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May 19, 2010

AA Citation issued to California Nursing Home following patient's death

The California Department of Public Health found that the Homewood Care Center in San Jose was negligent when an elderly patient who had been suffering from Alzheimer's died. The Department of Public Health issued a AA citation and fined the facility $80,000. The patient was being fed by a certified nursing assistant when he began to show signs of distress and inability to swallow. No paramedics were called until 20 minutes later as the patient writhed in discomfort. Once the paramedics arrived the patient was pronounced dead. California Nursing Home Abuse is an all too common experience. Being the victim of California Nursing Home Abuse or neglect can result in serious injury or even death. You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one was the victim of abuse. All nursing homes are held to the same standard and when their care falls below that standard they can be held responsible for negligence or intentional abuse. Call our leading California Nursing Home abuse firm today for a free consultation.

April 9, 2010

Man taken into custody at Long Beach Assisted Care Facility

At around 7 am this morning a man was taken into custody in a stabbing at a Long Beach assisted living facility. While little is known with respect to the stabbing the man was taken into custody for questioning. The stabbing occurred at the Crofton Manor Inn in Long Beach. The assisted living facility is located at East 5th Street and Cherry Avenue. California nursing home abuse can occur in all forms. It is unknown what the circumstances are in the above case. However, if you or a family member is the victim of California nursing home abuse or neglect you deserve to be compensated for the wrong committed against you. For instance, if a nursing home is found to be understaffed or there was a lack of supervision you could be entitled to compensation. Call our California Nursing Home Abuse lawyers today for a free consultation.

January 20, 2010

San Diego Nursing Home assistant charged with elder abuse involving sexual assault

A San Diego nursing home assistant is being charged with rape of an elderly patient. Felix Panem is being charged with elder abuse after an employee of the El Dorado Care Center saw him sexually assaulting a resident. Currently he is facing a 10 year prison sentence if convicted of the charges. Unfortunately, without the proper training and background checks employees of nursing homes can take advantage of the elderly patients that reside in their care. Instances of sexual and physical abuse are all too common. If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of California nursing home abuse or neglect, don't hesitate to contact our qualified attorneys today.

January 7, 2010

Family Awarded $7.75 Million in Nursing Home Abuse Case

In Ventura County, a family was awarded $7.75 million for nursing home abuse that was caught on hidden video cameras. An employee is caught on tape slapping and abusing the nursing home resident who is a stroke victim. The family noticed suspicious bruises, and because the victim is unable to speak and the nursing home did not investigate the allegations, the family set up a camera. The family was awarded $2.75 million in actual damages and $5 milion in punitive damages. Nursing home abuse is all too common and with victims who suffer from strokes, they have no voice to speak out against it. If you suspect any form of nursing home abuse, it is important that you report it and have it investigated. Our nursing home abuse attorneys can help by investigating the abuse and the nursing home. We will also work to make sure that your family member is safe and that you are compensated for injuries and suffering.

December 28, 2009

Large settlement awarded in California Nursing Home Abuse case

A jury found in favor of a Ventura nursing home abuse victim in the amount of $7.75 million when the 71-year-old patient was seen with unexplained bruises. Maria Arellano, a non-verbal, stroke victim had her hair pulled, fingers bent and other atrocious acts committed against her which were all caught on tape when the family placed a hidden camera in her room. Unfortunately, this kind of elder abuse is all too frequent. Even if a nursing home receives a high rating, as here the Fillmore Convalescent Center previously received a five-star rating, it does not mean that they are immune from bad employees or mishandling patients. Remember to remain vigilant and if you suspect that you or your loved one has been the victim of California Nursing Home Abuse then you must call a qualified California elder abuse attorney immediately.

