San Francisco Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers

Fighting for Victims of Nursing Home Negligence in California

When you entrust your beloved family member to the care of a nursing home facility or assisted living community, you never expect to see them suffer because of neglect or outright abuse.

Unfortunately, at least 10% of all seniors experience some form of elder abuse or neglect, according to data gathered by the National Center on Elder Abuse. In many cases, these incidents take place within the walls of nursing homes, where seniors are often isolated and dependent on staff for their day-to-day needs.

At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, our San Francisco nursing home abuse attorneys can help those who have been injured or lost a loved one to elder abuse or neglect. With over three decades of experience advocating for injured victims in the Bay Area and beyond, our dedicated legal team can help you hold nursing home staff accountable for their actions and protect future families from enduring the same losses.

COVID-19 Update for Nursing Homes

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended additional requirements:

• Implement source control for everyone entering the facility;
• Require face coverings;
• Aggressively limit visitor interactions with patients; and
• Implement sick leave policies for staff who may have been exposed to the virus.

Call us at (415) 940-7176 to schedule a FREE consultation with our San Francisco elder abuse attorneys.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Although “nursing home abuse” typically brings to mind physical injuries, there are many different ways that nursing home facilities can fail to account for residents' needs. Once an elderly resident is admitted to the facility, the nursing home has an obligation to meet the medical “standard of care” required by law. That means keeping residents well-fed, sanitary, and in good health, as well as protecting them from abuse.

Common types of nursing home abuse may include:

• Verbal threats
• Dehydration and malnutrition
• Physical abuse, such as punching or slapping
• Sexual abuse and rape
• Unsanitary and unclean conditions
• Withholding medical care
• Errors in administering medications
• Bed sores caused by lack of movement

Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Happen?

Experts often attribute nursing home abuse and neglect to a few key causes. While many nursing home staff members and medical care providers are deeply invested in protecting their elderly residents, the sad truth is that far too many nursing home facilities across the country are severely understaffed.

In 2018, Medicare lowered ratings for 11% of all nursing homes in the nation after discovering that they had either failed to provide accurate payroll data or had inadequate levels of registered nursing staff in the facility. With nationwide staffing shortages, many nursing homes are failing to hire and train the right personnel.

Some other key causes for nursing home abuse and neglect:

• Nursing home staff burnout due to long hours
• Lack of supervision
• Overcrowding rooms and beds for profit
• Fraud and financial exploitation
• Staffing gaps

What to Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse

It’s not always easy to see the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, as it can be subtle, and elderly victims may not be willing or able to speak up. However, if you notice that your loved one’s condition has deteriorated, or that they seem to be afraid of certain staff members or residents, you may need to investigate the situation further to determine if they have suffered injuries or psychological harm from abuse or neglect.

If you believe that your loved one has suffered serious injuries due to negligence, you may be able to sue both the nursing home facility and any care providers responsible for their losses. In the event of a death, you may also be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek justice in your loved one’s memory.

At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, our nursing home abuse lawyers in San Francisco have been advocating for victims since 1980. Let us help you understand all of your legal options.

Work with Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Who Care

At Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn, our San Francisco elder abuse lawyers represent clients who have been injured by nursing home abuse and neglect. We pursue these cases for two reasons: to get compensation for our clients and to shine a light on operators whose homes take advantage of the elderly and disabled. Every moment counts when your loved ones are facing abuse, so please do not hesitate to reach us.

Rouda Feder Tietjen & McGuinn: Recent Success

In this case, an elderly man with Parkinson's ended up engulfed in flames as a result of neglect.

Case: Rossie B. v. Roe Nursing Home 
Resolution: $2.9 million settlement

Call (415) 940-7176 to schedule your free case review.