Poway Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

For those who have elderly loved ones, such as parents and grandparents, living in nursing homes, it is easy to believe that the nursing home is providing the elderly person with a high level of care. Indeed, this is what everyone wants to believe - no one wants to think that their loved one is worse off in a nursing home than they would be somewhere else. Unfortunately, nursing homes often fail to meet expectations, and, in some cases, they are even full of staff who commit acts of nursing home abuse or neglect.

If you suspect that nursing home abuse or neglect is occurring or was the cause of your elderly loved one’s harm, please reach out to our Poway nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers directly today to learn more about how we can serve you. Our firm is based in central North San Diego County, and we are here to serve you.

Nursing home abuse can take shape in the following ways:

• Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is not only a civil offense, but a criminal one too. When a nursing home staff member engages in unwanted sexual activity with a nursing home resident, they are committing sexual abuse.
• Physical abuse. Physical abuse occurs when a nursing home staff member engages with a nursing home resident physically with the intent to cause harm. This might include denying a staff member medication, using medication improperly to control a resident, hitting or kicking a resident, shoving a resident, burning a resident, or improperly restraining a resident.
• Psychological abuse. Abuse is not always physical - it may be emotional and psychological, too. Examples of this type of abuse include refusing to allow a nursing home resident to participate in activities with others, bully or teasing a nursing home resident, refusing to spend time with or talk to a resident, and more.

Nursing home abuse and neglect are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Abuse is intentional, and in some cases, subject to criminal prosecution under California law. Neglect, on the other hand, is typically not intentional, and may be inactive rather than active. For example, failing to properly supervise a resident due to understaffing issues may be an act of neglect.

Knowing the signs of abuse and neglect is important, as if neglect or abuse is occurring, a person should take action. Abuse and neglect can be very damaging, leading to tragic injuries and even death in some cases. In some cases, nursing home abuse and neglect can be avoided merely by properly researching a nursing home and paying attention to residents and the nursing home’s overall condition when visiting. Examples of signs of abuse and neglect in a nursing home include:

• Multiple falls, with injuries resulting;
• Skin breakdown and the development of bed sores, ulcers, and other wounds;
• Unexplained injuries, such as bone fractures or bruises;
• Bruises, cuts, scrapes, burns, torn clothing, etc.;
• Infections, including new sexually transmitted infections (STIs);
• Dirty and unwashed clothing;
• Signs of poor resident hygiene;
• Deterioration in a resident’s condition, including weight loss; and
• Signs of unsafe or poorly maintained conditions within a nursing home, such as very few staff members for many residents, poorly maintained walkways and other tripping hazards, unclean resident rooms, and more.

You should also pay attention to your loved one’s mental state. If your elderly loved one seems scared, upset, angry, or depressed, this could be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect.

There are few things more shocking than learning that an elderly loved one living within a nursing home is a victim of abuse or neglect. If you suspect that nursing home abuse or neglect is occurring and your loved one has suffered harm and damages as a direct result, including either or both economic or noneconomic damages, our Poway nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group want to help. We can start investigating your case immediately, advise you of your rights, and help you to maximize your settlement amount. For a free consultation with our Poway nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers, please reach out to our team directly by phone or online at your convenience.