It’s never easy to decide an elder loved one needs committed, long term care in a nursing home or long-term facility, but it’s an increasingly common choice being made by California residents each year. California has an estimated elderly population approaching 6.4 million and will almost double by 2030. After making the choice to find professional care for your loved one, you rightfully expect they will be treated with compassion, dignity, and the highest standards of professionalism. Unfortunately, too commonly the trust caregivers and facilities receive is misplaced and your loved ones can be injured or worse as a result. If you or a loved one was injured or killed, speak to the Lake Elsinore Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers at Walton Law today to learn if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Nursing Home Statistics in Lake Elsinore
Lake Elsinore has a population of over 66,000 and growing, and its beautiful lake and picturesque scenery as well as a reasonable cost of living make it an attractive place for elderly individuals in California to retire. Nearly 10 percent of all Lake Elsinore residents are elderly, and that number will only continue to grow. This means there is a large, healthy nursing home and long-term care industry in Lake Elsinore that will only get busier – but it also means there are risks associated with the care of a large number of elderly persons for both abuse and neglect. If you are injured in this situation, it is important to contact a Lake Elsinore nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys today to protect your rights.
What is Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
Lake Elsinore permits criminal and civil charges to issue against those responsible for abuse or neglect in nursing homes of dependent adults or elders. Abuse and neglect are broadly defined and can consist of harms such as:
- Physical abuse;
- Sexual abuse;
- Abandonment;
- Kidnapping;
- Theft; or
- Perpetrating pain or suffering of any kind.
Usually, several varieties of abuse and/or neglect occur concurrently. A typical cycle involves initial abuse or neglect, followed by psychological abuse to coerce the victim into silence and allow the initial neglect or abuse to continue.
What are Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
Most signs of nursing home abuse or neglect are subtle; the insidious nature of this behavior requires it remain hidden to continue without consequence. Because of this, it is important to be alert and check for physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that could suggest abuse or neglect. Common signs are:
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior;
- Untreated bedsores;
- Cuts;
- Unexplained bruises;
- Burns;
- Malnutrition or dehydration with no associated, documented medical condition;
- Sudden behavior and mood changes;
- Sudden unwillingness to speak freely in the presence of their abuser;
- Lack of basic necessities; and
- Fear in their abuser’s presence or unwillingness to be left alone with them.
No two cases of nursing home abuse or neglect are the same because every individual and every circumstance is unique, so it is important to be vigilant for indicators not all is well with your loved one. It is important to speak up if you suspect anything and consult the knowledgeable Lake Elsinore nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Walton Law at once.
How Do I Recover on my Lake Elsinore Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Injuries?
Nursing home abuse and neglect injury claims are most usually successful when the plaintiff can show the accused party caused their harm by acting negligently. Proving negligence requires proving a defendant:
- Owed you a legal duty of care,
- Breached their duty by way of an affirmative act or omission, and
- The party’s breach was a cause of the victim’s injuries.
If you can successfully show all the elements of negligence, the responsible party will be liable for all the injuries you can prove in court. Victims can recover compensatory damages for damages including:
- Lost wages and lost future income;
- Medical bills;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Property damage.
Lake Elsinore also subscribes to California’s Elder Abuse Act, allowing in certain circumstances that nursing home abuse and neglect victims may recover enhanced damages in civil court. Punitive damages designed to punish vile and reprehensible behavior may be merited in certain cases as well if the stringent burden of proof is satisfied. Due to the complexity of the different burdens of proof for different damages as well as the difficulty in thwarting legal defenses and substantiating damages, it is best to have these issues dealt with by an experienced Lake Elsinore Elder Abuse and Neglect lawyer.
What Do I Do if I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
Preventing nursing home abuse and neglect of the vulnerable elderly is ideal; but when that does not happen remaining vigilant for changes in elderly loves ones is the next best course of action to recognize and halt abuse and neglect in its tracks. Many other actions can be taken if nursing home abuse or neglect are suspected – actions that can save your loved one and prevent others from suffering in the same way.
Speak Up
If you notice physical, emotional or behavioral changes in your loved one, if your suspicions are aroused, or if they confide in your they are being abused or neglected, speak up at once.
- Speak to the management at the nursing home or care facility.
- Speak to any number of government agencies specifically charged with protecting elders and addressing concerns about nursing home abuse and neglect.
- Speak to adult protective services.
- File a police report to alert authorities about potentially criminal acts.
Contact a Lake Elsinore Elder Abuse and Neglect Attorney
If you or a loved were victims of nursing home neglect or abuse, speak to experienced Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers at Walton Law serving Lake Elsinore and the surrounding area without delay. We have spent years representing clients just like you and have recovered millions for our clients’ injuries. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866) 338-7079 or using the form on our Contact Us to schedule your no risk, obligation-free initial case review today. Our knowledgeable attorneys will evaluate your unique case, explain your options, and start delivering personalized, compassionate representation without day. You will not pay unless we win your case. Let us review your case and work with you to obtain the best outcome possible from a very unfortunate situation.