Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in San Francisco

For most older people, the move into a nursing home is among the most difficult experiences of their lives. This is a vulnerable population that requires support and an understanding of their medical and emotional needs. When abuse occurs, it is unconscionable.

Nursing home abuse can take many forms. If you suspect your loved one may be a victim, it is important to take steps to hold the facility or staff member accountable. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in San Francisco are ready to take action and help you protect your family. 

Our team at J&Y Law has over 80 years of combined experience fighting for victims in California.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how our San Francisco personal injury lawyers can help with your nursing home abuse case. 

How a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help

It can be a helpless feeling when you believe your loved one is suffering abuse in a long-term care facility, but you aren’t sure how to prove it. Abusers often know how to cover their tracks, and the facility itself may take illegal and unethical steps to avoid trouble. 

The fact is, there are laws in place to protect elders in nursing homes, and a nursing home’s license depends on following those laws. When they don’t, they can be fined or even lose their license. Unfortunately, that may motivate some facilities to sweep problems under the rug.

Our nursing home abuse attorneys in San Francisco know what signs to look for and how to uncover evidence to prove the abuse you suspect. We can:

Explain the Law

We will help you understand your loved one’s rights as a nursing home resident and how the law intends to protect them. Together, we can come up with a strategy for taking action against the abusers. 

Investigate Abuse 

Our attorneys can investigate your allegations of abuse and neglect and identify the liable parties as well as the role of the nursing facility itself. We’ll assemble evidence to prove your claim and establish a pattern of abuse linking the culpable parties to their actions. 

File Legal Claims

In addition to any criminal charges law enforcement may bring against the alleged abusers, we can help you file civil charges to hold them financially responsible. This typically takes the form of a personal injury lawsuit, but in worst-case scenarios, we can file a wrongful death suit. 

Negotiate Settlements

In many cases, a nursing home will attempt to settle your case to avoid a lengthy and public trial. We will help you weigh the pros and cons of accepting a settlement and negotiate on your behalf for compensation that accurately represents your loved one’s hardships. 

Represent You in Court

If you decide to forgo negotiations and move toward civil proceedings, we can represent you every step of the way. While a trial is often more stressful than accepting a settlement, sometimes it is the best way to achieve the results you need. 

Protect Residents’ Rights

Our main goal is to protect your loved one, improve their life, and free them from the abuse they are suffering. In doing so, we can help shine a light on bad practices and toxic cultures in nursing facilities, hopefully improving conditions and avoiding future cases of abuse.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Unfortunately, there are many types of nursing home abuse. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to know the most common types of abuse and what to watch for. Then, contact a San Francisco nursing home abuse lawyer for help. 

Common types of abuse and how to recognize them include:

Physical Abuse

The intentional use of force to cause pain, injury, or impairment, such as through hitting, pushing, or using unnecessary restraints, is physical abuse. Signs include unexplained bruises and marks on the body, broken bones, or frequent injuries that the facility struggles to adequately explain. 

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Abuse can also take the form of verbal or nonverbal behavior that intends to cause emotional pain. Examples include mocking, humiliating, or threatening a resident. Watch for signs such as mood changes and sudden withdrawal from social activities, or avoiding certain staff members. 

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual contact or interaction, such as sexual assault or inappropriate touching, constitutes sexual abuse. Signs can include bruising around breasts or genitals, torn or bloody undergarments, and unexplained STDs or infections.

Neglect

When a facility or individual fails to provide assistance or care, it can result in harm or risk to an older adult. This can include ignoring hygiene needs or failing to assist with activities of daily living. Bed sores, poor hygiene, and untreated medical issues can be signs. 

Financial Abuse

Stealing money, forging signatures, manipulating a resident’s identity, or any other illegal or unauthorized use of a resident’s funds or assets is financial abuse. Watch for sudden changes in bank accounts or legal documents.

Who to Contact if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you believe your loved one is suffering from abuse in a nursing home, don’t stay silent. It is important to tell someone, especially those in a position to do something about it. 

• Call 911 or the police if there is immediate danger.
• Consult a nursing home abuse lawyer for advice.
• Report elder abuse or neglect to the appropriate California state ombudsman.

Get Help From a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in San Francisco

Elder abuse is a despicable crime, potentially punishable by years in prison. It is hard to imagine how it could happen in a nursing home, the place you expect to put the needs and welfare of your loved one above all else. When it does, you deserve justice.

That means more than criminal charges. A civil lawsuit will not only force the nursing home to pay a financial penalty for its misconduct, but also publicly expose its misdeeds. Our nursing home abuse attorneys in San Francisco can help.

At J&Y Law, we’ve been fighting for vulnerable people who need our help since 2009. When your loved one needs an advocate, we’ll be there. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us what’s happening.