Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Pasadena Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence Lawyer

The nightmare of nursing home abuse and neglect is real for the aging and disabled confined to a skilled nursing or assisted living care facility. It’s been well documented that there’s been an increase in the abuse of elderly people in the care of nursing homes. It’s now estimated that between 1 and 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated in nursing homes. The state of California simply does not have adequate resources to insure the safety of the elderly at nursing homes.

A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study as of 2011, found that one in seven nursing home residents received anti psychotic drugs for unapproved purposes, including common sedation as a means to calm anxiety and/or foster compliance. The study estimated that 88% of those patients who were prescribed anti psychotic drugs suffered from dementia. Giving anti psychotic drugs to a patient with dementia increases the risk of death.

California Personal Injury Lawyer Handles Cases of Elder Abuse

The Law Offices of Richard Katz has handled thousands of personal injury cases, including cases of nursing home neglect and elder abuse. Attorney Richard Katz is based in Pasadena, California and serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County. A smart, dedicated, and an aggressive attorney, he has been practicing law for more than three decades and has built a thriving practice, fighting for the rights of his clients. We are committed to helping the elderly who have been injured or hurt because of the neglect the nursing home or caregivers, whether locally in Pasadeana or throughout California.

The law offices of Richard Katz have handled thousands of cases, including cases of elder abuse and nursing home neglect. Attorney Richard Katz is based in Pasadena, California and serves the greater Los Angeles area. A smart, dedicated, and aggressive attorney, he has been practicing law for over three decades and has built a thriving practice, fighting for the rights of his clients.

Nursing home abuse and neglect occurs when an elderly person is the victim of negligent or harmful behavior at the hands of their caregivers. In cases where injury results, the elderly or their family can sue for money damages. As in other cases of personal injury matters, patients in nursing home abuse and neglect cases can sue the nursing home, individual doctors or nurses, or HMOs such as Kaiser Permanente Unlike medical malpractice claims, the elderly or family members are not subject to the same caps on compensation.

Nursing home neglect often carry warning signs. One needs to be aware of these warning signs. Physical signs of nursing home neglect may not be obvious based upon the type of neglect. Frequently we see early warning signs of neglect in a nursing home. Warning signs of nursing home neglect may include:

Examples of injuries that result from nursing home abuse and neglect include:

  • Bed sores (a.k.a. pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers)
  • Bedsores, or pressure ulcers that develop or do not heal
  • Dehydration
  • Falls
  • Malnutrition
  • Respiratory issues
  • Sexual assault
  • Sudden changes in appearance
  • Sudden changes in personal hygiene
  • Sudden onset of infection
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Unexplained bruises, fractures and other signs of physical abuse or accidents
  • Unusual changes in behavior
  • Withdrawal behavior

The elderly often cannot defend themselves from such treatment. They have put their trust and their lives in the hands of those who should be taking complete care of them. Sadly, that’s not always what happens.The elderly potentially face life-threatening conditions and are often over medicated. The nursing home administrators and corporate owners set the stage to insure a profit but often at the expense of the elderly and in violation of California or Federal law. The state and federal governments do not have the resources to monitor all nursing homes properly.

Unfortunately these problems are not isolated matters. The problems are nationwide and found in many nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The elderly are at risk and become victims of neglect every day. Suing a nursing home or an assisted living facility is a way to stop the neglect and abuse. Litigation often causes improvement in care and compensation to the elderly or their family.

Free Legal Advice From a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney

We want to see justice done, and we welcome your call to discuss your case. If you or a loved one has experienced abusive or neglectful treatment in a nursing home, call Richard Katz at 626-796-6333 for free legal advicer. I will explain to you your rights, If we accept your case, there’s never a fee unless we win.

Richard Katz is based in Pasadena, CA, and serves the greater Los Angeles area. Neighborhoods we serve in Los Angeles County include: Los Angeles, Altadena, Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Hacienda Heights, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pomona, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Gabriel Valley, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Temple City, West Covina, Walnut. Neighborhoods we serve in Orange County include Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach and Yorba Linda. We also serve Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County.

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