a family makes that decision, they entrust the nursing home. When that trust gets broken, the consequences can be severe. It might cause permanent injury or wrongful death.

If you have seen signs of nursing home staff negligence or abuse while visiting your loved one in a nursing home, contact the Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at Grey Law immediately to set up an appointment for a free case evaluation. You have the right to take legal action against the facility or caregiver responsible for your elder loved one’s injuries and suffering. Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience in handling nursing home abuse cases and will help you work towards an ideal solution to protect the rights of your loved one. Call us today at (323) 857-9500.