December 23, 2009

California Ombudsman Program unsuccessful in responding to elder abuse

The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes suggested, earlier this year, that an overhaul must take place in regard to the State Ombudsman program. Inadequate funding and a lack of direction have led to ineffectiveness. In addition, new conflicting laws have severely restricted ombudsman ability to report abuse. The statistics show that a radical drop in the reporting of abuse or neglect to nursing home licensing agencies and Community Care Licensing. Many fear that more incidents of California Nursing home abuse and neglect are occurring but going unreported since there is nowhere for victims to turn. No matter what the circumstances of your California elder abuse case, it is vital to report it to a qualified nursing home abuse attorney. They will give the information to the appropriate authorities and make sure it is investigated thoroughly while working hard to get you the best possible outcome in your case. Contact one of our leading California nursing home abuse lawyers today.

December 21, 2009

Rising Senior Population creates greater need for California Nursing Home Abuse Watchdogs

In the next 20 years, California's senior population will double according to the United States Census Bureau. Rising from 3.7 million to 6.4 million, nearly 43 percent of these seniors will reside in nursing homes. Failure to comply with state and federal standards of care, violations of health and safety standards, undertrained staff, and physical abuse are all leading causes of California nursing home abuse and given the large increase and demand over the next 2 decades it is imperative that we act now. A number of agencies, whether they are civil or criminal work together to ensure that California nursing homes meet state and federal standards, this however may not be enough. If you or a loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect then the first phone call you must make is to a qualified California nursing home abuse attorney.

December 15, 2009

Nursing Home Staff Missed Red Flags in Woman's Death

A nursing home resident was strangled to death by her roommate and her son claims that the nursing home staff missed red flags. The district attorney on this case recently revealed that the victim had previously complained about her roommate making her life "a living hell." Also the night before the death, the roommate had punched a nursing assistant. The victim was found strangled and suffocated at Brandon Woods Nursing Home. This tragic case of elder abuse and neglect is still being investigated. Nursing home abuse throughout the United States is all too common these days as many red flags are being overlooked as nursing homes are understaffed or not properly trained. Losing a loved one to California nursing home abuse is emotionally difficult for anyone. While nothing can make up for losing a loved one, you can receive compensation for the nursing home abuse or neglect to pay for any financial burdens the death may have brought. You will want to contact a California nursing home abuse law firm for further help in pursuing a case against a nursing home and holding the guilty party responsible for their abuse or neglect.

December 13, 2009

Los Angeles County Increases Nursing Home Abuse Prevention

Nursing home abuse and fraud in California is a constantly growing problem. Los Angeles County is taking steps to further prevent fraud and nursing home abuse in the area. The Los Angeles County officials have made plans, which are being finalized, to hire and reassign 50 social workers and investigators who will spend time looking into fraud among those who care for elders and nursing home residents. By year's end, this strategy will need to be enforced as required by state lawmakers. In California and most other states, nursing home abuse is a growing concern and constant problem. Elders in nursing homes are physically, mentally, sexually and emotionally abused and neglected on a daily basis. It's crucial that laws protect the nursing home residents from abuse because many are trusting in the nursing homes to continue to care for their loved ones. With stricter checks on nursing home staffs, elders can be safe and healthy in all nursing home environments.

December 7, 2009

Three nursing home employees plead not guilty to charges

Three California nursing home staff members plead not guilty last week in a Kern Valley Hospital case of forcibly drugging elderly residents. The criminal complaint states that the residents were given psychotropic drugs to calm patients down, which then caused medical complications. Three of the nursing home's patients may have died as a result of the forced medicine. All three defendants are being booked into Kern County Jail and charged with elder abuse and two of them with assault with a deadly weapon. California Nursing home abuse is a terrible crime that happens all too often. Many nursing home abuse situations can end in death, but also can result in injuries such as broken bones, physical trauma, wounds, bedsores and other internal injuries. It's important to be aware of various nursing home abuse signs and if you notice any then you should be in contact with a nursing home abuse law firm for help and support.

