Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you need a skilled Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, Our Elder Neglect Attorneys are not only skilled but we are passionate when it comes to fighting for the rights of nursing home residents. We work with attorneys in our network that specialize in nursing home abuse cases and have the resources to fight for you.

We've recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.  Please call our highly skilled attorneys at 323-238-4683 for a Free confidential consultation.

California Nursing Home Abuse is More Common Than We Think

Research from recent years indicates that up to half of all nursing home attendants have admitted abusing or neglecting elderly patients. More than half of nursing home attendants have admitted to verbally abusing, yelling at or using foul language with elderly residents at care facilities. Read more about nursing home abuse, prevention and information.

• 1 out of 10 elderly individuals will experience some form of elder abuse
• This adds up to about 2 million cases reported every year
• 40 percent of nursing home residents report abuse
• More than 90 percent report that they or another resident of the assisted living facility has been neglected.

Sadly, the elderly are the least likely demographic to report elder or nursing home abuse. Many times, elderly patients do not report abuse because they do not have the capacity or ability to verbally express what has occurred to them or one of their household residents.

The caretakers who are trusted by family members to care for these vulnerable and elderly individuals are supposed to be upstanding and caring people. But when they abuse an elderly resident, they need to be delt with accordingly and held responsible for their actions to the fullest extent of the law.

The law firm of Bisnar Chase has over 40 years of experience and a 96% success rate. Let our nursing home injury lawyers fight for the pain and suffering of your loved ones.

Inexcusable Crime

The elderly are among the most vulnerable sections of our population. To take undue advantage of an elderly or disabled individual is an egregious violation and must be punished. Nursing homes that foster a hostile, unhealthy environment in their facilities in order to boost their profits must be made to pay for their wrongdoing. Nursing home abuse and neglect, in our book, are inexcusable acts.

Often referred to as medical malpractice, nursing home neglect and abuse is a sad reality in our communities today. The Los Angeles area is no exception. Even the best-looking nursing homes in Los Angeles may have incidents of abuse and neglect.

Elder abuse in long-term facilities is grossly underreported. The California Department of Public Health, which monitors nursing homes, is terribly short-staffed and hardly diligent about keeping an eye on these facilities.

When nursing homes fail to meet required cleanliness and provide the appropriate health care and amenities their residents deserve, the situation can fall into a premise liability issue. Although the law offices of Bisnar Chase does not accept medical malpractice, if the nursing home is held accountable for a premises liability issues, our experienced Los Angeles premise liability lawyers are here to help.

Under staffing in Los Angeles nursing homes is a serious issue, which creates an environment that is ripe for neglect and abuse. If your loved one is being neglected or abused at a Los Angeles nursing home, it is important that you understand your legal rights and options. A seasoned personal injury attorney can help you identify your rights to compensation.

Here are a few eye-opening statistics relating to nursing home abuse and neglect, compiled by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) :

• 1.4 million people are currently living in U.S. nursing homes.

• There were 20,673 complaints of abuse, gross neglect and exploitation on behalf of nursing home residents in 2003. That number has only been increasing over the last decade with more and more of our elderly residents getting admitted into nursing homes.

• One in 14 incidents of elder abuse is actually reported to the authorities.

• 90 percent of U.S. nursing homes have staffing levels that are too low to provide adequate care.

• The nursing home industry received $75 billion in state and federal funding in 2006.

• Nursing home residents and their families contributed $34 billion to the nursing home industry in 2001.
• Elderly Abused at 1 in 3 Nursing Homes

Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Often Seen in LA

There are several types of abuse and neglect that occur in nursing homes throughout California and it is important for family members to be able to identify them and recognize the red flags.

Neglect: This is the most common form of nursing home abuse. Nursing home neglect is when a caregiver does not follow the standard of reasonable care. Neglect may include failing to provide residents with food, water, hygiene, medication, security and supervision. Symptoms of neglect may include malnourishment, dehydration, unkempt appearance and smell of urine or feces in the resident's room.

Physical abuse: When caregivers use excessive force that causes bodily injury to a resident, it is physical abuse. Examples of physical abuse include pushing, shoving or hitting, burning, kicking, using physical restraints, depriving residents of food or drinks and forcing residents to eat or drink.

Sexual abuse: Nursing home sexual abuse occurs when a visitor, employee or resident of the assisted living facility engages in non-consensual sexual act with the victim. There are cases in nursing homes where individuals with dementia and other debilitating conditions become victims of sexual abuse. Any incidents of sexual assault or abuse should be reported to local law enforcement authorities right away.

Emotional abuse: Although we don't talk much about emotional abuse, it can still cause significant harm and affect the health and well-being of elderly residents. Common examples of emotional abuse may include verbal abuse, bullying, intimidation, harassment, isolation and silent treatment.

What Can You Do to Prevent Neglect and Abuse?

There are simple steps that family members can take to ensure that their loved ones receive quality care in a Los Angeles County nursing home.

• Make your visits count. Visit at different times and shifts or on different days of the week. The unpredictability of your visits can keep the facility on its toes. Also, visiting at different times of day and the week is important for you to get a complete picture of the patterns of care in the facility. It will also help you assess the performance and attitude of caregivers at different shifts.

• Build relationships with the staff. Get to know key staff members on a first-name basis. When you develop a rapport with the staff and administrators, it becomes much easier for you to communicate and interact with them. When they know you well, any questions you ask or concerns you may raise will not be viewed as complaints or intrusions. Be generous with your praise when it is warranted.

• Participate in care plan meetings. Your loved one's care plan is critical to his her physical and psychological well-being. Be there when your loved one's care plan is being reviewed or updated to ensure that the patient's needs are being met.

• Monitor the care of your loved one. Make sure that the facility is carrying out your loved one's care plan. You can do so by keeping notes, checking records, getting copies of violations or complaints and making a physical inspection of your loved one.

• Look actively for signs of abuse and neglect. If you find any, report them to the administrator. If the administrator fails to take action, report your complaint to a state ombudsman and contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to help protect your loved one's rights.

We all have a legal duty to report nursing home abuse or senior neglect. The state of California's Department of Justice has outlined factors in many elder abuse and neglect cases including the all too common problem of nursing homes allowing its residents to suffer bedsores and dehydration.

Hiring a Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in a Los Angeles nursing home or think you may even have a wrongful death case.

If you or a loved one has experienced Negligence or Abuse, contact our Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at 323-238-4683 for a Free Case Evaluation and to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.