Santa Ana Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers

With several hundred nursing homes and an even greater number of residential care facilities housing over 50,000 elderly and dependent adults in Southern California, there is unfortunately plenty of opportunity for abuse and neglect in the elder care setting. Even high-quality care facilities in places like Santa Ana have seen incidents of abuse and neglect. If you believe that a family member has been mistreated in a nursing home, the Santa Ana nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Southern California Nursing Home Law Group is here to help. Call or contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.

Elder abuse or neglect in the nursing home or assisted living setting can result in serious injuries and even death to residents in care facilities. It is important to know the possible signs of both abuse and neglect when visiting a loved one in a nursing home. The main forms of abuse are physical, emotional, and sexual. Common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Unexplained broken bones, sprains, or dislocations
• Skin ulcers, bed sores, or decubitus ulcers
• Unexpected death
• Multiple falls
• Bruising, scars, or welts
• Unusual behaviors that resemble dementia or regression
• Bruising around breasts or genital areas

Neglect happens when staff and administrators of a nursing home or residential care facility fail to provide basic needs and care, such as food, medication, water, and proper shelter. Nursing home neglect can cause just as much damage as nursing home abuse. Common signs of neglect include the following:

• Unusual weight loss because of poor nutrition
• Bedsores
• Unsafe living conditions, including faulty electrical, fire hazards, or lack of running water
• Unsuitable dress for the weather
• Not bathing a resident or leaving them dirty
• Evidence of insects or rodents
• Untimely transfers or failure to get medical care

If you see any signs of nursing home abuse or neglect on a visit with a loved one, talk to the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group right away about your suspicions of mistreatment. Our in-depth knowledge of the system and the law ensures that nursing homes will be held accountable for any instances of abuse or neglect, and we will zealously advocate for the compensation your family deserves for the mistreatment.

Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect can collect compensation for general and special damages related to their mistreatment. General damages compensate a victim for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life, as well as wrongful death damages if the matter involves a death. Special damages cover all out-of-pocket expenses caused by the abuse or neglect, including medical bills, hospitalization, additional long- or short-term care, and medical equipment.

While abuse or neglect can happen to anyone in a nursing home, there are some circumstances that put certain residents at an increased risk for mistreatment. People with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, are unable to remember certain details of abuse or cannot communicate with loved ones and that makes them more likely targets of mistreatment. In addition, residents with complex care routines or complicated health needs that are deemed more “difficult” are also at an increased risk for abuse or neglect. Other factors that can increase a resident’s risk for mistreatment include:

• Poor health of your family member
• Outdated facilities and inadequate building maintenance
• History of abuse or neglect violations at the facility
• High staff turnover rates
• High resident to staff ratio
• Failure to perform background checks on administrators and staff

If you identify any factors that may place your family member at an increased risk for abuse or neglect, it is critical that you look for other signs of mistreatment every time you visit your loved one.

Any claims of nursing home abuse or neglect in Santa Ana will be investigated immediately by our team at the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group. By specializing in nursing home abuse and neglect claims, our office is best positioned to get your family the compensation it deserves after injuries caused by nursing home mistreatment. Our experienced Santa Ana nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys will not stop until those responsible for the harm caused to your loved one are held accountable for their actions and your loved one receives proper care.

To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Santa Ana nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys, call or contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today.