ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Violence Allegedly Caught On Surveillance Camera
Camera Catches Abuse Of Dementia Patient
Facility Manager Faces Four Charges Of Elder Abuse
Many dementia sufferers and Alzheimer’s disease patients reside in memory care or assisted living facilities. Nearly 50% of elders with dementia experience abuse or neglect according to reports All persons and businesses responsible for elder and dependent adult abuse or neglect can be held accountable for their acts 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). Victims may be awarded the attorneys’ fees and costs for bringing their suit 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 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).
Intentional Abuse Allegedly Caught On Camera[1]
In a recently reported case, a local police department received an anonymous tip that a dementia patient in a care facility had been assaulted by a caregiver. Two detectives went to the facility and interviewed the reported victim. His version of what happened to hi matched word for word what the anonymous caller had reported, according to police. Police subsequently charged the facility manager with two felony counts of elder abuse and two felony counts of elder endangerment. They stemmed from two separate incidents. In one incident, according to authorities, a resident fell over backward when a staff member grabbed his shirt and pulled him away from a dining room table. The resident was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Less than a week later, according to police, the manager pushed and shoved an 80-year-old resident causing him to fall to the ground leading to bruising and pain. While he was on the ground surveillance footage reportedly showed that the manager removed her shoe and hit him numerous times. According to police, the victim was then dragged by his arm and shirt, while he had no additional clothing on, across the floor and into his bedroom where he was left on the floor for several hours with no medical attention. The complaint states that there was significant bruising to the patient’s body sustained in the incident. The Department of Social Services has revoked all the suspect’s licenses and the charge are pending.
Recourse For Injured Residents And Families
Surveillance cameras can capture abuse as in the reported case, but abuse can occur off-camera or camera footage may be covered up by facility administrators. Without relying on cameras, families and loved ones of residents should look for signa of abuse or neglect when they visit older loved ones. Symptoms of abuse or neglect include bruises, scratch marks, 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 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 under Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
