Nursing Home Abuse
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse and How to Prevent Them
| October 5th, 2015
The elderly population in the United States is suffering abuse and neglect at an alarming rate. Estimates show that 1-in-10 American citizens over age 65 will be harmed by a loved one or caregiver this year. However, officials say that number could be much higher, considering only 1-in-44 cases of nursing home abuse or neglect is reported. These numbers leave many elderly citizens and their families wondering what some of the most common types of abuse and neglect are and what can be done to prevent such acts from occurring. An article from Consumer Reports highlights some of the most common ways the elderly are taken advantage of in today’s society. Telephone scams are emerging as one of the most common ways financial abuse is occurring today, but verbal and physical abuse occurs regularly as well. There are several steps we can take to protect our loved ones from being harmed at the hand of others though. One of the best ways is to simply be present. This means visiting often and being active in a loved one’s care. Check your loved one for signs of physical abuse, such as cuts or bruises, and ask them about the care they receive. If you have any suspicions that your loved one isn’t receiving the care they deserve, report the matter to the nursing facility’s management, as well as the proper authorities. We believe in protecting the health and rights of the elderly at Berg Injury Lawyers, and our California personal injury attorneys hope this information helps you to keep your loved one safe.Drug Injuries Raise Questions Regarding California Nursing Home Abuse
| July 6th, 2015
Nursing home abuse can be defined as any willful or negligent act that causes harm to an elderly patient. One of the most common forms of nursing home abuse being reported today involves giving patients medications that may be unsafe. Our California nursing home abuse lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers point out that antipsychotic medications are often given to patients as a form of “chemical restraint”, regardless of warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying the drugs may be unsafe for elderly patients to use. Haldol is one of the medications in question. The drug is typically used to treat patients suffering from a range of mental disorders, but sometimes the drug is used on nursing home patients as a means to control behavior. The practice is considered unsafe since data indicate the drug has been linked to heart failure in elderly patients. An article from ABC 10 News highlighted the story of a woman who lost her mother after nursing home staff administered the drug. The victim was considered healthy when she checked into the nursing home, but within two weeks her condition began to deteriorate rapidly and she died a short time later. The family of the victim has filed a complaint against the nursing home, claiming their actions are directly responsible for her loss. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks that can come with administering a medication to a patient. That’s why our California personal injury lawyers suggest being fully aware of any medications a nursing home may be distributing to your loved one.
