NO RECOVERY NO FEE Free Case Review
Long Beach Attorneys Handling Nursing Home Neglect
Legal help when your senior loved one is suffering from neglect in a California nursing home
Nursing home neglect refers to the failure of a nursing home or its staff to provide proper care, attention, and support to the residents, resulting in harm, discomfort, or compromising their health and safety. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that can have severe consequences for the well-being and safety of vulnerable elderly residents. It can lead to physical injuries, emotional distress, deteriorating health, and even death in severe cases.
The California nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Garcia & Artigliere are here to help if you or a senior loved one are experiencing neglect at a nursing home or assisted living facility. With over 30 years of experience coupled with 150 years of combined experience, we are the law firm you can trust with your loved one’s case. Let us help you secure compensation for your family member’s injuries and losses – get in touch with us today.
NO RECOVERY NO FEE Free Case Review
How can we help?
What is nursing home neglect?
Nursing home neglect is a form of elder abuse that occurs when a nursing home resident does not receive the care they need. This can be intentional or unintentional, and it can take many forms. Some examples of nursing home neglect include:
- Physical neglect. This includes not providing the resident with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
- Emotional neglect. This includes isolating the resident from friends and family, ignoring their emotional needs, or yelling at or threatening them.
- Medical neglect. This includes failing to provide the resident with necessary medical care, such as medications, treatments, or follow-up care.
- Hygiene neglect. This includes failing to provide the resident with basic hygienic care, such as bathing, grooming, and changing clothes.
- Safety neglect. This includes failing to provide the resident with a safe environment, such as leaving them unattended in a room with safety hazards, or failing to prevent falls or injuries.
Nursing home neglect can have serious consequences, including physical harm, malnutrition and/or dehydration, and even wrongful death. If you suspect that a nursing home resident is being neglected, it is important to report it to the authorities and follow up with the Long Beach attorneys at Garcia & Artigliere for legal guidance.
What are the common signs of nursing home neglect?
Recognizing the signs of California nursing home neglect is crucial in protecting the well-being of residents. Some common signs of nursing home neglect include:
Physical signs
- Unexplained injuries: Bruises, cuts, or other injuries that the resident or staff cannot explain.
- Pressure sores or bedsores: These may develop due to prolonged pressure on specific body areas, often caused by lack of movement or repositioning.
- Weight loss: Unexplained and significant weight loss may indicate malnutrition or dehydration.
- Poor personal hygiene: Noticeable body odor, unkempt appearance, or dirty living conditions.
Emotional and psychological signs
- Withdrawal and social isolation: Residents who were previously social may suddenly become withdrawn or avoid interactions with others.
- Signs of depression or anxiety: Displays of sadness, fear, or anxiety without apparent reasons.
Medical signs
- Unattended health issues: Lack of medical attention or treatment for existing health conditions.
- Missed medications: Residents not receiving prescribed medications on time or as instructed.
Environmental signs
- Unsanitary living conditions: Dirty, cluttered, or unsanitary rooms or common areas.
- Inadequate staffing: Consistently understaffed facilities, leading to a lack of proper care and supervision.
Lack of staff responsiveness
- Residents' requests for assistance or help may go unanswered or are delayed.
Malnourishment and dehydration
- The resident's weight loss or dehydration could be a sign of not receiving proper nutrition and hydration.
Overmedication or undermedication
- Inconsistent or inappropriate use of medication, leading to potential health risks.
Lack of mobility assistance
- Residents with mobility limitations not receiving appropriate assistance, leading to falls or injuries.
Personal belongings in disarray
- Signs of residents' personal belongings not being appropriately cared for or misplaced.
If you believe your loved one is suffering from neglect, it is important to remove them from the situation immediately, contact the authorities, and then follow up with the Long Beach attorneys at Garcia & Artigliere to find out your next legal steps.
Why does nursing home neglect happen?
Often, nursing home neglect occurs due to a combination of factors. Common reasons include inadequate staffing, lack of proper training, high staff turnover, lack of resources, staff burnout, lack of family involvement, or even intentional harm.
Nursing homes and caregivers need to prioritize resident safety, well-being, and dignity. Regular training, proper supervision, adequate staffing, and transparent communication with families are vital in preventing nursing home neglect. Additionally, implementing strict protocols and reporting mechanisms can help identify and address any potential instances of neglect promptly. Families and residents should also be vigilant in monitoring care and reporting any concerns to ensure that proper care and attention are provided to elderly residents.
What is the Nursing Home Bill of Rights?
Nursing home residents in California have a variety of rights afforded to them. The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act established the following rights for nursing home residents:
- “The right to freedom from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect;
- The right to freedom from physical restraints;
- The right to privacy;
- The right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs;
- The right to participate in resident and family groups;
- The right to be treated with dignity;
- The right to exercise self-determination;
- The right to communicate freely;
- The right to participate in the review of one's care plan, and to be fully informed in advance about any changes in care, treatment, or change of status in the facility; and
- The right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal.”
Who is liable for my Long Beach nursing home neglect claim?
The liable party for a California nursing home neglect claim depends on the specific circumstances of the case. However, in general, the liable party could be the nursing home itself, the individual staff members who were responsible for the neglect, or both.
The nursing home itself could be liable if it failed to provide the resident with the care that they were entitled to receive. This could include failing to provide adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, or medical care. The nursing home could also be liable if it failed to properly supervise its staff members, which allowed the neglect to occur.
The individual staff members who were responsible for the neglect could also be liable. This could include a nurse who was supposed to be providing the resident with care, or an administrator who was responsible for overseeing the nursing home's operations.
In some cases, both the nursing home and the individual staff members could be liable for the neglect. This would happen if the neglect was caused by the actions of both parties.
If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect in Long Beach, you should speak to the attorneys at Garcia & Artigliere. We can help you determine who is liable for the neglect and can help you file a claim for compensation.
Do you have an attorney who handles nursing home neglect near me?
Garcia & Artigliere has offices at 180 E. Ocean Blvd., Suite 1100, Long Beach, CA 90802.
Experienced California attorneys handling nursing home neglect
At Garcia & Artigliere, we know that neglect can have devastating consequences for the physical and emotional health of your loved one. Our skilled attorneys will listen to your concerns, investigate the situation thoroughly, and pursue every legal avenue to seek the compensation your loved one deserves. You don't have to face this difficult situation alone. Call our offices or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation.
We only collect attorney fees if we win your case. Our nursing home neglect lawyers serve families throughout the U.S. from our additional offices in Louisville, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New Orleans. Our services are available in both English and Spanish.
Se habla español.