Palmdale Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

When it comes to finding a suitable nursing home for your family member, it can be one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. How do you decide on the right one with hundreds of nursing homes in Los Angeles County? What happens if your family member suffers harm at the facility?

Understandably, you have a right to be concerned. Abuse at nursing homes all around the United States continues to rise. If you believe your family member is a victim, it is imperative to speak with an experienced Palmdale nursing home abuse and neglect attorney right away.

Our lawyers at the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group specialize in helping clients with suspected cases of nursing home abuse or neglect. We have handled cases from all over Los Angeles County, including Palmdale. Given the serious nature of your case, you are wise to choose a firm that specializes in these types of cases and fully understands the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, a specialized area of California law. Our team has resolved hundreds of nursing home abuse cases, and we are ready to help with your Palmdale nursing home case.

Potential Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Taking the time to learn the potential warning signs of abuse and neglect is essential. You are the one who knows your family member best and can detect changes during your regular visits. Try to keep notes and monitor how they are doing from one visit to the next. Has their demeanor or behavior changed in any way? Are they suddenly more withdrawn? How is the condition of their room — does it always appear messy and dirty?

Start asking yourself these crucial questions and familiarize yourself with the signs. If you believe something is going on, do not hesitate to contact us. It is better to be overly concerned than not concerned enough.

Several different types of abuse can occur in a nursing home facility. These are physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. Here is more information on what you can look for with each type of abuse:

• Physical Abuse: Unexplained wounds, bruises, and lacerations are common in cases of physical abuse. You also want to check for marks on the wrists that would indicate tight bindings or restraints. If your family member suddenly has an unexplained broken bone, ask questions right away. If you do not like the staff’s answers, then it is time to contact our Palmdale nursing home abuse lawyers.
• Sexual Abuse: Check for unexplained wounds around the genital areas. Is your family member sick and suddenly tests positive for an STI or STD you know they never had? In the case of younger patients, there is also a risk of impregnating the patient during one or more episodes of sexual abuse.
• Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse can involve harassment, demeaning comments, threats, and more. With emotional abuse, the behavior tends to occur repeatedly. It is not usually limited to one single outburst.

There are plenty of non-physical signs that can point to nursing home abuse, as well. These include anxiety, sudden depression, severe mood swings, losing interest in their favorite hobbies and activities, etc.

What is Considered Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect differs from nursing home abuse in some ways. However, both are incredibly harmful to a person. Neglect can happen when a nursing home does not provide the proper level of care and attention to a patient. This can be not giving them the appropriate dosage of medication or forgetting to bring a meal. It can also be a failure to help with daily hygiene tasks, etc.

At Southern California Nursing Home Law Group, we see neglect most in cases involving:

• Bedsores / Pressure ulcers / Skin Wounds
• Dehydration / Malnutrition
• Falls (causing fractures or head injuries)
• Infections
• Bed rail injuries
• Wandering / Elopement
• Other negligent care that causes injury.

Neglect can cross the line into abuse when the actions are intentional. Neglect involves negligence when staff forgets to bring a food tray or their regular dosage of medication. It becomes abuse when the staff does so intentionally.

Contact an Experienced Palmdale Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

If you are concerned about the welfare of your family member who is currently in a Palmdale assisted living facility or nursing home, contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today to schedule an initial consultation. Let us help protect your family’s rights and hold the nursing home accountable for any wrongdoing.

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