Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse

Elder abuse is a real problem.  Because the nursing home industry has become a multi-billion dollar business comprised of major corporations, in some facilities profitability has become more important than administering proper care. Reports state that 30% of nursing home facilities are cited for instances of abuse. For this reason, both federal and state governments have introduced legislation to protect residents of nursing homes.

Nursing home negligence or abuse can have tragic results such as nursing home deaths, falls resulting in broken bones, malnutrition, dehydration, decubitus ulcers and residents wandering off the nursing home premises and stepping into harms way.

If a nursing home has failed to administer reasonable care in a professional and compassionate manner, and if someone you love has suffered from inadequate care, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important to thoroughly understand the warning signs of potential nursing home negligence.

If you or a family member has suffered due to nursing home neglect, the Davis Law Group can help you. Having experience with this type of claim, we have the skill and experience necessary to represent you.

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Contact us now for a FREE conversation about your elder neglect case. There is no obligation to hire a lawyer.  We are usually retained on a contingency fee basis. There is no fee until our personal injury attorneys successfully recover fair compensation for you or your loved one.

Nursing Home Abuse Warning Signs

If you see any of the following signs of elderly abuse in nursing homes, they should be immediately investigated:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures in various stages of healing.
• Bedsores or frozen joints.
• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; vaginal or anal bleeding; torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
• Sudden changes in behavior.
• Staff refusing to allow visitors to see resident or delays in allowing visitors to see resident.
• Staff not allowing resident to be alone with visitor.
• Resident being kept in an over-medicated state.
• Loss of resident's possessions.
• Sudden large withdrawals from bank accounts or changes in banking practices.
• Abrupt changes in will or other financial documents.

In addition to these 10 warning signs, elderly abuse in nursing homes can occur on all different levels.

• Mental Elderly Abuse
• Fear, agitation, hesitance 
• Depression, withdrawal 
• Sudden behavior changes 
• Unusual behavior patterns 
• Unwillingness to communicate 
• Disorientation, confusion 
• Unjustified isolation 
• Rude, humiliating, derogatory comments by staff 
• Specific complaints by residents 
• Physical Elderly Abuse 
• Wounds, cuts, abrasions, burns 
• Bruises, welts, swelling 
• Broken bones, sudden inexplicable weight loss 
• Unexplained/hidden injuries 
• Unwarranted restraints (either physical or chemical)
  

Specific complaints by residents 

• Bed sores (decubitus ulcers) 
• Unsanitary environment 
• Malnutrition, dehydration 
• Smells of urine and/or feces 
• Unkempt appearance 
• Poor personal hygiene 
• Untreated medical condition 
• Specific complaints by residents exploitation/Financial Abuse 
• Sudden, unjustified selling of property 
• Missing/stolen money or property 
• Radical changes in handling personal/financial affairs
• Specific complaints by residents

