Nursing Home Abuse
How Does Nursing Home Negligence Lead to Abuse and Neglect?
| September 17th, 2018
The owners and administrators of nursing homes in California and throughout the country have a big responsibility. They’re in charge of making sure millions of residents get the medical care and day-to-day living assistance they need around the clock. Nursing homes are big business, and it can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for residents to live in them.
The profits that nursing home owners and administrators make off of residents and their families isn’t always enough, however. To maximize profits, some nursing homes take the following shortcuts:
- Negligent hiring practices—People who work with residents who are elderly and suffering from serious illnesses should be thoroughly vetted and have spotless backgrounds. But some nursing homes hire people with records of criminal activities, violence, theft, and more in an effort to save time and money. Those hiring practices put residents at risk.
- Understaffing—There should be plenty of staff members available to handle all manner of needs and requests from residents at nursing homes. However, payroll costs can be significant to nursing home owners and administrators, and that can lead to some intentional understaffing, making it more difficult for residents to get the attention they need.
- Inadequate training—Caring for nursing home residents requires patience and plenty of hands-on training. But training programs can be expensive. Some nursing homes have little to no formal training for employees, which means residents’ well-being and lives may be in the hands of unqualified staff members.
If you suspect that your loved one was harmed in a nursing home, call the California nursing home abuse attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for Nursing Home Abuse Victims?
| June 18th, 2018
When residents of nursing homes are abused or neglected, their rights, their dignity, and their trust are violated. In addition, they may face serious physical and mental complications, including abuse-related injuries, worsening of health conditions, and psychological problems like depression and anxiety.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California nursing home abuse attorneys have seen the devastation that occurs when nursing home providers, healthcare professionals, and staff members are negligent or intentionally abusive. It’s our goal to not only bring the issue to light, but to also help victims and their families get maximum compensation for what they’ve experienced.
The types of compensation that nursing home victims and their families often receive at the conclusion of their claims include:
- Medical expenses—Many nursing home residents have health conditions that require medication, rehabilitation, or frequent monitoring and intervention to treat and stabilize. When residents are abused or neglected, their conditions may rapidly worsen, and they may require more intensive care, which can be expensive. We fight to help residents and their families get money to cover additional medical bills related to improper care.
- Pain and suffering—It’s hard to put a price tag on the suffering that’s caused when nursing home employees abuse or neglect patients, but it’s also an act that needs to be considered and compensated when claims are filed. If your loved one experienced pain, anguish, and reduced quality of life, we’ll make sure their experience is considered if we file a claim on their behalf.
Nursing homes are often well protected from legal action, and it takes an experienced and dedicated legal team to tip the scales in the favor of victims and their families. Call today for a free consultation to find out how we may be able to help.
How can a lawyer help if your loved one suffered nursing home abuse or neglect?
| April 16th, 2018
Making the decision to move your loved one into a nursing home isn’t easy. But millions of Americans have to make that difficult decision every year based on their loved ones’ health and the best interests of their well-being in the years to come.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that nursing homes can be positive places where people enjoy a strong sense of community and excellent care—but they can also be places where abuse and neglect occur frequently—even daily.
If you suspect that your loved one was abused or neglected at their nursing home facility, having a California nursing home abuse lawyer on your side can help to:
- Verify that abuse or neglect occurred—It’s important to have an experienced team on your side that knows abuse and neglect and can pursue it when the facts and evidence show it occurred.
- Link your loved one’s physical or psychological damage to the abuse or neglect—To have a strong case, it’s not enough to just prove that abuse or neglect happened. Our legal team can also prove that mistreatment at the nursing home led to serious physical and mental health problems.
It’s important to act right away if you suspect abuse or neglect. In addition to protecting your loved one’s rights, acting fast also means reducing their risks of suffering serious abuse and neglect-related complications and illnesses.
