ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Felony Abuse Charge
Untreated Pressure Wound
Failure To Notify Physician And Family
Physical abuse and neglect of elders is a crime, Cal. Penal Code § 368. Elder physical abuse and neglect are also the bases for civil actions for damages. See Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15610.63 (physical abuse defined) and 15610.57 (definition of neglect). Seniors under the care of in-home caregivers, in nursing homes, in assisted care facilities, hospitals, and hospice programs are all vulnerable to the risk of elder physical abuse and neglect. Our litigators have experience with cases of seniors abused, neglected or abandoned in facilities and hospice programs with serious injury including untreated pressure wounds/bed sores and infections that turn fatal. The parties responsible for the condition and fatality should be held accountable. Evans Law Firm, Inc. represents injured seniors and their families here in Marin County and throughout California. We can be reached at (415)441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267).
Nurse Found Guilty Of Felony Abuse
A nurse at an assisted care facility where a 69-year-old patient died as a result of an untreated pressure wound has been found guilty of felony elder abuse according to a recent announcement.[1] Court documents in the case revealed that the supervising RN charged with neglect was the hospice resident’s case manager and allegedly failed to record the discovery of open ulcers in the patient’s medical records. She also allegedly failed to notify a medical doctor and the resident’s family of the hospice patient’s deteriorating condition. Due to the purported lack of care, investigators determined that her condition worsened and eventually led to the patient’s early death. The untreated wound required emergency surgery to the victim’s right foot, which had become septic and gangrenous. Following the surgery, the resident suffered a continued decline in health and eventually passed away. The RN was charged with one count of felony elder abuse.
Recourse For Families Of Hospice Patients
If you have a loved one who has suffered any kind of abuse or neglect in a hospice program, call us at Evans Law Firm, Inc. right away. Pay close attention to warning signs of rapid deterioration from abuse or neglect like open wounds, bruises, personality changes, discomfort, delirium or silence. Act on your instincts always since you know your loved one best and call us if you suspect any problem. We know how to investigate cases of physical elder abuse and how to pursue all remedies available under California law which include holding supervisors and owners responsible for neglect and abuse of institutionalized patients. Awards may include attorneys’ fees and expenses you’ve incurred in bringing your case. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657. We will hold all parties responsible for the abuse to count, including owners of hospice and home health care agencies and owners, administrators and supervisors in nursing homes and other care facilities.
Contact Us
You can reach Ingrid M. Evans at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267).
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc.was not involved in the reported case in any way.
