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Riverside Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers
Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys fighting for seniors in California
There are hundreds of nursing homes throughout Riverside County. It can be challenging to find the best one for your loved one. You should consider the level of care your senior needs and whether they need a nursing home, memory care facility, assisted living residence, etc. The best way to find the perfect nursing home is to research. Even then, you may find that the nursing home is negligent and hires caretakers who abuse and neglect residents. This can come as a shock and be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the senior. If you find that your loved one is a victim of a negligent nursing home, speak to the Riverside elder abuse and neglect lawyers from Garcia & Artigliere - call us today to assert your rights.
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How can our Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys help?
- What are the different types of Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect?
- What signs indicate someone in a Riverside nursing home is being abused or neglected?
- What rights do Riverside nursing home residents have?
- Who is liable for nursing home abuse and neglect in Riverside?
- How can you help a Riverside nursing home resident who is being abused or neglected?
- Do you have a Riverside nursing home abuse attorney near me?
What are the different types of Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect?
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can abuse residents in various ways. The reason is that many caretakers are also predators who find creative ways to harm seniors and other vulnerable individuals. We often see cases of abuse involving:
Physical abuse: Any action that causes physical harm to an individual is considered abuse. This often comes as slapping, kicking, biting, grabbing, or shoving. Other times, it involves caretakers using restraints to punish or control an individual. Physical abuse often leaves marks and other signs that are evident to loved ones. Take photos and contact a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney if your loved one is physically harmed.
Emotional abuse: Threats of violence, degradation, insults, and intimidation are examples of emotional abuse. Staff and caretakers will bully residents until their mental and emotional health declines. The resident may become isolated and experience a decline in their physical health. Mood swings and discomfort around specific staff are common signs of emotional abuse.
Sexual abuse: It is egregious to sexually abuse anyone, more so when it is a senior who is in a vulnerable position. Any non-consensual sexual contact is considered abuse. This type of abuse is underreported and, therefore, under investigated. Predators often choose victims who cannot communicate or report the abuse or those who cannot fight back in any way. Other times, residents feel shame, guilt, and fear retaliation.
Medication mistakes: Many nursing home residents take medication for their ailments. Administering medication is essential for the health and wellbeing of the resident. Sometimes, caregivers will administer too much medication, give the wrong medication, or deny the resident any medication. They do this so they can control the residents and take advantage of them physically, financially, or in other ways.
Delayed or denied treatment of strokes: As people age, their health can decline. Seniors are more susceptible to suffering strokes, conditions that are life-changing and must be treated immediately. Denying treatment for strokes is abuse and could be considered medical malpractice. If the stroke is diagnosed but therapy is delayed, it can also lead to additional complications and even death.
What signs indicate someone in a Riverside nursing home is being abused or neglected?
When researching a nursing home for your loved one, you should also take the time to familiarize yourself with the warning signs of abuse and neglect. It is imperative to keep your family safe. The best way to identify nursing home abuse is to visit often and pay attention to what is happening there. Look at the overall condition of the room, other residents, and your loved one. You should also watch for subtle signs in the resident, such as anxiety around people, isolation, and mood swings. Some signs and injuries to look for that can signify abuse include:
- Sunken eyes
- Broken bones
- Bedsores
- Unresponsiveness
- Medication errors in medical reports or addressed by your loved one
- Bladder or bowel issues
- Cuts, bruises, and open wounds
- Unexplained illnesses
- Nursing home neglect
- Resident-on-resident abuse
- Lack of hygiene
- Unsafe conditions
- Unpleasant exchanges with nursing home staff
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Rapid weight loss
- Wandering and elopement
- Changes in demeanor or behavior
- Wrongful death
You will likely get a tour before entering your loved one into a facility. This is where the facility presents itself as the most luxurious and best place for you. However, you should not lean on first impressions. Ensure you walk around the home when possible during visits and inspect it. Staff changes are common, and that can cause a lapse in treatment and a higher likelihood of abuse. Speak to a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney if you see signs of abuse.
Neglect is often in tandem with abuse, but there are differences. The most significant difference is neglect is a decision not to administer aid and cause harm to the patient. Often, nursing home staff attribute neglect to understaffing, which can result d in backlogs and some patients getting attention while others do not. Residents may not be bathed or moved as often as they need. Sometimes, they will fail or forget to bring a resident dinner. When the action is intentional, it can be considered abuse. Discuss the details of the neglect with Garcia & Artigliere.
What rights do Riverside nursing home residents have?
Nursing home residents have rights and protections under state and Federal laws. There is a Nursing Home Bill of Rights, which each new resident should get a copy of. There are numerous rights outlined, including:
- The right to be treated with respect
- The right to have family and friends involved in treatment
- Protection from unfair transfer or discharge
- The right to form or participate in resident groups
- The right to leave the home for visits and to move out
- The ability to get social services like counseling and meet with financial professionals
Who is liable for nursing home abuse and neglect in Riverside?
When you work with a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney, we will take legal action to hold parties responsible for the abuse or neglect inflicted on your loved one. These actions are illegal, and the perpetrators must face consequences for them. You can accomplish this by showing evidence of abuse or neglect. The evidence should show that the actions or inaction of the person endangered the elderly individual. Additionally, you must show the defendant was a caretaker and contractually obligated to provide care to the person. The abuse or neglect can be a singular incident or actions extending years.
Caretakers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and others can be liable for elder abuse and neglect. The perpetrator of the abuse can face criminal charges, either misdemeanor or felony. Prosecutors will review the extent of harm suffered by the victim, and upon conviction, abusers could face fines and imprisonment. Garcia & Artigliere handles the civil process, which involves holding parties liable and recovering financial compensation. The nursing home may also change policies and be investigated by government agencies. Our Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney will outline all your options.
How can you help a Riverside nursing home resident who is being abused or neglected?
Finding abuse and neglect is the first step. You will then want to remove the elderly individual from the danger and allow them to enter a new nursing home or residence. You can also report the facility and caretakers to government agencies like Adult Protective Services, the Licensing and Certification Division of the California Department of Public Health, and the California Long-term Care Ombudsman Program.
A Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can help you report the abuse to other agencies. These perpetrators should not get away with abuse. They should be investigated, their licenses removed, and facilities shut down. We can provide you with the information necessary to fight for your loved one while we go through the legal process.
Do you have a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney near me?
Garcia & Artigliere have over 150 years of combined experience helping people in Riverside and all of California. We prioritize helping seniors and their loved ones recover from the abuse and neglect inflicted by negligent staff. Our Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys offer aggressive representation and empathy towards our clients and have a track record of success. You can schedule a confidential consultation by calling our Long Beach or Los Angeles offices.
Talk to a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney today
Abuse and neglect are too common in nursing homes throughout Riverside and the rest of California. You can protect your elderly loved one by speaking with a Riverside nursing home abuse and neglect attorney from Garcia & Artigliere today. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.
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