Pasadena Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

The decision to place a family member into a nursing home is difficult. Narrowing down your choices for the right Pasadena nursing home or assisted living facility can be a stressful process. There are so many options in Los Angeles County, so how do you know you are choosing the best option for your family member? Doing your homework and in-person inspections is an integral part of the process. However, with abuse continuing to grow at nursing homes around the country, there is no guarantee that even the best-rated homes will not have a problem down the line.

When you suspect a family member has been the victim of abuse or neglect in their nursing facility, you need to contact an experienced Pasadena nursing home abuse and neglect attorney right away. At the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group, our team specializes in nursing home abuse cases throughout Southern California, including those in Pasadena.

Given the severe nature of these cases, it is imperative to work with a law firm that understands how the laws work and what defenses to expect from the nursing home’s legal counsel. Our lawyers are well-versed in important laws like the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. We have handled hundreds of cases and are ready to help you with your Pasadena nursing home abuse case.

Familiarizing yourself with the potential warning signs of abuse and neglect is crucial. You know your family member better than the nursing staff does. If you are regularly visiting, try to monitor how things are when you are there.

Nursing home neglect is different from abuse, yet still very harmful to the victim. Neglect means the patient is not getting the attention they deserve, whether that is medication, food, hygiene, medical care, etc. Abuse is when the nursing home staff withholds those things intentionally or physically abuses. Forgetting to feed a patient is neglect, telling the patient they get no food as some type of punishment is abuse.

We see neglect mainly in cases that involved:

• Dehydration or malnutrition (frequently associated with weight loss or gain)
• Bedsores or decubitus ulcers
• Falls causing injuries
• Infections
• Bed rail injuries
• Wandering or elopement injuries
• Other negligent acts that result in injury or death

Frequent visits with your loved one is imperative. Does the resident look clean and well cared for? Is the room clean, complete with fresh linens and towels? Are there any injuries that are new and unexplained? Does the resident appear in pain? If you have concerns or the nursing home has no answers for the questions you have, it is time to contact a Pasadena nursing home abuse attorney.

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse are the not as common as claims of neglect but can be more devastating. The types of abuse we see in nursing home claims are most frequently:

• Physical Abuse: Look for visible markings on their body. Do you see any lacerations or bruises? Make sure to verify there are no marks on the wrists from tight restraints. If there are unexplained injuries, like a broken bone, ask the nursing home for details on what happened. If they do not provide an answer that makes sense or you get the feeling there is more going on, contact us immediately.
• Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is also called psychological abuse. Staff members may yell or intimidate patients. The use of threats or repeated harassing behavior is also part of the cycle. In many cases, emotional abuse happens over and over; it’ is not usually a one-time incident.
• Sexual Abuse: Sadly, sexual abuse occurs in nursing homes all across the country. It is one of the most under-investigated types of abuse we see in nursing homes. Watch for wounds and bruising around the genitalia.

Look for non-physical signs that can also point to abuse. These can include severe mood swings, fear, withdrawal, anxiety, depression, etc. If there is a significant change in your family member’s demeanor, you will want to start looking into the cause. It could be a reaction to some type of abuse.

Do you need assistance with a potential case of abuse in a Pasadena nursing home or rehabilitation facility? Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today to schedule an initial consultation. Our top priority is to help protect the rights of your loved one. Let us show you how we can help.