ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Allegation That Advisor Recommended Inadequate Facility
Facility Was Allegedly Not Equipped To Care For Elder
Allegations That Records Were Altered To Qualify Patient For Facility
Certain skilled nursing facility or assisted care facility residents require some particular type of care or monitoring. Bedridden patients require frequent turning so as to avoid developing bed sores/pressure wounds. Dementia patients need supervision and monitoring so they do not wander away from the facility and get injured in the outside world. Other patients may have strict dietary requirements and neglect of those guidelines can cause sickness or death. Whenever the required level of care is not rendered, injury and even death can follow. Injury by negligence, neglect and abandonment are forms of elder abuse. See Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15610.05 (definition of abandonment); 15610.63 (definition of physical elder abuse), and 15610.57 (definition of neglect). Victims and families may sue all those responsible for injuries sustained. 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, abandonment or abuse in a nursing home or care facility here in San Francisco 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).
Verdict Against Facility Placement Advisor
A California judge recently ordered a defendant in an elder abuse case to pay more than $2 million in connection to the death of an 80-year-old man.[1] The judgment was against the previous owner of a company which helps the elderly select a care facility. Plaintiff, the widow of the deceased senior, alleged that the defendant duped plaintiff to move her husband into a facility insufficiently able to care for him to gain monetary benefit. The decedent had broken his hip and needed surgery, the complaint stated. After surgery, the man was discharged and admitted to a skilled nursing facility with a variety of diagnoses and conditions. He needed “extensive assistance” from at least two caregivers for daily activities, the complaint filed in court alleges. The nursing home wanted to discharge the man and used defendant to select another facility. The advisor allegedly arranged to have medical records altered to make the 80-year-old appear to be qualified for care in a facility, that plaintiff alleges paid defendant for the recommendation. The man died after a short time at the facility after developing pressure wounds and infections as a result of substandard care, according to the complaint. The defendant is appealing the $2 million verdict and denies all allegations in the case.
Recourse For Injured Residents And Families
Whenever an older loved one is admitted to a care facility make sure the facility is qualified to care for the patient. Check out whether the facility has a history of citations against it. In the reported case, the judge found that the recommended facility had a history of neglect citations. Once your loved one is admitted, visit them frequently to bring them joy but also to keep an eye on the care they are receiving. 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.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans and Evans Law Firm, Inc. represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect 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.