Nursing Home Facilities in Washington State

ALDERCREST HEALTH & REHAB CENTER
ALDERWOOD MANOR
ALDERWOOD PARK CONV CTR LLC
ANDERSON HOUSE
ARDEN REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
AVALON CARE CENTER - FEDERAL WAY
AVALON CARE CENTER - OTHELLO LLC
AVALON CARE CENTER - PULLMAN
AVALON CARE CENTER AT NORTHPOINTE
AVALON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER - PASCO
BAILEY-BOUSHAY HOUSE
BALLARD CARE AND REHABILITATION
BAYVIEW MANOR
BEL AIR REHAB & SPECIALTY CARE
BELLINGHAM HEALTH CARE & REHABILITATION SERVICES
BELMONT TERRACE INC.
BETHANY AT PACIFIC
BETHANY AT SILVER LAKE
BOOKER REST HOME ANNEX
BREMERTON HEALTH & REHAB CTR
BUENA VISTA
BURTON CARE CENTER
CANTERBURY HOUSE
CANYON LAKES RESTORATIVE AND R
CAREAGE OF WHIDBEY
CAROLINE KLINE GALLAND HOME
CASCADE PARK CARE CENTER
CASCADE VISTA CONVALESCENT CEN
CASHMERE CONVALESCENT CENTER
CENTRAL WA HOSP TRANSITIONAL C
CHENEY CARE CENTER
CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE CENTER
CLARKSTON CARE CENTER
COLONIAL VISTA CARE CENTERS
COLUMBIA BASIN HOSPITAL
COLUMBIA LUTHERAN HOME
COLUMBIA VIEW CARE CENTER
COLVILLE TRIBAL CONVALESCENT C
CORWIN CENTER AT EMERALD HEIGHTS
COTTESMORE OF LIFE CARE
COULEE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
COVENANT SHORES HEALTH CENTER
CRESCENT HEALTH CARE, INC
CRESTWOOD CONVALESCENT CENTER
CRISTA SENIOR COMMUNITY
DELTA REHABILITATION CENTER
DISCOVERY NURSING & REHAB OF VANCOUVER
EDMONDS REHAB & HEALTHCARE CTR
EMERALD CARE
EMERALD HILLS HEALTHCARE CENTER
EVERETT REHABILITATION & CARE
EVERETT TRANSITIONAL CARE SERV
EVERGREEN AMERICANA HEALTH & REHAB CTR
EVERGREEN BREMERTON HEALTH & R
EVERGREEN ENUMCLAW HEALTH & REHAB
EVERGREEN NORTH CASCADES HEALTH & REHABILITATION C
EVERGREEN NURSING & REHAB CENTER
EVERGREEN PARK ROYAL HEALTH & REHAB CENTER
EVERGREEN SHELTON HEALTH & REHAB CENTER
EVERGREEN TACOMA HEALTH & REHABILITATION
EXETER HOUSE
FAIRFIELD GOOD SAMARITAN CTR
FIDALGO CARE CENTER
FIR LANE HEALTH AND REHAB CTR
FIRCREST SCHOOL, PAT N
FOREST RIDGE HEALTH & REHAB
FOREST VIEW TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CENTER
FORKS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, LTCU
FORT VANCOUVER CONVALESCENT C
FOSS HOME & VILLAGE
FRANKLIN HILLS HEALTH & REHAB CENTER
FRONTIER REHAB & EXTENDED CARE
GARDEN TERRACE ALZHEIMER'S CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
GARDEN VILLAGE
GARDENS ON UNIVERSITY, THE
GARFIELD COUNTY HOSPITAL, LTCU
GEORGIAN HOUSE
GOOD SAMARITAN HEALTH CARE CTR
GRANDVIEW HEALTH CARE CENTER
GRAYS HARBOR HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
HALLMARK MANOR
HARMONY HOUSE HEALTH CARE CTR
HEALTH AND REHABILITATION OF NORTH SEATTLE
HEARTHSTONE, THE
HEARTWOOD EXTENDED HEALTHCARE
HERITAGE GROVE
HERITAGE REHAB & SPECIALTY CAR
HIGHLAND CARE CENTER LLC
HIGHLAND TERRACE NURSING CTR
HIGHLANDS DEMENTIA CARE CTR
HIGHLINE CARE CENTERS, L L C
HIGHLINE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
HILLCREST MANOR
HOQUIAM HEALTHCARE, INC DBA PACIFIC CARE CENTER
IDA CULVER HOUSE BROADVIEW NCC
ISLAND HEALTH & REHAB CENTER
ISLANDS CONVALESCENT CENTER
ISSAQUAH NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
JOSEPHINE SUNSET HOME
JUDSON PARK HEALTH CENTER

Library for Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse:

