Torrance Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

In Los Angeles County, you will find hundreds of for-profit nursing homes. So, how do you pick the right one for your family member? Depending on the level of care your elder loved one requires, you might be choosing between an assisted-living residence, nursing home, memory care facility, etc.

Doing your research is the best way to narrow down Torrance nursing home options. However, even the most thorough research does not guarantee that your family member will not become a victim of abuse or neglect in their nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or assisted living home. If something does happen, it is imperative you speak with an experienced Torrance nursing home neglect and abuse attorney right away.

The legal team at the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group has over 20 years of experience with nursing home abuse cases. Our top priority is helping clients protect their family members from nursing home abuse all across Southern California. You want an aggressive attorney who is not afraid to stand up to these nursing homes at trial if necessary. We have a proven rate of success against California nursing homes, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.

Four types of abuse are commonly found in nursing home facilities and assisted living centers. They are:

• Physical Abuse: An intentional act that causes harm to your loved one can be considered abuse. Physical abuse involves slapping, kicking, hitting, biting, shoving, grabbing, etc. It can also be the use of tight restraints. If it appears your family member was physically abused, please contact our office immediately.
• Sexual Abuse: The disturbing act of sexual abuse continues to be a problem for nursing homes around the country. Any “non-consensual sexual contact” is sexual abuse. Sadly, this is one of the most unreported and under-investigated acts of violence in nursing homes.
• Emotional Abuse: Psychological or emotional abuse often involves the use of threats of intimidation. Staff members may verbally harass, degrade, or insult the patient. Patients of emotional abuse often suffer multiple incidents as the threats and insults continue to pour in regularly.

To reduce the risk of abuse or neglect, family members need to be prepared and learn how to spot worrisome behavior and possible evidence. Start by reviewing and understanding what the common warning signs are in nursing home abuse and neglect.

Taking the time to learn the warning signs of abuse and neglect is imperative to help keep your family member safe. During every visit, you should be paying attention to your loved one’s overall condition, their room conditions, and their demeanor. Some of the warning signs you should be on the lookout for include the following:

• Cuts, lacerations, bruises, other wounds
• Multiple unexplained illnesses
• Bedsores
• Overall lack of hygiene
• Filthy and disorganized living conditions
• Unpleasant exchanges with nursing home staff
• Sudden and rapid weight loss
• Sunken eyes
• Dry, chapped lips
• Unexplained changes in behavior and overall demeanor
• Sudden depression or withdrawal from hobbies and activities
• Unexplained injuries that do not make sense or nursing home explanations that seem suspicious
• Unresponsiveness
• Unexplained and unexpected patient death

These are some of the main things to be watching for every visit. Do not fall back on your first inspection recollections as the nursing home could have seen an entire turnover of staff by now. Nursing home workers are underpaid, and that can lead to overall job dissatisfaction. Many health care workers at facilities like these move around a lot. You are not likely to find nurses and staff who have been there for years in many instances.

Nursing home abuse and neglect do have some differences. The main one is that neglect is often associated with negligence. There is a willful intent to harm a patient. In many cases, the nursing staff is overworked and understaffed. This leads to backlogs and problems like a patient not getting bathed or moved as often as they should be. Whereas with abuse, there is intent. Forgetting to bring a patient dinner might be considered neglect. However, intentionally not feeding a patient is a form of abuse.

Deciding whether there has been neglect or abuse on the part of the nursing home is not always clear cut. It can be a complicated process. That is why you need an experienced attorney on your side. If you need assistance with a nursing home abuse case in Torrance, contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today to schedule an initial consultation.