Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a significant issue affecting many nursing home residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Unfortunately, many victims and their families are unaware of the legal options available to seek justice and hold nursing facilities accountable for harm.

That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced Long Beach nursing home abuse lawyer who understands how to protect nursing home residents and pursue compensation for the suffering endured by elderly patients.

Why Hire Nursing Home Law Center

At Nursing Home Law Center, our mission is to secure justice and fair compensation for those affected by nursing home abuse. Our skilled legal team has a strong history of handling elder abuse cases with care, consistently obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts.

We perform detailed investigations to cover all aspects of the abuse, ensuring that medical costs, emotional distress, and other damages are fully accounted for. Drawing on our extensive experience in nursing home abuse claims, we manage the legal complexities efficiently and work relentlessly to safeguard your rights. 

We provide compassionate and clear guidance throughout your case, keeping you and your loved ones informed, protected, and confident at every stage.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Nursing home abuse occurs when residents experience physical harm, emotional distress, or financial exploitation at the hands of nursing home employees or other individuals in a nursing home setting. Our Long Beach nursing home abuse lawyers are equipped to handle many forms of nursing home abuse cases, including:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves intentional harm to a nursing home resident. This can include hitting, slapping, or inappropriate use of restraints, leading to severe injuries or emotional distress. Restraints should only be used for medical reasons, and their misuse is a clear sign of nursing home neglect or abuse.

Mental and Emotional Abuse

Mental and emotional abuse occurs when nursing home employees or caregivers cause psychological harm through verbal threats, isolation, or humiliation. This type of elder abuse often goes unnoticed but can cause significant emotional distress and long-term psychological effects for nursing home residents.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility is one of the most egregious forms of nursing home abuse. It includes any unwanted sexual contact or exploitation of elderly patients who are unable to give consent or defend themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations.

Medical Malpractice

Cases of medical malpractice in nursing homes often involve bedsores, medication errors, or failure to provide adequate medical care. Nursing home patients may develop bedsores or other serious health complications when facilities fail to offer proper care, monitor their health, or follow federal guidelines.

Negligence

Negligence in nursing homes includes poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and even instances where residents elope or wander away from the facility unsupervised. Nursing home neglect can lead to severe health problems for elderly patients and falls under nursing home abuse cases.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse involves exploiting a nursing home resident’s assets, whether through unauthorized use of funds, coercion, or theft. This type of elder abuse is often perpetrated by caregivers or other individuals who take advantage of vulnerable nursing home residents.

Wrongful Death

In the most tragic cases, nursing home abuse or neglect can lead to the wrongful death of a nursing home resident. Families who have lost a loved one due to inadequate care, physical abuse, or neglect deserve justice through a nursing home abuse lawsuit.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Federal and state laws, such as the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, protect nursing home residents and ensure that they receive proper care and protection.

In California, state-specific regulations also provide guidelines for the standard of care that nursing home facilities must follow. These laws enable nursing home abuse attorneys to hold nursing facilities accountable when elderly patients experience abuse or neglect.

Eligibility to File a Claim 

The victim or their family members can file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. In some cases, a legal guardian or power of attorney can also file on behalf of the nursing home resident. Nursing home abuse lawyers will evaluate who is eligible to file based on medical records, the nature of the abuse, and state and federal regulations.

Liability in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases 

Liability for nursing home abuse can fall on several parties, including:

• Nursing home staff
• Facility management
• Corporate owners
• Third-party contractors
• Medical providers

How Our Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Can Help

Our Long Beach nursing home abuse attorneys have extensive experience handling nursing home abuse cases and have helped countless families seek justice. We offer comprehensive legal services, including:

• Free Case Evaluation: We provide a free consultation to review your case and discuss potential legal options.
• Case Investigation: Our legal team will thoroughly investigate the situation, gathering evidence such as medical records, witness testimony, and facility inspection reports.
• Filing the Claim: Once we establish liability, we handle all the paperwork and legal procedures for filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
• Settlement Negotiation: Many cases are resolved through settlements. We will negotiate with the defendants to secure fair compensation for the victim.
• Trial if Needed: If a settlement is not possible, our nursing home abuse lawyers are prepared to represent your family in court.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse Among Nursing Home Residents 

In Long Beach, California, there are 297 Medicare-approved nursing homes, with 133 (44.8%) receiving an overall rating of below or much below average. Health inspections are a more significant concern, with 171 facilities (57.6%) performing poorly in this area. 

Staffing levels are also an issue, as 134 nursing homes (45.1%) scored below average, which may reflect challenges in providing consistent care to residents. Interestingly, only 10 facilities (3.4%) have low ratings in quality measures, suggesting that most homes meet acceptable standards in this category. [1]

Abuse in nursing homes often goes unreported, but there are warning signs that families should be aware of, including:

• Unexplained injuries or bruises
• Sudden changes in mood or behavior
• Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
• Weight loss or signs of malnutrition
• Bedsores or other medical issues
• Withdrawal from social interactions
• Sudden changes in financial status

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect nursing home abuse, there are immediate steps you can take to protect your elderly loved one:

1. Call 911 if they are in immediate danger;.Report the issue to the nursing home administrator or management.
2. You can file a complaint with your local Ombudsman’s office, which advocates for nursing home residents and investigates suspected abuse.
3. Contact a Long Beach nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Damages You Can Recover in a Nursing Home Abuse Case 

Through a nursing home abuse lawsuit, victims and their families can recover financial compensation for:

Economic damages refer to the tangible financial losses that can be quantified, such as:

• Medical expenses: hospital bills, medication, rehabilitation, etc.
• Cost of ongoing care: home healthcare, nursing facility care, etc.
• Lost income: if the victim was working and unable to continue
• Property loss or damage: financial exploitation or theft of assets.
• Funeral and burial costs: in wrongful death cases.

Noneconomic damages compensate for the intangible, emotional losses that don’t have a direct financial cost, including:

• Pain and suffering: physical pain and emotional trauma.
• Emotional distress: psychological impact like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: inability to engage in activities the victim once enjoyed.
• Loss of companionship: emotional suffering of family members in wrongful death cases.
• Loss of dignity: abuse leading to humiliation or degradation.

Punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the offender and deter future misconduct.

The Cost of Hiring a Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Our Long Beach nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. This ensures families can pursue justice without the financial burden of upfront legal fees.

You Have Limited Time to Take Legal Action in Long Beach

It’s important to remember that there is a limited time to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. California’s statute of limitations requires claims to be filed within a specific period, typically two years from the date of the abuse or discovery of the harm. Delaying action could result in losing the right to pursue compensation.

Contact a Long Beach Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today!

If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse in Long Beach, our dedicated legal team is here to help you seek justice. We have the experience and resources needed to take on complex nursing home abuse cases and will fight to ensure that nursing home residents receive the care and respect they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.

Call us at (800) 926-7565, or fill out our contact form

References: [1] Medicare