Moving a family member to a nursing home is never an easy decision. You trust the facility and its staff to treat your loved one with the respect and care they deserve. However, some facilities betray that trust. When a nursing home’s level of care falls below accepted standards, its actions could amount to elder abuse or elder neglect. Nursing home abuse and neglect should be taken seriously. If you’re searching online for what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect, contact Silva Injury Law, Inc.
Attorney Michael Joe Silva has years of experience helping families hold facilities accountable for nursing home abuse and neglect. He also worked as a deputy district attorney in Merced County. He understands what it takes to prove nursing home neglect—both civilly and criminally. If you suspect your family member might not be receiving the care they deserve, it’s imperative to act immediately.
Look For Potential Signs Of Nursing Home Neglect
Have you noticed signs of nursing home abuse or neglect? When you visit your family member in their nursing home facility, always be on high alert for unexplained injuries or significant mood changes. If the nursing home staff doesn’t provide a satisfactory explanation, it’s time to contact a California nursing home neglect lawyer at Silva Injury Law.
What Steps To Take When You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
You must protect your loved one from further harm. If your family member is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. You should also get them out of the nursing home if possible. If the situation is not life-threatening, you can take other steps to build a case against the nursing home.
No matter which course of action you take, hiring a nursing home neglect lawyer is essential. You need a legal advocate who has experience with nursing home neglect and who can help you gather evidence and build a strong case.
Talk with Your Family Member
Start by talking with your family member to find out what is going on. It’s best to speak with them in private whenever possible. Document the conversation and take notes, including potential incident dates. Remember that not all victims want to talk about abuse or neglect they have suffered. Some people are ashamed, scared, or unable to communicate what’s happening to them.
Speak with Facility Administration
Handle the next step carefully. While it’s understandable that you are emotional and upset, use a non-accusatory tone when you approach the nursing home administrators. Share your concerns and discuss potential signs of nursing home neglect you observed. It would be best if you document these conversations. Be sure to note the date and what was discussed during your meetings.
Document Injuries and Statements
You must document all injuries and potential evidence that supports your suspicions of nursing home neglect or abuse. Take photographs of unexplained injuries and unsanitary living conditions. Jot down caretakers’ names and their positions. Is there a credible witness willing to speak about what they saw? If so, be sure to get their contact information.
File a Complaint
Speak with your lawyer about the next steps you should take, but in the meantime, gather evidence you can use to file a nursing home neglect complaint against the facility. In California, you have multiple options for reporting nursing home abuse or neglect. Start by contacting Adult Protective Services (APS). APS has a dedicated elder abuse reporting hotline. When you call, you’ll be asked to enter a zip code. This information allows the automated system to route you to the right APS office.
Another option is to file a report with your local long-term care ombudsman. Your attorney might also have county-specific information to help you report the abuse to other agencies. Fortunately, California has cross-reporting requirements. That means certain agencies, such as APS, have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse to other law enforcement agencies, licensing entities, and public agencies with jurisdiction over the facility.
Contact Silva Injury Law
When you need answers on what to do if you suspect nursing home neglect, speak with attorney Michael Joe Silva. When you’re ready to file a nursing home neglect complaint, we will be there to help guide you through the process.Pursuing a nursing home neglect and abuse case is complicated. You need an experienced lawyer who understands how to protect your loved one from suffering additional harm. With Michael Joe’s experience as a prosecutor, you will benefit from his considerable experience advocating in the courtroom in all stages of litigation. Contact Silva Injury Law, Inc. today to schedule an initial consultation to learn how we can help you.
Find Out How We Can Help
At Silva Injury Law we promote healing through compassionate advocacy. With each case tailored to the individual, we look our for your best interests by evaluating your unique circumstances. Contact us today for a FREE in person or remote consultation.