Many Americans carefully select nursing homes or residence care facilities for loved ones who are no longer able to care for themselves. The unfortunate reality is that some of these facilities fail to provide adequate staffing to properly care for all their residents. Without adequate staffing or proper care, the elderly residents are at an increased risk of getting hurt. This can result in needing a lawyer for nursing home falls and fractures in Los Angeles. If your elderly loved one has suffered a fall and/or fracture at a nursing home, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. The nursing home falls and fractures attorneys at Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team, LLP, have guided clients through the process of seeking justice for elder abuse or neglect, and they are ready to assist you.
What Does the State of California Consider Elder Abuse or Neglect?
California state law (Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610) defines elders as those individuals who are sixty-five years of age or older. Elder abuse occurs whenever physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment leads to harm, pain, or mental suffering to an elder. Undue influence, deprivation of services or goods needed to avoid physical harm, or mental suffering can also be considered elder abuse.
Elder neglect occurs whenever a caregiver fails to adequately assist with an elder’s personal hygiene; fails to supply them with sufficient food, clothing, or shelter; or does not protect an elder from health and safety hazards. This may be less egregious than outright abuse, but it still can leave lasting repercussions.
Both elder abuse and elder neglect can result in severe injury to older adults, including possible nursing home falls and fractures. California law offers potential paths to pursue justice through both civil and criminal law in these cases. Consulting with a lawyer for nursing home falls and fractures in Los Angeles can help you decide whether this may be a viable option.
What Are the Warning Signs of Elder Abuse or Neglect?
Concerned family members or friends may notice certain danger signs indicating possible elder abuse or neglect. Some of these warning signs include:
- The elder flinches away from touch.
- The elder’s basic needs (sufficient nutrition, water intake, personal hygiene, etc.) are going unmet.
- The elder has mysterious bruises, burn marks, cuts, or even fractures.
Additional signs include subtle cues, such as a nursing home resident becoming uncharacteristically withdrawn or uncommunicative. They may seem afraid to speak up, especially if they fear retaliation or simply do not want to cause trouble for a caregiver. Asking gentle, open-ended questions can help get to the root of the issues. You may want to request that the patient’s physician be alert for danger signs during an examination.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Falls and Fractures Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
How Common Are Falls in People Age 65 and Older?
According to the CDC, millions of people who are sixty-five and older experience falls each year. Just over one in four older adults will fall each year, and those who fall once are twice as likely to fall again. Falls can result in serious injuries in elders (typically, one out of five), including broken bones and fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or even death.
Other sobering statistics related to elderly people falling include:
- Approximately 3 million elders seek emergency room treatment for fall injuries.
- More than 800,000 patients must be hospitalized annually due to falls, usually because of hip fractures or head injuries.
- 300,000 or more older people must be hospitalized for hip fractures on an annual basis.
- At least 95% of hip fractures occur because of falls.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are most commonly caused by falls.
If you or a loved one have suffered from a nursing home fall or fracture, California law offers the opportunity to seek restitution. Understanding how to navigate the legal process can be important in cases of suspected elder abuse or neglect.
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Contact a Lawyer for Nursing Home Falls and Fractures in Los Angeles at Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team, LLP
At Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team, LLP, our Los Angeles nursing home abuse lawyers have been helping elder abuse or neglect victims for decades. Your and your elderly loved one deserve to have someone advocate for your rights. Our attorneys pursue the justice our clients deserve after suffering elder abuse or neglect. If you need a lawyer for nursing home falls and fractures in Los Angeles, we can evaluate the details of your specific case. Contact us online or call (310) 844-9696 for a free consultation to find out more.
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