GET HELP FROM A NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYER
IN WEST COVINA, LEM GARCIA
Nursing homes in West Covina and throughout Los Angeles usually provide excellent care and service to seniors who need help with the daily activities of living. When someone you care about is in a nursing home you trust that they will treat them with respect and dignity. However, there are those unfortunate times when nursing homes and convalescent homes grossly violate this trust and the law.
WHAT IS NURSING HOME ABUSE?
Nursing home abuse and neglect comes in many different forms. Nursing homes can be held liable for nursing home violations, which are detailed in the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act. Nursing homes can also be held liable for nursing home abuse and negligence based on negligence principles. Negligence cases include but are not limited to the following:
- Verbal abuse,
- Physical abuse (hitting, choking, physical restraints, burns, etc.
- Sexual abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Bed and pressure sores
- Medication mistakes
- Falls
- Clogged breathing tubes
- And much more.
If you or someone you know is a victim of nursing home abuse, convalescent home abuse, or assisted living facility abuse, you need to act quickly to end the situation once and for all, gather and preserve important evidence, and seek justice.
WHAT IS A NURSING HOME VIOLATION?
Generally speaking, nursing homes and convalescent homes are controlled by Title 22 and the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act. Title 22 provides the requirements nursing homes in California must meet to get their license. In short, nursing homes must provide the following:
- safe and healthful living accommodations
- personal assistance and care
- observation and supervision
- planned activities
- food service
- arrangements for getting incidental medical and dental care.
The 1987 Home Reform Act sets the standard of care for nursing homes, convalescent homes, and assisted living facilities. Its purpose was to protect those who need help with the daily activities of living from neglect and and abuse. To this end, assisted living facilities are required to provide the following:
- Individual care plans for each person
- Full-time social worker (facilities with more than 120 beds)
- Medical and pharmaceutical services
- Nursing services
- Rehabilitation services
- Social services
- Nutritional/dietary services.
COMMON WARNING SIGNS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE
Nursing home abuse can go undetected for months or even years without anyone knowing. Due to circumstances beyond our control, our loved ones may be being victimized at their assisted living facility. If you think that someone you love is being abused in their nursing home, here are some signs for you to be on the lookout for when you visit them.
- Excessive weight loss,
- Quick and inexplicable weight loss,
- Random injuries
- Bruises, scrapes, scratches, burns, etc.
- Bed sores
- Uneasiness, paranoia, excitable
- Powerful drugs to sedate
- Caretaker finds it difficult to explain the patient's condition.
If you notice one or more of these signs, it may be time to probe into the issue further to make sure that your loved one is being treated with respect and dignity.
SOMEONE I KNOW IS BEING ABUSED, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
End the abuse as soon as possible. Make sure your loved one is being taken care of appropriately and safely. As soon as you and your loved one are physically and emotionally ready, give me a call and I can answer any questions or concerns that you might have.
TALK TO A LAWYER FOR FREE
When you believe that a loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect in West Covina and Los Angeles, give elder abuse attorney, Lem Garcia a call to take action quickly. Case consultations are always free of charge and obligation.
Call (626) 337-1111 or text (626) 252-2168
WEST COVINA NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYER, LEM GARCIA
1720 W. Cameron Ave. Ste. 209 West Covina, CA 91790 - (626) 337-1111
