ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Charges Of Illegal Restraint Of Elderly Residents
Four CNAs Sentenced For Elder Abuse
Spotting Abuse Of Loved Ones
Sadly, elderly nursing home residents are vulnerable to abuse and neglect in nursing home and care facilities, the very places they enter to be cared for when they can no longer care for themselves. Neglect is an ever-present danger and neglect of bed sores/pressure wounds, infections, and dehydration or malnutrition can be fatal. Intentional abuse such as sexual abuse or physical abuse and restraint is also a recurring danger. We have represented patients subject to sexual assault in nursing homes and know how traumatic any kind of sexual assault, even short of the horror of rape, can be. Dementia patients are at increased danger because sexual predators take advantage of the victim’s defenselessness and inability to communicate or remember what has happened to them. Other intentional physical abuse is horrific too, as in the use of restraints or overmedication (chemical restraint) to keep a patient heavily sedated and inert. Finally, as we have shared many times in this blog nursing home residents may also be victims of financial elder abuse, which takes both an economic and emotional/physical toll on aged victims. If you have a loved one who has suffered injury due to abuse in a nursing home or care facility here in San Mateo 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).
Restraint Of Nursing Home Residents
One recent story of the sentencing of four nursing home aides for elder abuse demonstrates just how horrific the treatment of nursing home patients can be.[1] According to court records, the four individuals were licensed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in the behavioral health unit of a skilled nursing wing operated by a hospital. According to police, these four participated in and aided one another in the improper restraint of an elderly patient assigned to the unit. Police say this restraint was accomplished by arranging furniture around the patient’s medical recliner chair and placing two therapeutic water bags, each weighing in excess of 35 pounds, on the patient. The restraints remained in place for approximately 15 hours, according to police. Following their arrest, the aides pleaded guilty to elder abuse and surrendered their CNA licenses. They all received jail sentences. The victim is reportedly recovering from the horrendous treatment she received.
Spotting Signs of Neglect and Abuse
If you have a loved one in a nursing home or assisted care facility, visit as often as you can and watch for signs of possible abuse or neglect:
- Bedsores/pressure ulcers or other poor skin conditions;
- Indication of rape, sexual assault, or battery;
- Bruises and scratch marks;
- Poor physical appearance or lack of cleanliness;
- Frequent infections;
- Falls;
- Injuries from wandering off unsupervised (known as elopement);
- Lack of equipment and supplies;
- Overmedication;
- Rapid weight loss;
- Dehydration;
- Abnormal or withdrawn behavior and unusual silence;
- Prolonged sleep or drowsiness;
- Agitation especially when certain caregivers are present or caregivers who do not want the patient to be alone with others;
- Reluctance to speak when staff is nearby;
- Unsanitary and unclean conditions, soiled bed linens and clothes;
- Fear of being touched.
How Evans Law Firm Can Help
Always report any suspected nursing home abuse to the authorities, but also contact qualified counsel like the California nursing home abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm to help you. 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. Awards may include economic and punitive damages and awards of attorneys’ fees and costs to you for bringing your suit.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans and Evans Law Firm, Inc. represent victims of financial elder abuse and nursing home abuse here in Marin, in San Francisco 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.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. is not involved in the case in any way.
