Fullerton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Fullerton Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

In a perfect world, you can trust a licensed nursing home to look after your elderly loved one, and they get to live a happy life with the daily assistance they require. Unfortunately, situations of elder abuse are not uncommon in California’s long-term care facilities. If you suspect a loved one is suffering from some form of elder abuse, it’s critical to report it and get in touch with a Fullerton nursing home abuse lawyer.

At Hunter Law, we understand how to navigate California’s laws. We can build a case to obtain a settlement amount that fully compensates for the victim’s losses.

How Is Elder Abuse Defined in California?

Elder abuse encompasses any intentional action or inaction that creates a risk of harm to an elderly person aged 60 or older. Elder abuse can take on many forms, including:

• Abandonment
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Neglect
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse

More than 200,000 abuse cases against elderly and dependent adults are reported in California every year. These types of cases are believed to be underreported, which means there are likely even more incidents occurring without the public’s knowledge. In fact, it’s estimated that, for every case of elder abuse reported, five cases go unreported.

Elderly adults are often an easy target for abusers. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to identify signs of elder abuse. You should also know your rights when pursuing legal action against the perpetrator.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Fullerton

Elderly adults are already in vulnerable positions when they come into the care of a nursing home. Approximately 12 percent of older adults in Orange County have an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, which is higher than both the state and national averages. Therefore, it can be difficult for nursing home residents to advocate for themselves.

As a loved one in their life, it’s up to you to recognize the signs and act accordingly. Anyone can report suspected elder abuse, and some people are actually required to do so. These are known as mandated reporters, and they include long-term care facilities, hospitals, financial institutions, and anyone who cares for a California elderly or dependent adult.

The warning signs for elder abuse can vary from situation to situation, depending on the form of abuse being inflicted upon the victim. Some general signs of abuse to look out for include:

• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Pressure ulcers (bedsores)
• Signs of being withdrawn
• Strained or tense relationships
• Sudden changes in financial situations
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Untended medical needs

In Orange County alone, there are more than 75 long-term care facilities that admit over 35,000 patients every year.

What Can I Do If My Elderly Loved One Is Suffering From Nursing Home Abuse?

If you suspect that someone in your life is being abused by their nursing home, it’s important to make sure they are not in any immediate danger. You should also remove them from the situation as soon as possible.

You can report the incident to state agencies like Orange County Adult Protective Services. You can also contact the Orange County Police Department and the OC Sheriff’s Department.

While anyone can report suspected elder abuse in Fullerton, CA, you can only be eligible to file an official claim with the court if you are the victim yourself, their spouse, their heirs, or a family member with a power of attorney.

For most cases of abuse, you must file within two years of discovering the abuse. In cases of financial elder abuse, you have up to four years to file your claim.

FAQs About Fullerton, CA Nursing Home Abuse Law

Reach Out to a Fullerton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Learn More

Discovering that an elderly loved one in your life has been abused and taken advantage of by the people you entrusted them with can be devastating. Once you get them out of immediate danger, you can reach out to our team at Hunter Law to start building a case. Our firm can seek the compensation your family is owed. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a Fullerton nursing home lawyer today.