Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Los Angeles
Legal representation for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Los Angeles
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility in the Los Angeles area, you have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation. The experienced Los Angeles elder abuse attorneys at Potter Handy, LLP can help protect your rights and pursue justice against the negligent parties.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of residents in a long-term care facility. This can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or verbal abuse, as well as neglect or exploitation. Signs of nursing home abuse can include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, sudden weight loss, poor hygiene, and isolation.
What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse?
If you notice any concerning signs that may indicate your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home or long-term care facility, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect their safety and well-being. Here are some steps you should take:
Keep detailed records and documentation of any signs of mistreatment you have witnessed, including:
- Dates, times, specifics of the incident(s)
- Photos/videos of injuries, unsanitary conditions, etc.
- Names of staff members who may have been involved or present
Contact Potter Handy law firm to understand your legal rights and options. Our lawyers can investigate the facility, build a case, and take action to stop the abuse and recover compensation for your loved one’s suffering.
Do not wait
The sooner abuse is identified and stopped, the better. Do not wait for the situation to worsen or assume the nursing home will resolve it properly on their own. Advocate firmly for your loved one and contact Potter Handy law firm.
Types of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
Examples of nursing home abuse:
- Physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other behavior that causes physical harm, pain, or mental suffering; or
- Deprivation by a caregiver of things or services that the elder or dependent adult needs to avoid physical harm or mental suffering.
Examples of nursing home neglect:
- Failing to provide adequate nourishment
- Reducing social interactions and contacts
- Leaving the person alone for extended periods of time
- Failing to provide adequate clothing for weather conditions
- Not meeting basic hygiene needs like bathing and teeth brushing
- Not seeking medical treatment for worsening physical or mental illnesses
- Failing to provide a safe environment that reduces the risk for falls and injuries
- Not providing necessary medications and physical therapy (medication mismanagement)
- Living in unsanitary conditions (insects, lack of utilities, faulty plumbing, faulty wiring, poor ventilation, etc.)
How Can a Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?
Our lawyers thoroughly investigate each case to document evidence of abuse/neglect and its impacts on the victim. We build strong cases and fight aggressively to hold nursing homes, staff members, and any other responsible parties accountable through claims and lawsuits.
You don’t have to be victimized twice – once by the abuse, and again by a denied sense of justice. Our compassionate attorneys advocate relentlessly for our clients to obtain the maximum compensation they deserve for their suffering, losses, and any applicable punitive damages.
Potter Handy law firm can provide invaluable assistance in holding negligent facilities and staff accountable, including:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the abuse/neglect
- Interviewing witnesses and obtaining evidence like medical records
- Dealing directly with the nursing home and their lawyers
- Explaining your rights and legal options in detail
- Filing claims and lawsuits against all liable parties
- Negotiating for a full and fair settlement for damages
- Taking cases to trial if negotiation is unsuccessful
- Protecting your loved one’s dignity and getting justice
With extensive experience in elder abuse cases, our lawyers understand the emotional turmoil and fight aggressively to obtain maximum compensation.
Understanding your rights
In California, elders and dependent adults in nursing homes have specific rights by law, including the right to:
- Be free from physical, mental, sexual, and financial abuse
- Receive appropriate medical care and personal attention
- Live in a sanitary, safe environment
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Make personal choices about care and daily routine
- Be free from physical and chemical restraints
- Have complaints addressed properly and in a timely manner
When nursing homes violate these rights through abuse, neglect, or substandard care, residents and their families can take legal action.
Legal actions
Depending on the specific circumstances, a Los Angeles nursing home abuse case may involve pursuing:
- Elder abuse claims or lawsuits
- Personal injury claims for damages
- Wrongful death lawsuits (if the abuse resulted in death)
- Claims against the facility’s liability insurance
- Lawsuits against individual abusive staff members
- Criminal charges by law enforcement
Potential compensation can cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, relocation costs, punitive damages, and more. An attorney ensures all available damages are pursued.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Abuse in California?
In California, there are strict time limits for filing nursing home abuse claims and lawsuits, known as the “statute of limitations.” It’s crucial to be aware of these deadlines and take legal action promptly.
- For Elder Abuse Cases: 2 years from the date of the abuse/neglect incident to file a civil lawsuit
- For Wrongful Death Cases: 2 years from the date of the victim’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the nursing home
If the statutory time period is missed, your case will likely be dismissed. There are some exceptions that may extend or “toll” the statute, such as if the abuse was not immediately discovered.
Contact Potter Handy law firm to ensure your claim is filed properly and before the statute of limitations expires.
Do I need a lawyer for my nursing home abuse case?
While it’s possible to try handling a nursing home abuse case yourself, having legal representation is highly advisable for several important reasons:
- Complexity of Cases: These cases involve complex personal injury laws, medical evidence, institutional policies, and more. Our team of lawyers understand the intricacies.
- Investigative Resources: Potter Handy law firm will thoroughly investigate abuse/neglect incidents, securing evidence, and identifying all liable parties.
- Dealing with Nursing Homes: Facilities are motivated to minimize payouts. Our lawyer’s level the playing field when negotiating with their corporate legal teams.
- Trial Experience: If a settlement can’t be reached, Potter Handy law firm will be prepared to effectively take your case to court and present evidence persuasively to a jury.
- No Upfront Costs: Potter Handy law firm’s nursing home abuse lawyers work on a contingency basis, covering all costs. You pay no fees until they win your case.
Attempting a complex nursing home abuse case alone puts you at a major disadvantage. Having an experienced lawyer maximizes your chances of a successful outcome and full compensation.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Claims
If your elderly loved one was the victim of abuse or neglect at a nursing home or long-term care facility in the Los Angeles area, you may have grounds to file a claim against the negligent parties.
An experienced Los Angeles nursing home abuse lawyer from Potter Handy, LLP can review the specifics of your case and determine all viable claims to pursue maximum compensation.
Filing a claim for damages
If your loved one was harmed by abuse or neglect at a skilled nursing facility, you may be able to file a claim for damages against the nursing home, individual staff members, and any other liable parties. Damages that can be pursued include:
- Medical Expenses: For all medical costs resulting from injuries caused by abuse/neglect
- Pain and Suffering: Both physical and emotional trauma your loved one endured
- Disability/Impairment: If the abuse worsened an existing disability or caused a new impairment
- Emotional Distress: For anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological injuries
- Disfigurement/Scarring: Such as from untreated bedsores or physical abuse
- Relocation Costs: For having to move your loved one to a new care facility
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded in egregious cases to punish the nursing home
- Wrongful Death: Damages Including funeral/burial costs if the neglect/abuse resulted in death
Free case review
If your loved one showed signs of potential abuse like unexplained injuries, weight loss, poor hygiene, or personality changes, we can determine if neglect or intentional misconduct occurred. Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation with a Los Angeles elder abuse lawyer. There are no fees until we recover compensation for you.