Holding San Diego County Nursing Homes Accountable for Wrongful Death: Abuse and Neglect Claims

Losing a loved one is a devastating experience. When that loss occurs under suspicious circumstances in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the grief can be compounded by anger and a sense of injustice. If you believe your family member died as a result of abuse or neglect in a San Diego County nursing home, you have legal options. Our San Diego County nursing home wrongful death lawyers have been steadfast advocates for residents and their families in San Diego for over two decades, fighting for justice and holding negligent facilities accountable.

Nursing homes have a fundamental duty to provide a safe environment and appropriate care for their vulnerable residents. Unfortunately, instances of neglect, negligence, and even intentional abuse can lead to tragic and preventable deaths. Families across San Diego County, from San Diego and Chula Vista to Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and La Mesa, have faced the heartbreak of losing a loved one due to substandard care.

A wrongful death claim arises when a person's death is caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. In the context of nursing homes, this can occur due to a variety of failures, including:

• Neglect: This is often the most common culprit and can manifest in numerous ways and includes the failure of a caregiver or custodian to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise. This can involve:
  • Failure to Prevent Falls: Not implementing proper fall prevention protocols for at-risk residents, leading to falls that cause fatal injuries like head trauma or hip fractures.
  • Untreated Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers): When immobile residents are not regularly turned and repositioned, painful bedsores can develop. If left untreated, these can become severely infected (sepsis) and lead to death.
  • Malnutrition and Dehydration: Staff failing to ensure residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration can cause a cascade of health problems, organ failure, and ultimately, death.
  • Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or failing to provide prescribed medications can have fatal consequences.
  • Failure to Respond to Changes in Condition: Ignoring or delaying medical attention when a resident shows clear signs of declining health or distress.
  • Inadequate Hygiene and Unsanitary Conditions: Neglecting a resident's personal hygiene or failing to maintain a clean environment can lead to infections and a decline in health.
  • Understaffing and Inadequate Training: Often, neglect is a systemic issue stemming from facilities prioritizing profits over patient care by not having enough qualified staff or failing to train them properly. California law mandates minimum staffing hours, but these are not always met or are insufficient for the residents' needs.
• Negligence: Similar to neglect, negligence involves a failure to meet the accepted standard of care. This could include errors in medical judgment by nursing home medical staff, failure to properly supervise residents, or maintaining an unsafe environment (e.g., wet floors, poor lighting).
• Intentional Conduct (Abuse): While less common than neglect, intentional abuse can and does occur, leading to wrongful death. This can include:
  • Physical Abuse: Assault, battery, or the use of excessive force by staff members, including sexual abuse.
  • Emotional Abuse: Verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, and isolation that cause severe mental suffering and can contribute to a decline in physical health.
  • Willful Deprivation: Intentionally withholding necessary food, water, medication, or medical care.

The case files of experienced nursing home abuse lawyers are filled with heartbreaking examples:

• A resident in a Vista nursing home develops severe, infected bedsores due to staff negligence in repositioning and wound care, leading to sepsis and a painful death.
• An elderly individual with known dementia in an El Cajon facility wanders off due to inadequate supervision and suffers a fatal accident.
• A family in Escondido discovers their loved one died from complications of dehydration and malnutrition because the nursing home failed to monitor their intake and provide necessary assistance.
• A patient in a National City facility is given the wrong medication by an overworked and poorly trained staff member, resulting in a fatal overdose.

These are not isolated incidents. They represent a pattern of failure in some facilities that prioritize profits over the well-being of their residents.

For over 20 years, the dedicated attorneys at Southern California Nursing Home Law Group have been representing residents and their families throughout San Diego County and Southern California. We understand the devastation caused by nursing home abuse and neglect, and we are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable.

• Decades of Focused Experience: Our practice is dedicated to elder abuse and nursing home neglect cases.
• A History of Success: We have a long and proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for our clients, securing the compensation and justice they deserve.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We take all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case and recover compensation for you.
• Free, No-Obligation Consultations: We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the circumstances of your loved one's death and advise you on your legal options.
• Compassionate and Client-Focused: We understand the emotional toll these cases take.

If your loved one died in a San Diego County nursing home or assisted living facility, and you have unanswered questions or suspect that abuse or neglect played a role, do not wait. The pain of your loss may be overwhelming, but it is crucial to seek legal counsel promptly to protect your rights and explore your options for holding the responsible parties accountable.

Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let our experienced and compassionate team help you navigate this difficult time and fight for the justice your loved one deserves. We serve families throughout San Diego County, including Poway, Santee, Lemon Grove, National City, and all surrounding communities.