Westminster Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

With more and more baby boomers heading to our nation's nursing homes and assisted living centers, nursing home abuse and neglect are quickly becoming an unfortunate yet common reality.

If you find that your loved one has been a victim of these situations, contact the Westminster Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers of Bisnar Chase. Our attorneys can help you establish where to go and help hold the nursing home accountable for their actions.

There are hundreds of reported incidents of abuse, exploitation and neglect every year in Orange County. Our legal representation has won our clients over $500 million dollars in compensation for victims of personal injuries.

Don't let your loved one suffer anymore.

For immediate assistance, please call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation.

Elder Abuse Occurs Very Often

Elder abuse affects more seniors than people are led to believe. The Nursing Home Abuse Center reported that around 1.4 million elderly residents have been abused in a nursing home. Elders who are 65 and older are the target group who are affected by senior living abuse.

Orange County is no exception either. In one year over 1,526 abuse cases were reported in Orange County. The reality is that there may have even been more cases of abuse that go unreported. Due to the constant threatening by a staff or family member, elders that find themselves in an abusive situation usually do not report the abuse out of fear.

What to Do If Your Loved One is Being Abused

If you have exhibited multiple signs of physical and emotional abuse from your loved one you immediately want to take action to end their pain and suffering. Many family members do not know how to tackle this situation.

The following are steps you can take to help your loved one.

Document any prominent changes in their behavior or physical state: If the staff has not been attentive and denies any physical changes to your loved one's current state you need to take initiative with documentation.  Keep a record of abuse with photos or videos of your loved one.

Report the abuse: If you suspect that abuse has occurred at a Westminster nursing home, it is critical that you file a report with the appropriate authorities. Gather information from witnesses and from workers who may have information about the incident. You will have to report your suspicions to the nursing home administrator, the department of health, the social services agency of your county and the local police, depending on the nature of the abuse. All forms of elder abuse are illegal and care facilities that allow it to occur on their premises should be held liable for their negligence.

Seek legal representation: The Westminster Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers of Bisnar Chase believe that your loved one is deserving of the best senior care. Families everyday entrust their loved ones to staff and when that trust is broken, we will be there to help. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping your family member get the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering. Call the law offices of Bisnar Chase at 949-203-3814 for a free case analysis.

Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Westminster Nursing Home

Many elderly residents are in emotional pain or distress because of the way they are treated by their caretakers. Emotional abuse may involve shouting or use of threatening language, ridicule and verbal humiliation or blaming the victim for things that are not his or her fault. Passive emotional abuse can include ignoring the resident or isolating him or her for lengthy periods of time.

There are many potential warning signs of emotional abuse. You should be concerned if your loved one:

• Has become non-communicative or withdrawn
• Is exhibiting strange regressive behavior such as biting, sucking or rocking
• Has recently begun exhibiting signs of low self-esteem or depression
• Has become anxious, is quickly agitated or suffers from mood swings

Signs of Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the non-accidental use of physical force against an elderly person. Unlike emotional abuse, physical abuse can result in visible physical injuries that should raise red flags for the victim's loved ones. Remember, when a patient suffers an injury in a falling accident or some other type of accident, it is the nursing home's legal obligation to inform the family. Therefore, when there are unexplained injuries, it may be a sign of a cover up. Ask to see the medical records and don't be afraid to ask questions. Observable signs of physical abuse include:

• Unexplained physical injuries
• Broken bones
• Bruises that do not appear to be fall-related
• Sprains
• Welts
• Unexplained, rapid weight loss
• Trauma to the wrist or elbow that may reflect use of physical restraints
• Frozen joints
• Lacerations
• Skull fractures
• Broken eyeglasses
• Fearfulness

Neglect is also a type of abuse that can sometimes be overlooked. Bedsores and or pressure ulcers are a sign of neglect and can be serious or even fatal if left untreated.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The despicable act of performing non-consensual sexual contact or interaction with an elderly person can, frighteningly enough, happen anywhere and at any time. It is the obligation of all Westminster nursing homes to perform the proper background checks to ensure that they do not hire an employee with a criminal history. Caregivers are in a position of authority and power. Using that position of dominance to perform sexual acts or to force the elderly person to perform such acts is not only morally reprehensible, but it is also criminal.

Signs of sexual abuse may include:

• Genital infections
• Unexplained venereal disease
• Torn or strained underclothing
• Vaginal or anal bleeding
• Bruising around the inner thighs, upper abdomen or breasts

Westminster Staff Worker Negligence

When nursing homes are understaffed this can lead to serious problems. Not only is the staff over worked and stressed but for new staff coming in they will never receive proper training.

Senior care centers purposely remain understaffed to increase the profits of the employees. More workers means more money to spend on labor.

Experts say that there is a difference between elderly abuse and elderly neglect. Neglect involves not being attentive to a senior resident's needs. The lack of care leads to a senior being vulnerable to injuries and sanitation services. Residents rely on the staff to become mobile most of the time and if they are left in a bed all day without physical therapy, the elder can suffer from serious skin conditions such as painful rashes and bed sores.

The staff member is not the only liable for the neglect. The senior living care center can face serious legal repercussions as well.

An experienced Westminster Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Bisnar Chase will fight for your rights and help ensure that the negligent parties are held liable for their wrongdoing. Injured victims and their families can also seek financial compensation for the injuries, losses and emotional trauma caused.

Since 1978, our injury attorneys have been helping injury victims gain millions in recovery for a third party's wrong doings. The Law Firm of Bisnar Chase has also held a 96% success rate at winning cases.

If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a senior care center, please contact our Westminster nursing home abuse attorneys at 949-203-3814. Upon your call you will receive a free case analysis from a top-legal team expert.