Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

After our nursing home nightmare, Walton Law Firm got us the answers we demanded... and the justice we deserved.

Abuse or neglect in the nursing home or long-term care setting is a growing problem in the United States and Southern California has not been spared. Walton Law Firm is one of the few law firms in the region who has dedicated a significant portion of law practice to the representation of individuals and families whose loved one has been abused or neglect in the nursing home, residential care, assisted living, or home–health environment. Our San Diego nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to advocate for you against a nursing home or other facility.

What is elder abuse or neglect? Under California law, it can be many things.  In the case of physical abuse, it is fairly obvious. Any assault and/or battery, in any form, upon someone over 64 years of age is elder abuse. Elder "neglect," on the other hand, is not so easy to define. In California, neglect of an elder or dependent adult is defined as the negligent failure of any person having care or custody of that person to exercise a degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would provide.

In a nursing home or assisted living setting, an elder or dependent adult can be neglected in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, the failure to prepare and follow a care-plan (or to update the care-plan), a failure to keep the resident free from safety hazards, the failure to nourish with food and water, the failure to provide appropriate care, and the failure to treat with dignity and/or respect.

[CLICK HERE TO SEE REAL EXAMPLES OF OUR NEGLECT CASES]

While abuse and neglect can arise in a variety of settings and situations, most cases are the result of poor care or understaffing, which result in the following injuries or illnesses:

Falls Causing Fractures or Head Injuries- A fall inside of a nursing home in and of itself is not evidence of neglect. But the conduct of the facility before or after the fall can be the basis for liability. Was the person a fall risk and were assessments performed?  Was a care plan made to address the risk, and were the recommendations followed? Was the care plan updated to address any new risks?  After a fall, was there a proper assessment performed?  Was appropriate medical attention sought in a timely manner?  These are but a few of the questions that need to be answered to determined whether a nursing home fall is the basis for liability at a San Diego facility, but the nursing home abuse attorneys at Walton Law Firm has handled numerous cases where No was the answer to one or more of the preceding questions.

Bed Sores or Pressure Ulcers - Also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers should never get so bad inside a nursing home that they are graded as a Stage III or IV. Any risks for bed sores should be assessed as it arises, and a proper care plan should address that risk. It is a rare person that acquires a Stage IV pressure ulcer absent some type of negligence.  Walton Law Firm has handled numerous cases related to bed sores and is well-acquainted with medicine that surrounds these painful skin issues.

Wandering or Elopement - More and more nursing facilities hold themselves as home for the "memory impaired," marketing to the growing population of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Special care needs to be taken with this patient population, who frequently possess decent physical health but poor mental health. Wandering and elopement are a constant concern, and facilities are required to protect this vulnerable population from hazards, including themselves.

Malnutrition or Dehydration - Nursing homes have a duty to make sure its residents are adequately nourished, which means a health sustaining diet, and sufficient hydration. For many, this requires diligence. Just a few days of a failure to provide adequate nutrition can have disastrous consequences, including death. Any illness or death thought to be the result of malnutrition or dehydration should be thoroughly investigated.

Physical or Sexual Abuse - Physical abuse can come in several forms, and from several sources. Sexual abuse by a caregiver or another resident is no longer a rare event, and should never occur, especially in a care facility that is offering professional care. The San Diego nursing home abuse attorneys at Walton Law Firm has represented numerous victims of physical or sexual abuse in a long-term care facility.

Walton Law Firm has represented clients in many lawsuits and other legal claims against Southern California nursing facilities, including, but not limited to the following:

• Alpine View Lodge
• Arbor Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
• Asistencia Villa Rehabilitation and Care Center
• Aviara Healthcare Center
• Atria Senior Living
• Autumn Years
• Banning Healthcare
• Beachwood Post Acute Rehabilitation
• Brookdale Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Claremont Manor
• Clairemont Healthcare and Wellness
• Collingwood Manor
• Community Care and Rehabilitation
• Continential Rehabilitation
• Country Villa
• Cypress Court
• El Cajon Valley Convalescent
• Eldorado Care Center
• Emeritus Senior Living
• Ensign Group
• Encinitas Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Evergreen Healthcare & Rehabilitation
• Grossmont Gardens Health Center
• Home Instead Senior Care
• Kearny Mesa Convalescent
• La Paloma Care Center
• Lanterman Developmental Center
• Las Villa Del Norte
• Las Villas Del Norte
• Lemon Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center
• Lifecare Centers of America (Vista, Corona)
• Manor Care Encinitas
• Manor Care Hemet
• Modern Home Health
• Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Paradise Valley Manor
• Paradise Valley Healthcase
• Point Loma Rehabilitation Center
• Ramona Manor
• Redwood Senior Home and Services
• Regency Oaks Care Center
• Santa Anita Convalescent Hospital
• Squirrel Creek Manor
• Springs of La Jolla
• Springs at Carlotta
• Springs at Pacific Regent
• Sun Bridge of Escondido
• Sunlit Gardens
• Sunray Healthcare Center
• Upland Rehabilitation and Care Center
• Valle Vista Convalescent Center
• Valley Convalescent Center
• Via Amistad
• Villa Bonita Senior Living
• Villa Rancho Bernardo
• Vista Hospital of Riverside
• Vista Knoll Specialized Care
• Waterman Convalescent

In reality, any unexpected injury, illness, or death may be a sign of abuse or neglect, and should be thoroughly investigated.  Please feel free to explore this website for more information about elder abuse and neglect, or call Walton Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer in San Diego.