ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Nursing Home Residents At Risk Of Abuse And Neglect
Warning Signs Of Neglect Or Abuse
Reporting Abuse And Seeking Legal Help
Discovering that a loved one has been the victim of abuse in a nursing home facility can be shocking. We trust these facilities to treat our loved ones with the utmost respect and care, and when this is not done, the consequences can be fatal. If you’ve discovered your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, there are some important steps that you must take. Here we go over the signs of abuse and neglect and how to report nursing home abuse in California. If you or a loved one is a victim of financial elder abuse here in San Francisco or elsewhere in California call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
According to the National Council on Aging, there are multiple types of abuse prevalent in nursing homes across the United States. The different types of abuse include: physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, confinement, and neglect. Identifying nursing home abuse can be hard. But there are some signs that can help you recognize it.
Physical abuse can be one of the easier forms to discover and some signs include:
- 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- Abnormal or withdrawn behavior and unusual silence;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.
Physical and emotional abuse unfortunately does occur in nursing home facilities and once this abuse is realized, it’s important to take the proper steps in reporting the neglect and abuse.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse
First, it’s important that you continuously document the abuse you notice with the proper details. Once you realize that the abuse is continuous and ongoing, you should discuss your findings and concerns with the facility’s supervisor. The nursing home facility should offer to investigate your concerns. Unless you feel that the residents’ lives could be in danger, speaking with the facility’s administration is the best first step to take. If you do feel like someone’s life is in danger, you should call 911 immediately.
If after discussing your concerns you’ve noticed that the conditions have not improved, you need to file a complaint with the California Department of Public Health. Within 48 hours of your report, an investigator should be assigned to your case. Depending on your case, you may also want to file a report with the Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse. You can do so through California’s Office of the Attorney General.
Consult With an Attorney
Discovering nursing home abuse is a serious matter that can be complicated to navigate. Even if you have taken the proper steps of reporting the abuse, consulting with an attorney is always a good option. A California nursing home abuse attorney can help you navigate the reporting process and potentially get you and your loved one the compensation and justice you deserve.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one is or has been the victim of abuse or neglect from a caregiver or while residing in a nursing home or other care facility in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, contact Ingrid M. Evans and the other nursing home abuse attorneys at the Evans Law Firm at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
