Los Angeles Elder Abuse Lawyer
Elder Abuse And Nursing Home Abuse: Los Angeles & Nationwide
We entrust our most vulnerable loved ones to the care of nursing homes. Nursing homes, in turn, promise that they will do their utmost to ensure that our loved ones are protected, nourished, and otherwise well-cared-for. Unfortunately, they do not always keep their end of the bargain. Elder abuse is an alarmingly common occurrence across the United States, both at home and in nursing homes. As many as 5,000,000 people are affected by elder abuse every year according to national studies. A 2020 study from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that over 64 percent of nursing home staff admitted to committing some form of abuse or neglect. If you have any reason to suspect your loved one has been subjected to abuse or neglect in a California nursing home, you need to act immediately to ensure their safety.
The Los Angeles nursing home abuse legal team at the Morris Law Firm takes elder abuse allegations very seriously. We will help you get your loved one to safety as quickly and efficiently as possible, and we will conduct a thorough investigation to root out any evidence of abuse or neglect. If we find a hint of abuse, we will make sure that the appropriate parties are held responsible. We fight to make sure families get the compensation and the justice that they deserve.
Types of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse comes in a variety of forms. Not all abuse is physical, and not all abuse is easy to detect. Depending on the circumstances, nursing home staff might engage in a wide range of abusive conduct. At Morris Law Firm, we will investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s nursing home conditions and unearth any form of abuse that may be taking place.
Physical abuse. Nursing home staff or other residents might physically harm elderly residents while residing in a nursing home. Nursing home residents can get kicked, punched, choked, scratched, bitten, pushed, shaken, restrained, tied down, or locked in a room. Sometimes staff will deny residents food, medicine, or other necessities as a form of punishment. Any type of physical abuse directed at an elderly resident can be extremely dangerous and damaging.
Emotional abuse. Malicious employees may subject residents to emotional and psychological abuse as well. Belittling residents, ignoring them, screaming at them, lying or saying other hurtful things, or forcing residents into isolation as punishment or “discipline” can do severe psychological harm.
Financial abuse. Elderly individuals often lack the complete mental capacity to make financial decisions. Nursing home staff and other caregivers might take advantage by taking the resident’s personal information, forging checks, getting them to sign up for or pay for various services, changing access permissions for bank accounts, or even getting a resident to change their will. Decisions made while a person lacks capacity do not carry legal effect, but the lack of capacity must be demonstrated.
Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a much bigger problem than anyone would like to believe. Staff may personally abuse residents, or they may allow other residents and even strangers to take advantage of residents too elderly or enfeebled to protect themselves. Residents may be forced to take part in sexual acts or witness sexual acts performed by a caregiver.
Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can be difficult to detect. Many nursing home residents who experience abuse are either unable to express to their family that they are being abused, or are too intimidated to do so. They might not even realize that certain conduct is abusive. There are many symptoms to watch out for that could indicate that your elderly relative is experiencing physical, financial, or emotional abuse in the nursing home.
If you notice any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to take action to protect your loved one. The nursing home abuse attorneys at Morris Law Firm will help you get your family member to a safe space and conduct a thorough investigation to get to the truth of the matter. Signs of elder abuse may include:
- Unexplained injuries including bruises, cuts, or broken bones
- Sudden weight loss or other signs of malnutrition
- Poor hygiene
- Unkempt environment, including unwashed laundry and unclean living conditions
- Mood swings or changes in personality
- Anxiety and depression
- Unusual reserved behavior or withdrawal from friends and family
- Fear of speaking about the conditions while in the presence of nursing home staff
- Unexplained financial transactions or missing money
Passionate and Dedicated Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If someone you love has been abused in a Southern California nursing home, call the Morris Law Firm at 747-283-1144 for a free consultation. We fight for justice for your family, and there’s never any fee until after we recover compensation for you.
