A new California bill has been introduced specifically with elder abuse victims in mind. According to California Healthline, nursing employees as well as social, health and law enforcement employees will have to inform both an ombudsman and local law enforcement if elder abuse is suspected. Assembly member Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) introduced the bill because the current bill only required employers to report to one agency or the other, not both.

On top of this, another bill (SB 558) was passed by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to help lower the "burden of proof in elder abuse cases". This means that the evidence needed to convict one of elder abuse will not be as strict as it used to be.

If you suspect or have witnessed elder abuse, it is imperative that you report the abuse to the nursing home staff members as well as the local police department if the abuse is life threatening. Contact a qualified and knowledgeable California Elder Abuse Attorney today.

Posted by Michael Young at 2:18 PM | Permalink

The holiday season can be tough for families who have loved ones in nursing homes. California is the first state to publically post ratings of that particular facility. Depending on the quality of care, staffing and inspections, each nursing home will be giving from one to five stars. These ratings are intended to provide both patients and their family members with peace of mind by having them aware of their facility being in compliance of both health and safety laws. The Los Angeles Times states that "California is home to 1,235 federally rated nursing homes...Of those, 195 got the lowest rating, one start, and 187 got five stars". Nursing home officials and patient advocates home that the inspections and ratings improve within the upcoming year. Because elderly abuse can be prevalent in nursing facilities, the posted ratings will help each nursing home stay compliant, minimizing potential abuse cases. Although the ratings do help comfort patients and their family members, it is still recommended to speak with the staff members and to check out the facility to make sure it is what you or your loved one will be comfortable staying at.

Posted by Michael Young at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Michael Young at 6:40 AM | Permalink

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.

Posted by Michael Young at 6:08 AM | Permalink

If you or a family member is planning on residential care in a nursing home or other care facility it is important to ensure that you utilize all available tools to help your decision. one of the most effective tools is the Medicare Nursing Home Compare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency that oversees state and federal run programs, including nursing homes. There are strict standards that all long-term care facilities must abide with in order to receive state funds or remain accredited. Failure to comply with state and federal regulations can result in hefty fines and even closure of the facility. The Medicare site provides a comparison tool where you can review several different key factors about the nursing homes in your area. Putting an end to California Nursing Home Abuse is no easy task. There are many problems that are simply too large to overcome. However, as a consumer you can help. By researching the facilities prior to committing yourself or a family member to care, you can make informed decision. It is important to remember that nursing home abuse and neglect can happen even if you take all of the necessary precautions. if you or someone you loved has been involved in nursing home abuse or neglect contact one of our qualified California Elder Abuse Lawyers today.

Posted by Michael Young at 10:28 AM | Permalink

The Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, California was fined early last week for failing to prevent a 91-year-old woman from falling. The elderly woman was admitted to Tri-City after suffering a stroke and paralysis to her right side. She fell from her bed breaking her hip which could not be repaired with surgery. She was considered a "high risk for falls" patient and according to reasonable standards should have been equipped with pads and even a security alarm on her bed to alert hospital workers to potential disasters. Tri-City was fined $25,000 for "failure to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow its policies and procedures for fall prevention." Elder Abuse throughout the State of California can be a devastating reality that all too often results in an unnecessary death. Hospitals and Nursing Homes have state mandated procedures that are required to be followed. In cases as here where the proper procedure and policy for "high risk" fall patients was not followed, the hospital must be held accountable. Remember if you or a loved one has been involved in California Nursing Home Abuse or elder neglect you must contact a qualified California Elder Abuse Attorney who will handle your case with dedication and passion in order to get you the compensation that you deserve. Fill out our free online case evaluation today.

Posted by Michael Young at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In this article, we will give a brief analysis of the pertinent sections of California Statutory law giving rise to Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect that routinely takes place at skilled nursing facilities in California.

Continue reading "California Elder Abuse Laws and Nursing Home Regulations" »

Posted by Michael Young, Esq. at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)