PRACTICE AREA

Nursing Home Abuse

Your California Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

It is a hard fact to fathom, but nursing home abuse in the State of California does exist. Though employees of these facilities promise to properly care for your elderly and vulnerable loved ones, unfortunately, that type of care is not always given.

At Harlan Law, we do not stand or tolerate nursing home abuse, regardless of the nature – verbal, physical, or sexual. If someone you know has suffered abuse or neglect, or if you suspect it may be occurring, we offer our deepest sympathies. No one deserves to be treated poorly, specifically, the elderly. However, in order to ensure your loved one is out of harm’s way, and the issue is dealt with accordingly, you may need a California nursing home abuse attorney on your side.

To learn more about nursing home abuse, including warning signs to take note of, please keep reading. Or, if you are ready to speak to an attorney today, contact Harlan Law by calling 619-870-0802 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you and your family get past this difficult time.

In this article, you will find information on the following topics:

  • What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
  • Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse
  • Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
  • Who Is Responsible for Nursing Home Abuse?
  • Contact a California Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
  • About Harlan Law

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

It is both difficult and alarming to learn, but according to the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, more than two million cases of elder abuse are reported every year. Further, almost one out of every ten elderly individuals will experience some form of abuse.

Specifically, nursing home abuse occurs when residents of a facility suffer harm due to either neglect or intentional acts of their caregivers. As mentioned above, harm can range in type, and include verbal, physical, emotional, psychological, and even sexual.

Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Not matter how you look at it, nursing home abuse is unacceptable. Though different types of abuse do exist, each type offers its own pain, suffering, and consequences. The most common types of nursing home abuse include the following:

Physical Abuse

Just as the title suggests, physical abuse can refer to any type of harm caused when a staff member physically contacts a resident. While battery is a general example, other types of physical abuse may include overmedicating, an excessive or unneeded use of restrains, and force-feeding.

Emotional Abuse

When abuse is considered to be “emotional,” it can also include verbal threats, as well as mental harm. For example, emotional abuse may refer to isolation, manipulation, insults, or sarcastic remarks. If a staff member has deceitfully influenced the resident, or created fear, emotional abuse has occurred.

Specifically, when a resident is suffering from emotional abuse, they may experience withdraw, mood swings, seclusion, low self-esteem, confusion, depression, and anxiety, all of which can negatively affect a person’s health.

Sexual Abuse

If a resident is tricked or forced into unwanted sexual contact with another person, or if the resident is too weak or sick to give consent, then sexual abuse has taken place. A resident can be sexually abused by another resident, visitor, family member, or staff member.

Financial Abuse

A resident can experience financial abuse when their money, property, or other assets are stolen. From forcing a signature to taking advantage of a power of attorney for personal gain, to cashing checks without proper consent and confusing a resident into signing a will, financial abuse can come in many forms.

Neglect

Neglect happens when a resident is not properly taken care of by a staff member. The most common forms of neglect often include failure to help with personal hygiene, failure to provide food, failure to provide adequate treatment, and failure to acknowledge health hazards and safety conditions.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Are you currently worried that your loved one may be getting abused. Just as there are different types of nursing home abuse, there are also various warnings signs that could indicate the improper care of a patient. Often times, warning signs of nursing home abuse include the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Emotional Withdrawal
  • Bedsores
  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Diseases
  • Infections
  • Physical Discomfort
  • Financial Difficulties
  • Changes in Will

Who Is Responsible for Nursing Home Abuse?

Depending on the specific type of abuse that is taking place, the nursing home in which the resident lives may be held liable.

For example, if a nursing home is under staffed, resulting in residents failing to get the adequate care they require (i.e. neglect), the nursing home could be found responsible. All nursing homes have a duty to provide thorough background checks on every staff member, as well as ensure all workers are properly trained.

Further, nursing homes can also be help liable for any abuse caused by third parties (i.e. staff members, other residents, visitors, etc.), as they have a duty to provide a safe environment for all residents. However, if a resident is harmed due to a medication error, either the physician, pharmacy, or pharmacist may be held accountable.

Proving nursing home abuse has occurred can often be a complicated process. Yet, the process can be made easier with a California nursing home abuse attorney on your side.

Contact a California Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

It is never easy to see someone you love being hurt or abused. Unfortunately, some people do not have the strength, power, or resources to stand up for themselves. Therefore, others have to do it for them.

If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse in the State of California, Harlan Law wants to hear from you. Contact our firm today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation by calling 619-870-0802. Let us help you and your family move on from this unfair experience.

About Harlan Law

When it comes to choosing a law firm, we understand that you have many options. However, at Harlan Law, we stand out from those other options due to our ability to listen to a client, and then tailor our services to fit specific needs and goals. At our firm, the only concern is you, the client.

It is important to have a California nursing home abuse attorney that you can trust, someone who will fight for your rights until the very end – and that is what you will find at Harlan Law. Contact us today.

About Harlan Law

Our San Diego law firm is dedicated to providing the best advocacy possible for clients nationwide. Call our experienced personal injury and employment lawyers today at 619.870.0802 for your first free consultation.

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Client Experience

“Knowledgeable, great communicator. Jordon did a great job on my case regarding nursing home abuse and neglect. He was courteous and explained everything that was happening with my case, giving me updates and advice. My case had a great outcome. I would definitely recommend Jordon to others in need of a wonderful, competent attorney.”

Gina