Assisted living facilities can be the site of elder abuse and other forms of mistreatment. It is also possible that your loved one is the victim of such mistreatment in a San Francisco assisted living facility.
Victims of abuse are not alone, and a San Francisco assisted living abuse lawyer will stand by your loved one by seeking compensation on their behalf. They can work to hold accountable anyone who abused your loved one, failed to stop abuse from happening, or should have taken steps to ensure that your loved one was safe.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not shy away from tough cases. We want to protect your loved one from further harm while seeking deserved compensation for their trauma. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation.
What Assisted Living Facilities in California Must Provide
The California Department of Aging (CDA) explains what assisted living facilities in the state must provide to their residents. Assisted living facilities must help residents with all aspects of daily living, from eating to hygiene and other essential tasks. Beyond their day-to-day needs, an assisted living facility must also:
- Protect residents from staff abuse
- Ensure that residents can report abuse
- Protect residents from being abused by other residents
Every case of elder abuse does not look the same. Staff at the assisted living facility where your loved one resides should be able to recognize and respond appropriately and promptly to possible signs of abuse.
Signs of Abuse that Facility Staff Should Recognize
There are a few different types of elder abuse that assisted living facility staff need to recognize. They are:
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Psychological abuse
These different forms of abuse may have different symptoms.
Signs that Someone Suffered Physical Abuse
There may be some overlap between the signs of physical abuse and sexual abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), an elderly victim of physical abuse may have signs of injury (cuts, bruises, burns, bleeding) and exhibit sudden changes in their behavior.
If your loved one has been sexually abused, they may show signs of physical trauma and have such injuries near or on their genitalia. If your loved one developed an infection that is transmitted through sexual contact, then they could be the victim of sexual abuse.
Possible Signs of Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Your loved one may exhibit changes if they have been abused in a way that impacts them emotionally or psychologically. Someone who has experienced abuse may:
- Lose weight in a way that is unhealthy or unexplainable
- Show signs of anxiety
- Experience sleeplessness or report being unable to sleep
- Withdraw from communication and social interaction
- Engage in uncharacteristic outbursts
If you have noticed any of these signs of possible abuse, then you may take steps to investigate your loved one’s circumstances in an assisted living facility. It is also possible that your loved one has reported to you that they have been mistreated. Whatever your reason to suspect elder abuse, a San Francisco assisted living abuse lawyer can review your situation and advise you on your next steps.
Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to find out how we can help protect your loved one from suffering any further harm.
For a free legal consultation with a Assisted Living Abuse Lawyer serving San Francisco, call (800) 794-0444
An Assisted Living Facility May Have Failed Your Loved One
If the assisted living facility where your loved one lived is the site of abuse, then that facility’s leadership failed your loved one. It is not only the abusers who may be responsible for your loved one’s mistreatment. Various parties in leadership positions at the facility may also be liable.
Assisted living facility owners, board members, and administrators could also be legally responsible for your loved one’s case of abuse. They may have failed to protect your loved one in the following ways:
Hiring Unqualified Staffers
Staff at assisted living facilities must be hired based on a high standard. Elderly residents of assisted living facilities may be at risk for suffering from various health problems, so staffers must know how to respond to potentially life-threatening situations.
Nursing home leadership may have failed your loved one if they hired staffers who were not qualified to hold their positions. Such staff may not know how to spot signs of possible abuse, or they may not be comfortable reporting such abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Failing to Respond to Allegations of Abuse
Leaders at assisted living facilities should make it clear to residents such as your loved one that:
- Abuse will not be tolerated.
- They can report abuse of any kind.
- Any reports of abuse will be taken seriously
If your loved one has reported abuse in the past or tried to report abuse and no action was taken by the facility’s leadership, then this could have put your loved one at risk of suffering further abuse.
A lawyer can work to determine who is responsible for the abuse your loved one suffered. Along with assisted living facility leaders, any staffers or residents who participated in abusing your loved one could be named as defendants in a lawsuit.
A lawyer can complete every requirement of a lawsuit. This includes:
- Collecting witness accounts and evidence
- Calculating your loved one’s losses
- Completing administrative aspects of a lawsuit, such as paperwork and legal appearances
- Defending your loved one’s rights
- Negotiating a settlement
Should settlement negotiations fail, your loved one’s case may require a trial. A lawyer and their team can pursue a trial if necessary.
San Francisco Assisted Living Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation
A San Francisco assisted living abuse lawyer can lead you and your loved one through this difficult time. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation. We do not shy away from tough cases, and we get paid only if you win.
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