Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Representing Victims of Elder Abuse in Los Angeles
Families often place their loved ones in facilities where they can receive the care they need as they get older. These families are told that their loved ones will be treated directly by certified medical professionals and that their loved ones will live in a peaceful, comfortable environment during their stay. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most, and our firm works to correct this injustice.
Smith Clinesmith has offices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and Los Angeles that are solely dedicated to seeking justice for victims and their families of nursing home abuse. We have many years of experience in this area of practice, and deliver a level of individualized care and attention to each case that makes our clients feel they are taken care of. We hate that this has happened to you, but we can help.
Different Forms of Nursing Home Abuse
Some forms of nursing home abuse come from a place of malice or blatant aggression, and some other forms come from a place of carelessness or neglect. Each is punishable in the civil courts, as well as at settlement tables. Wherever your case goes in the efforts to correct this wrong, we will be there.
What Compensation is Available to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse?
Elderly victims of abuse, as well as their families, may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages related to the abuse and/or neglect. “Damages” is a legal term used to describe the economic and non-economic losses associated with negligent or wrongful conduct.
Some examples of common damages available in nursing home abuse and neglect cases include:
Emergency medical care
Ambulance fees
Hospitalization
Medical treatments, such as surgeries
Rehabilitation and therapy
Ongoing and future medical care
Pain and suffering
Lost enjoyment of life
Disability
Lost income
In some cases, victims may be able to recover what are known as punitive damages. These types of damages are relatively rare, but may be available in cases involving egregious negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, or intentional acts of abuse or neglect. Unlike compensatory damages, such as those listed above, punitive damages are not intended to compensate victims for specific losses; rather, they are meant to punish at-fault parties and send a message that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Our attorneys at Smith Clinesmith can review your potential case and help identify the damages to which you may be entitled. When it comes to pursuing compensation for our clients, we leave no stone unturned and no possible avenue of relief unexplored. Our goal is to maximize your recovery and help you obtain the financial resources you — and your family — need to heal.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Because elderly individuals cannot always express when something is wrong or may be unwilling to speak up about abuse or neglect, it is critical that family members and loved ones know what to look for in order to recognize that an elderly individual is being mistreated.
Some of the common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
Falls/fall-related injuries
Signs of restraint, such as marks on the ankles and/or wrists
Sudden weight gain or loss
Signs of malnutrition and/or dehydration
Changes in mood or behavior, such as unexplained anger, agitation, or fear
Unusual signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders
Apparent unwillingness to speak or be in a staff member’s presence
Inability to visit a resident without a staff member present
Poorly maintained facilities/general uncleanliness or lack of sanitary conditions
Soiled or dirty clothing or bedsheets
Symptoms of over- or under-medication
Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
Changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, health care directive, or similar document
Elopement
One of the clearest signs of nursing home abuse is an elderly patient stating that they are being mistreated. Always take such accounts seriously and, if necessary, report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities right away. If you believe your loved one or anyone else is in immediate and imminent danger, call 911. All other suspected abuse/neglect can be reported to the nursing home or to the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Hotline at (877) 4-R-SENIORS (477-3646).
Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse
While it is true that old age carries with it serious health risks, and that some of these incidents cannot be avoided, many are blatant instances of neglect, irresponsibility, and little appreciation for human life.
In pursuing your case, we look at the following causes for your situation:
Insufficient supervision of the staff
Insufficient supervision of the patients
Insufficient training of the staff
Failure to properly screen the staff
In many cases, the nursing home can be held liable for one individual’s actions, because it is up to the nursing home to maintain and enforce standards that never put its patients in danger.
Contact Smith Clinesmith About Your Case Today
Our Los Angeles nursing home neglect lawyers work hard to protect the individual rights of the elderly. We provide all new clients with a free consultation, which is completely confidential. Please fill out the form below and see how we can help your loved one receive the care they deserve.
If you believe you or your loved one are the victim of any form of abuse in a Los Angeles nursing home or other form of elderly care facility, call our offices today at 1-833-3-DIGNITY.