Fullerton Hospice Care Abuse Lawyer

Fullerton Hospice Care Abuse Attorney

When a patient uses hospice, there’s a lot of trust put into the person responsible for their end-of-life care. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for some hospice employees to take advantage of their power over their patients, leading to situations of elder abuse or neglect. If you or a loved one has experienced this, a Fullerton hospice care abuse lawyer can hold the offenders accountable.

Our team at Hunter Law can represent you throughout every step of your case to secure a positive outcome for you and your family. Our dedicated Fullerton nursing home abuse attorneys can collect evidence to build a personalized strategy around your case. We can seek the justice you deserve and the compensation you’re owed.

About Hospice Care in Fullerton, CA

Hospice care exists to manage the end-of-life care for a person with a terminal illness so they can pass with dignity and peace. Typically, hospice care is administered in the patient’s home or wherever they feel most comfortable. A person who is expected to live for six months or less may qualify for hospice care.

Fullerton, CA is home to about 17,297 elderly adults aged 65 or older, and that number is projected to continue rising. With more older adults making up the population, it’s crucial to ensure their safety through every phase of their lives, especially at the very end.

In 2022, there were 176,754 elderly adults in California who used hospice. A terminally ill adult in hospice for end-of-life care is also known as a hospice beneficiary. This was the highest number of hospice beneficiaries in the country, with the next highest being Florida with 150,304 hospice beneficiaries and Texas with 145,160 beneficiaries.

With such a high number of Californians relying on hospice care, it’s crucial to have practices in place to protect them while they are in such a vulnerable state. There must also be sufficient resources to combat any form of elder abuse when it occurs.

What to Do If an Elderly Loved One Is Experiencing Hospice Care Abuse

Hospice patients often are not in a position to advocate for themselves when they become victims of abuse. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in older adults across the nation, and it is the third leading cause in Orange County. Moreover, it’s the only primary cause of death in Orange County that has been consistently increasing.

If you suspect that a loved one is being abused by their hospice care worker, your first step is to remove them from any immediate danger. At that point, you can begin documenting evidence of the abuse and building a file. That way, you can be prepared when you decide to contact an attorney and file a case.

When reporting hospice abuse, the most direct way to file a complaint is with Orange County Adult Protective Services. You can expect to hear back from them within 10 days of their receiving your report. At this point, you can expect them to open an investigation.

If that investigation confirms that the abuse occurred, you can work with your Fullerton hospice care abuse lawyer to file a case with the Superior Court of California—County of Orange. You have up to two years from the date of discovering the abuse to file a case in most situations. In cases where financial exploitation of an elder occurred, you can file within four years instead.

FAQs About Fullerton, CA Hospice Care Abuse Law

Talk to a Fullerton Hospice Care Abuse Lawyer About Your Case Today

Dealing with the aftermath of hospice care abuse can be emotionally challenging enough without the added stress of seeking legal action against the offender. By working with a Fullerton hospice care abuse lawyer, you can have the peace of knowing you’re following all the proper procedures. The work of a skilled attorney can greatly improve your chances of a positive outcome for your case.

Hunter Law has been handling elder abuse cases throughout Orange County for over a decade, focusing on complex elder neglect and abuse in long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospice companies, and more. Get in touch with our team to set up an appointment and discuss your case in more detail today.