November 30, 2009

Nurses Deal With New Standards in California Nursing Homes

Nurses and health care providers who have abused drugs in the past will be facing tougher standards laid out by the State of California. In order to maintain their licenses, health care professionals, after treatment, will be required to pay for regular testing. After any negative tests, a nurse will be able to go back to work, but will also be required to take 104 drug tests. However, the first failure of a drug test will immediately suspend a nurse's license. All nurses who require enhanced supervision can be publically identified. In nursing homes, patients are trusting the staff with their health and well-being. Nurses are held to standards because they are providing a variety of important care to patients. Nurses who neglect their jobs by being on drugs may be more likely to abuse or neglect patients as a result. It's important that health care professionals are acting properly in their profession and held accountable for any negligence they exhibit.

November 24, 2009

California Nursing Home Neglect leads to man's death

Valley Gardens Health Care, a for-profit nursing home, was caring for patient Robert Doscher when he fell and struck his head twice on the floor causing him to be in a comatose state and soon die. Valley Gardens knew that Doscher was at high risk for falling and should be on a plan where he was checked on every one to two hours. It was also recommended that his room be placed near a nursing station. However, three days after admittance, Doscher fell and struck his head and was then found by the staff on the floor. This was investigated and it was found that there was no proof that the staff was checking on Doscher every one to two hours, as well as the fact that his room was not near a nursing station. Just three weeks later, Doscher was found on the floor again. He was soon taken to the hospital in a comatose state where he died within 24 hours. It was found by the California Department of Health that Doscher was inadequately cared for by Valley Gardens. California Nursing home abuse cases can often result in death. Any number of accidents or injuries can occur in nursing homes including head trauma, broken bones, bedsores and other wounds. When the staff and nursing home neglect patients like Doscher, they should be held responsible for their lack of necessary care.

October 30, 2009

Nursing Home Abuse in Fallbrook leads to high Fine

A resident of the Fallbrook hospital District Skilled Nursing Facility died shortly after falling due to complications from a surgery. The nursing home was fined $90,000 and given a AA citation (the most severe available) when it failed to implement a plan to prevent the fall. The resident was considered to be at a high risk for falling yet expected measures to keep him from falling were not adhered to. A California nursing home has a duty to maintain the same standard of care that all other nursing homes would implement in like or similar circumstances. Failure to maintain that standard of care can result in negligence charges. Here, the California Department of Public Health stepped in and took action against the nursing home at fault. Many times seniors are unable to speak out against people who are not properly caring for them. In order to prevent further wrongful deaths, it is important that you contact a qualified California nursing home abuse attorney who can hold those responsible for wrongdoing liable. Contact our nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers today for a free case consultation.

July 13, 2009

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August 16, 2008

Encouraging the Empowerment of the Elderly: Providing Options to Redress Complaints through a Compassionate Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Elderly people who are victims of nursing home abuse oftentimes feel helpless, isolated, and uncertain. It can be difficult to reach out for help, especially if the elder feels that the person abusing them holds all the power. It's important to provide elders with the tools and resources to stand up for themselves, regardless of their current situation. Elder abuse can happen anywhere: a nursing home, a long-term care center, or even at the hands of family or friends. By making sure your loved ones have constant support and access to information, you can minimize the chances of someone you care for suffering at the hands of an unscrupulous caregiver. The National Center on Elder Abuse provides help and resources for elder abuse victims. Their state resource directory provides links to state agencies designed to help the elderly and their families to report any suspected abuse or neglect. In California, Adult Protective Services provides a list in .pdf format of the contacts for each county. These agencies can be an invaluable source of information, help, and assistance for anyone suffering from elder abuse. If you are a victim of nursing home abuse, or if you feel a loved one or friend may be a victim of nursing home abuse, report it! Letting elder abuse go unchecked can have devastating consequences, for both the elder and their family. The Law Offices of Young and Wallin specialize in handling elder abuse cases, and will help you fight back against nursing home abuse. The pain and suffering that a person goes through when abused by a person in a position of power and trust is indescribable. We will work with you to recover damages and to help you get back on the right path.

