San Bernardino Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Compassionate Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Serving San Bernardino, CA
Nursing home abuse is an ever-increasing problem that endangers the lives of our elderly loved ones. If you have a loved one in San Bernardino who has reported abuse, or you have reason to suspect elder abuse, contact the law firm of Aitken * Aitken * Cohn for experienced and compassionate representation. The first course of action for your San Bernardino nursing home abuse attorney is to help put a stop to the abuse and ensure the immediate safety of the resident. The next step is a thorough investigation and an elder abuse lawsuit. Our firm has the experience and compassion you need to help you through this troubling time and will do whatever we can to expose any wrongdoing and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for their actions.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can take many forms, ranging from emotional or psychological abuse, to outright physical violence and sexual assault. Many nursing home residents are unable to communicate or may be intimidated into silence. Warning signs of elder abuse include abrupt changes in behavior, decreased communication, rapid weight loss, unexplained injuries or a staffer that seems unwilling to leave you alone with the resident.
A San Bernardino nursing home abuse lawyer can assist you with any type of elder abuse, including:
- Verbal and emotional abuse – can include swearing or yelling, manipulation, and condescension
- Negligent care/neglect – can include a lack of proper hygiene, poor nutrition and dehydration, failure to care for bed sores and over-medication
- Physical abuse – can include slapping, punching, or other methods of beating, and the use of restraints to confine patients to their beds
Causes Of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home neglect and abuse are unfortunate occurrences that can occur unexpectedly, with reports suggesting that these issues have affected nearly one in every three care facilities nationwide. Nursing home neglect can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Understaffing: When nursing homes are inadequately staffed, residents receive limited individual attention, heightening the risk of neglect. A federal study conducted in 2018 revealed that a majority of assisted living facilities in the United States are grappling with understaffing issues.
- Negligent Hiring: Owing to severe understaffing, many nursing homes may fail to conduct thorough background checks and verify the qualifications of job candidates, potentially leading to the hiring of individuals with a history of abusive behavior.
- Inadequate Training: Staff members in nursing homes who receive inadequate training are more likely to engage in neglectful behaviors. Improperly trained staff members are also prone to making medication errors, mishandling elderly residents, and contributing to other issues that affect the well-being of those under their care.
If you believe your family member is experiencing nursing home abuse, contact our San Bernardino nursing home abuse attorney today for assistance.
Contact a San Bernardino Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When the trust that you and your elderly loved one has placed in the hands of a nursing home is broken, you have legal options. Elder abuse is a crime, and the individuals and facilities responsible for the conditions can also be held financially responsible.
Compensation for nursing home abuse can include money for medical treatment as well as the pain and suffering incurred. Contact the law firm of Aitken * Aitken * Cohn today to speak with an experienced San Bernardino nursing home abuse lawyer who can help you obtain justice in your case.