Call us today for a free consultation to find out how we may be able to help.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
| December 5th, 2017
There are many signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. Bed sores, unexplained weight loss, bruises, and a sudden worsening of health are just a few indicators that nursing home residents may not be getting the care they deserve. But what should you do if you suspect that your family member’s health and well-being are at risk because of an understaffed or poorly monoitored nursing home?
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California nursing home abuse lawyers do everything we can to help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve after poor and potentially harmful treatment in nursing home facilities. However, it’s also important for family members to act immediately to help their loved ones avoid further health problems and to get them on the path to recovery.
If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, you should:
- Speak with a doctor, nurse, or manager. A healthcare professional or member of management staff at the nursing home can evaluate your loved one’s condition and may be able to shed light on what’s happening.
- Call 911 if your loved one’s health is in immediate danger. In some cases, nursing home abuse and neglect can be life-threatening. If your loved one’s health issues are being ignored or improperly treated, he or she may need transportation to a hospital.
In addition to making sure your loved one is okay, it’s also important to make sure that he or she, as well as your family, is properly compensated for the nursing home’s negligence. It’s our goal to help you get the money you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
Who Should You Talk to if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
| October 9th, 2017
When loved ones develop long-term health problems that they aren’t capable of handling on their own, nursing homes can help bring their families peace of mind. Whether a loved one’s health and independence is compromised due to age or illness, the process of finding a quality nursing home facility can be a difficult transition for everyone involved.
Choosing a nursing home for a loved one can be made easier simply by knowing that they will be in a place with around-the-clock care and personalized attention. However, not all nursing homes meet the standards people expect. In fact, some are understaffed, under-budgeted, or staffed by untrained workers who neglect and even abuse residents.
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s important to talk to the following people:
- Your loved one – Ask your loved one what happened and get as much information as possible, including when the abuse occurred and whether it has happened before.
- Nursing home management – Ask to speak with a manager or supervisor at the nursing home right away. Make sure they are aware of any potentially dangerous conditions, staff behaviors, or oversights.
- A California nursing home abuse lawyer – All California nursing home residents have rights granted by the state, and our legal team wants to help protect your loved one’s rights.
Finding out that your loved one was abused or neglected while living in a nursing home is devastating, but we’re here to help. Call Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Nursing Home Neglect: Recognize the Signs and Save a Life
| July 10th, 2017
Our lives are a series of chapters that make up a larger story. That story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. When you were determining which nursing home facility was best for your aging loved one, you made that decision knowing that it would probably be the last place your loved one would call home. Understandably, you want this final chapter in life to be one of comfort and dignity, which is why you chose the facility you did. Now you suspect your loved one has suffered neglect or abuse, and you don’t know what to do.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know what you’re going through. Nursing home neglect or abuse can be present in any California facility. All it takes is one careless or mean-spirited employee to put your loved one at risk. But how do you know if abuse exists? First, you look for the signs. These can include:
- bed sores
- pale complexion
- broken bones
- poor nutrition
- unexplained bruises or injuries
- changes to medication
- weight changes
- sudden infections
- and more
After recognizing signs of abuse, you should get your loved one to safety as soon as possible. Their lives may depend on your action, so don’t delay. Call an experienced San Francisco nursing home abuse attorney to learn how to protect your loved one’s rights. They may be entitled to compensation for what they’ve gone through, and we’re ready to help them secure it. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Nursing Home Abuse: Looks Can Be Deceiving
| February 6th, 2017
Placing your aging loved one into a nursing home and assisted living facility isn’t how you envisioned the final chapter of their lives beginning. If it were possible to take care of them 24/7 on your own, you would probably like to do so. However, that’s not always the reality.
The next best thing is a finding a nursing home that will care for your loved one as you would, while upholding their dignity in the process. You did all the research, visited all the different facilities your loved one could afford, and selected the one you felt was a good match. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving from the outside.
Every year, thousands of nursing home abuse claims are filed across the United States on behalf of victims. However, for every victim who receives justice, there are many who suffer in silence. Whether it’s due to intimidation from nursing home staff or an inability to recognize the harm that is being done to them, they tell no one what they’re going through.