August 6, 2008

Depression and Elder Abuse: Nursing Home Abuse can Trigger Depression in Otherwise Healthy Residents

A sudden change in your elder's attitude, memory, or emotional health can be distressing for everyone. Depression is not uncommon among the elderly, and can include a disinterest in hobbies, eating, or communication with family members, along with memory problems, withdrawal from family and friends, as well as weight-loss. However, each of these may also be a sign of nursing home neglect and elder abuse. Because depression can signal elder abuse, it can be difficult to know whether or not your family member is being abused. In cases where there is a sudden change in behavior or attitude, speak with the staff, as well as any medical specialists that may be available to you. Some signs that depression may be caused by elder abuse are:  Bruises, burns or other unexplained injuries  Unexplained changes in medication or dosage  Indifference by members of the staff  Sudden, dramatic change in attitude by the elder without notification by the staff If you feel that your family member may be suffering at the hands of nursing home staff, you must act quickly and decisively to help your elder before the situation escalates any further. The Law Offices of Young and Wallin specialize in handling nursing home neglect and elder abuse cases, and will help you to recover damages and move forward with your life.

August 1, 2008

Deciding on a Quality Elder Care Facility: Choosing the Right Facility for Your Loved One Can Reduce the Chances of Elder Abuse

Your family's plans for elder care should begin far in advance of the actual need for a nursing home. Age is one condition that is guaranteed to progress, and planning elder care options before they are needed is always a wise move. When choosing an elder care facility in California, keep these considerations in mind:
Cleanliness/Lighting - clean, well-lit facilities demonstrate not only a staff commitment to a hygienic environment, but also a potential health benefit. Some studies have suggested that light therapy can help improve elderly patients quality of life.
Meals - nutrition is an important part of a healthy nursing home experience. Make certain that there are specialized menus available for those who need a restricted diet, as well as a variety of food options, regardless of what type of diet the resident requires.
Staff - ask about training, orientation, and hiring practices for staff members at the nursing home. If there are excessive turnover rates, it may be an indication of possible nursing home abuse through staff neglect.
Communication - make certain that it's easy to contact a manager or supervisor if you have any questions. Staff should be helpful and answer any questions you may have, or refer you to someone who can provide more information if necessary.
Appearance of Residents - do the residents seem happy? If the current residents seem well cared for and get along well with the staff, it can be a good sign.
Amenities and Programs - if your elder is in fairly good health and is active, you will want to be certain there are amenities and programs designed to promote healthy interactions, hobbies, excursions, and other events that can add to the quality of life. There are many different kinds of elder care facilities available in California. Choosing the right one for your situation can help you pinpoint any time the facility doesn't meet with your expectations. If you find yourself in a situation where the nursing home staff is being abusive or neglectful and you have nowhere to turn, the Law Offices of Young and Wallin can help you get the support you need to make sure the abuse stops and those responsible are punished.

January 1, 2007

Bribing the Elderly: One of the Lowest Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Many people have heard about the abuse and neglect that take place in nursing homes, but did you know that a common form of abuse is bribery?  That’s right; nursing home employees will actually play on the needs of the elderly to get what they want.  This twisted form of abuse is more common than many people think and causes a great deal of emotional and psychological damage to victims.  In nursing home bribery, the abusive staff member may use many things to bribe residents.  Basic necessities like food and water may be withheld so that employees can bribe residents by offering to give them food and water in exchange for information, money, or personal property.  Employees may also offer to break the rules or make special arrangements in exchange for something that they want for the resident being bribed.  Nursing home employees can use bribery to keep residents quiet about nursing home incidents or to get money, jewelry, access to a bank account, or the use of the resident’s former vehicle.  Residents often don’t report bribery because they fear getting hurt by the employee who bribed them, so this unfortunate practice continues without much notice from lawmakers and nursing home administrators.  The only way that nursing home bribery can be curbed is if family members stay involved in the care of their loved ones and watch for missing money and other personal property.  If this is noted, a discussion with the resident in question may yield claims of bribery.  If these claims are taken seriously, administrators can take positive steps to eliminate this travesty from the nursing home system.  If you feel your loved one has been a victim of bribery in a nursing home, contact a Riverside nursing home abuse lawyer to take action against the abuser.

