Northern California Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers
Nursing Home Neglect
In 2003, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, released data showing more than 300,000 nursing home residents live in facilities where they are at "great risk of harm due to woefully deficient care." The quality of care nursing homes are providing is not living up to the standards required by law and because of it, nursing home residents are suffering. Nursing home neglect can affect the psychical and mental well-being of the resident and take form in several ways, such as:
Nursing home residents deserve to be treated with care and respect. A nursing home’s negligence or carelessness may seriously injure a nursing home resident and even cost them their life. Victims of nursing home neglect and abuse may seek justice and hold negligent facilities accountable for the harm and pain they cause not just residents and patients, but their entire families. At Estey Bomberger, our northern California personal injury lawyers have more than 70 years of elder abuse law experience. Our attorneys fight to protect the rights of victims of neglect and abuse, and ensure that families obtain the maximum compensation possible, and future acts of neglect are less likely to occur in the future.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home residents may not be capable of expressing pain or discomfort, or may not discuss abuse out of fear of retaliation or further abuse, so it is very important for family members to watch for any signs of neglect or abuse. The following signs may indicate nursing home neglect:
- Skin rash, wounds or tears
- Bed sores
- Lesions or bruises
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Anxiety or fear
- Unusual behavior
- Depression or mood swings
- Broken bones
- Urine or feces stained clothes or undergarments
- Poor personal hygiene
- The use of unjustified chemical or physical restraints.
Nursing Home Residents’ Rights
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 (NHRA) and the Residents’ Bill of Rights are laws that exist to protect the rights of the 625,000 nursing home residents that live in nursing home facilities. The Nursing Home Reform Act sets a standard of care for nursing home facilities nationwide requiring that they provide social, nutritional, rehabilitative and nursing services. Additionally, under the NHRA, an individualized care plan is created for each resident. The Residents’ Bill of Rights was drafted because the rights of the elderly were often being overlooked while in a nursing home setting. The Residents’ Bill of Rights guarantees civil and religious freedoms, and access to health, social and legal services to all nursing home residents regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ability to pay or source of payment.
When You Suspect Northern California Nursing Home Neglect
If you suspect that your loved one or family member is suffering because of nursing home neglect or abuse, or abuse or neglect in a hospital or long-term care facility, consider reporting it to a local elder abuse agency, such as your County Adult Protective Services (APS) agency or the California Department of Health Services (DHS). After you report the situation, you should contact an experienced northern California nursing home neglect attorney at Estey Bomberger for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights, options and obligations should you wish to file a claim for a loved one's abuse or neglect. The Northern California nursing home neglect attorneys at Estey Bomberger, an AV-rated law firm, can be reached anytime, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, at (800) 890-6722. All consultations are free, and we do not charge any fees unless we recover money for you.