That’s why it’s vitally important that you do not ignore any indicators that your loved one is being abused or neglected, such as:
- bed sores,
- broken bones,
- poor nutrition,
- unexplained injuries,
- over-sedation,
- and weight changes.
If you suspect your aging loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll protect your loved one’s rights as we fight to get them the compensation they deserve. Don’t wait to get them the legal help they need. Call us today.
Nursing Home Abuse: Know What to Look For
| December 5th, 2016
No one wants to be a burden, especially your aging loved one. They decided it was time to seek assisted care because they knew their needs were greater than any one person could provide. You helped them find the best facility you could, but you don’t know what goes on once you leave, making it hard to know if your loved one is getting the care they deserve.
That’s why it’s important that you constantly ask your aging loved one if they feel they’re being treated with dignity and respect, as well as look for signs of abuse or neglect. Here are some common signs that your loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse:
- Abnormally pale complexion
- Bruises in a pattern that suggest restraints
- Excessive and sudden weight loss
- Fleas, lice, or dirt on resident or in resident’s room
- Poor personal hygiene or other unattended health problems
- Torn clothing or broken personal items
- Unpleasant odors
- Untreated bedsores, wounds, cuts, bruises, or welts
If you suspect your aging loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, contact our San Francisco nursing home abuse lawyers today for a free consultation. We’ll take immediate steps to ensure your loved one’s safety while working to hold the offending facility responsible for their neglect. Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today.
8 Indicators of Nursing Home Abuse
| September 6th, 2016
One of the hardest decisions any of us will ever have to make is to move an aging loved one into a nursing home. Even though we can’t provide the round-the-clock attention that they need, we still wish that we could. Instead, we try to find the best facility to care for their needs with the utmost respect and dignity. Although we visit regularly, it’s sometimes hard to tell whether or not their being treated the way we expect.
Identifying nursing home neglect or abuse requires knowing what to look for. Here are 8 indicators that your loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse:
- Pale complexion
- Bedsores or bruises that suggest restraint
- Excessive and sudden weight loss
- Fleas, lice, or dirt in the resident’s room
- Poor personal hygiene
- Torn clothing or broken personal items
- Odors of urine or feces
- Untreated wounds, cuts, bruises, or welts
However, suspecting abuse and proving abuse are two very different things. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped San Francisco families in your same situation prove neglect while protecting their loved one’s rights at the same time. If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, give us a call immediately for a free consultation.
Potential Case of California Nursing Home Abuse Reported
| October 19th, 2015
Elder abuse is a serious problem in California’s long-term care system. In fact, the California nursing home abuse lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers recently learned of an incident in San Diego County where two caregivers exploited a dementia patient by filming her while nude and posting the video to social media.
ABC 10 News says the incident occurred at LifeHOUSE Healthcare Center. Reports indicate the victim was preparing to take a shower when two caregivers began to record the victim on a cellphone. Both workers were said to be laughing at the woman throughout the video uploaded onto the social media network, Snapchat. A screenshot of the video was captured and was sent to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to be investigated further.
Both workers were confronted about the incident by LifeHOUSE management, and both employees were suspended without pay from their positions with the company while the investigation is being conducted.
This isn’t the first instance of a patient being harmed by caregivers at LifeHOUSE. The facility settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of a patient who died while under the care of the facility’s staff.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we believe in protecting elderly citizens from the risks of abuse and neglect. That’s why our California personal injury attorneys suggest following these tips if your loved one is living in a nursing home:
- Be Present– Patients who have regular visitors are less likely to become the victims of abuse.
- Be Vigilant– Keep an eye out for signs of abuse, such as changes in behavior and unexplained bruises or cuts.
- Be Active– If you suspect your loved one is being abused, don’t hesitate to take action and report the case to the proper authorities.
We hope these tips help keep your loved one safe!