If you have questions or comments and have concerns about the care a loved on is receiving at a California nursing home facility please feel free to contact Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Michael Young for a FREE NURSING HOME ABUSE CONSULTATION on your nursing home abuse matter. The California Nursing Home Abuse Law Offices of Young and Wallin has offices throughout southern California to serve you including an elder abuse law office in Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino County. Mr. Young handles nursing home neglect cases throughout the state of California on a case by case basis.

December 30, 2006

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Go Unreported?

If someone finds that a loved one has been abused or neglected by a staff member in a nursing home facility, it stands to reason that the family members will immediately report the abuse.  This isn’t always the case with nursing home abuse situations for a wide variety of reasons.  One of the major reasons is that the loved one begs family members not to tell for fear of retaliation or because of shame.  Abuse can often lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness.  Abused residents can also feel that the abuse is their fault because they did something wrong or didn’t do something that a staff member wanted them to do.  Whatever the specific reasons, many residents prefer to leave the abuse in the past and try to move on with their futures.  Family members may also fear retaliation if nursing home abuse is reported.  Instead of exposing their loved one to more severe abuse, these family members choose to keep the abuse to themselves.  Other family members may question if abuse really happened, especially if their loved one has dementia or other conditions that can cause confusion in elderly people.  While no one would think a loved one was making up abuse, some people may question how abuse occurred if the stories told by loved ones don’t match up with other circumstances.  Not reporting abuse just allows it to continue and doesn’t do anyone any good, so please report nursing home abuse if you know it is happening.  If you need help with finding more information on reporting nursing home abuse, contact a California nursing home abuse lawyer for more information on how to proceed.

The Nursing Home Neglect Law Offices of Young and Wallin provides free consultations to all those in need. If you suspect a loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse contact Mr. Young immediately to explore your options and preserve your rights. Elder Abuse Attorney Michael Young handles cases throughout California including Fresno, Bakersfield, San Diego, as well as nursing home abuse cases in Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Bernardino. Mr. Young is also will and able to handle nursing home neglect cases in Northern California including San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento.

December 24, 2006

Inadequate Staffing and Resulting Abuse and Neglect

One of the most common reasons that nursing home abuse goes undetected is that many facilities are understaffed.  Finding highly qualified and well-trained people to work in these facilities is difficult, so administrators must often settle for hiring individuals with little to no nursing home experience.  Some abuse and neglect may occur just because these untrained individuals do not know what is expected of them in terms of patient care.  Those who are abusive are able to get away with abuse because other employees are busy caring for patients and trying to do extra work to compensate for being short staffed.  Instead of being supervised and held accountable for their actions throughout each shift, abusers can get away with abuse because other workers are too busy to provide adequate supervision.  If activity logs are kept, they can be falsified easily because supervisors may be busy dealing with the needs of residents and may not know what is really going on during each shift.  Having a facility that does not have an adequate amount of staff members to meet the needs of residents is one of the top reasons why nursing home abuse and neglect occur.  If you feel this is one of the reasons why your loved one has experienced abuse, contact a San Diego nursing home abuse lawyer to find out what the best course of action is for preventing more abuse and holding the abusers responsible. 

The Nursing Home Neglect Law Offices of Young and Wallin provides free consultations to all those in need. If you suspect a loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse contact Mr. Young immediately to explore your options and preserve your rights. Elder Abuse Attorney Michael Young handles cases throughout California including Fresno, Bakersfield, San Diego, as well as nursing home abuse cases in Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Bernardino. Mr. Young is also will and able to handle nursing home neglect cases in Northern California including San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento.


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