ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
All Nursing Home Residents At Risk
Intentional Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, And Elopement
Recourse For Abuse Or Neglect
Any older person in an assisted living facility may suffer from nursing home abuse. That said, some may be at a higher risk than others. Women are more likely to be abused than men. In fact, the NCVC found that 66% of elder abuse victims were women. Those who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are also particularly vulnerable to abuse. Studies show that nearly 50% of elders with dementia experience abuse or neglect, abandonment, or injuries sustained while wandering off (elopement). Whoever suffers from abuse or neglect in a nursing home, and their families, make seek recourse for the suffering under the California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15600 et seq. See especially Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15610.63(definition of physical elder abuse) and 15610.57(definition of neglect). Recourse can include award of attorneys’ fees and costs in certain circumstances. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657(a). If you have a loved one who has suffered injury due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home or care facility here in Alameda County or elsewhere in California, call Evans Law Firm, Inc. at 415-441-8669, and we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Statistics
Recent statistics on nursing home abuse and neglect show the risks nursing home residents face:
- A recent study reported that 24.3% of nursing home residents experienced at least one instance of physical abuse while in a nursing home.
- Emotional abuse was the most prevalent type reported by nursing home staff members, according to a 2020 WHO study. Nearly 1 out of 3 of staff members admitted to emotionally abusing residents.
- Verbal abuse was the most commonly reported type of elder mistreatment committed by family members, according to industry reports.
- Sexual abuse was the least commonly reported form of abuse in a 2020 WHO study. Less than 2% of nursing home residents (or their representatives) reported sexual abuse cases. Staff reports of sexual abuse were under 1%.
- 12% of nursing home staff members reported neglecting the needs of residents, according to a 2020 report from the WHO. Nearly 12% of residents or their families also reported cases of nursing home neglect in the same study.
- According to a 2014 review of previous studies, neglect had the highest prevalence out of any other type of elder mistreatment in the United States.
Recourse For Injured Residents
Families of nursing home residents can monitor the care their loved ones are (or are not) receiving in homes. Symptoms of abuse or neglect include bed sores/pressure wounds, bruises, weight loss, uncleanliness, excessive drowsiness and sleeping, behavioral changes like withdrawal or silence, confusion, or fear of certain staff members. If you see any signs whatsoever of abuse or neglect, do something about it. Seek counsel regarding possible claims your loved one might have against those responsible. Act quickly whenever you suspect any kind of abuse or neglect as the time period to bring suits for these kinds of cases can be very short. There is no benefit to waiting. If a loved one has suffered injury as the result of abuse or neglect, our attorneys will pursue all available remedies from owners, administrators and staff.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans and Evans Law Firm, Inc. represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Alameda County and throughout California. Call Ingrid today at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). Ingrid will pursue all available remedies for injured seniors including recovery of attorneys’ fees and expenses for bringing your lawsuit.