• Seattle's Long Term Care Costs in Washington Increased as Much as 15 Percent Over Past Five Years, According to Annual Genworth Financial Study   
  Description: The cost of nursing home care in Washington, excluding Seattle, has increased 15 percent since 2004, according to an annual Cost of Care Survey released today by Genworth Financial. In Seattle, the cost has increased 13 percent over the past five years. This compares to a 17 percent increase nationwide.
• ARTICLE: Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect   
  Description: Did you know that about 30% of nursing homes in the U.S. have been cited for abuse, yet they continue to operate? The real numbers on abuse are unknown, because most goes unreported. Nursing home neglect is a form of abuse, which often goes unnoticed, but can turn deadly.
• June 15th - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day   
  Description: Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect.
• ARTICLE: Nursing Home Abuse Increasing   
  Description: Elderly Abused In Nearly One-Third Of Nursing Homes: Some 5,283 nursing homes were cited for abuse violations, according to a review of state inspection records requested by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. These homes were cited for nearly 9,000 abuse violations from January 1999 to January 2001.
• LAW: Nursing Home Reform Act (1987)   
  Description: During the 1980s, reports of nursing home abuse and neglect surfaced in alarming numbers. In an effort to reform nursing home practices and procedures and to set standards for the care rendered to residents Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act in 1987. These laws were incorporated into the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 1987).
• NEWS: Senators Obama, Harkin, Kennedy, Durbin Call on HHS Secretary to Protect America’s Seniors: Identify Failing Nursing Homes; 128 Nursing Homes are Currently Under Review for Poor Performance   
  Description: U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent the following letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt, calling on him to immediately release a list of 128 nursing homes that are being scrutinized for providing poor care.
• REPORT: Nursing Home Care Quality: Twenty Years After the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987   
  Description: To mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of landmark federal legislation to improve the quality of nursing home care, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (known as OBRA '87), this report explains the key provisions of OBRA ’87 related to nursing home care and examines the progress and problems in quality assurance in nursing homes over the past twenty years.
• ARTICLE: Elder abuse, exploitation targeted by state   
  Description: The state's new secretary of elder affairs told senior citizens today that he is on a mission to expand efforts statewide to combat elder abuse and exploitation.
• NEWS: Nursing Home Abuse Law Could Stiffen Penalties, Change Rules Regarding Private Equity Firms   
  Description: Nursing home abuse is finally getting some attention from Congress, where two separate hearings were held yesterday to discuss the problem. Committees from both the House of Representatives and the Senate took up the nursing home abuse issue, and now Congress will consider legislation to deal with this serious problem.
• NEWS: Washington State fines Seattle nursing home   
  Description: The state has fined a Seattle nursing home for allegedly failing to protect patients from abuse and neglect.
• NEWS: New scrutiny being focused on adult-family-home deaths   
  Description: The King County medical examiner and prosecuting attorney are collaborating on the sensitive new initiative, which has the support of the state's long-term-care ombudsman. But it has also sparked concerns and questions among some care providers, families, doctors and regulators.
• NEWS: Proper eyes on Seattle-area adult-family homes   
  Description: Adult-family homes in Seattle have little to fear from a collaboration between the King County medical examiner and law enforcement. In the best of circumstances, the extra pairs of trained eyes will confirm a facility is following proper health-care procedures. In a worst-case scenario, the proper spotlight is shined on a facility in need of attention. Either way, vulnerable residents are served.

Case Results for Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse:

• $250,000 to Dropped Alzheimers Resident - $250,000 Settlement
• $150,000 Settlement for Fall In Hospital - $150,000 Settlement

Web Resources for Nursing Home Negligence & Elder Care Abuse:

• Administration on Aging

  Description: AoA is the Federal focal point and advocate agency for older persons and their concerns.

• Adult Victims of Crime and Abuse in Residential Care Facilities

  Description: The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), the National Association of Adult Protective Services (NAAPSA) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) have initiated a unique action partnership bringing together experts and other individuals across the country to collaborate in order to better address the needs of adults victims of crime and abuse who live in residential care facilities.

• Aging Parents and Elder Care

  Description: Advice, comprehensive checklists, and links to key resources ... designed to make it easier for caregivers to quickly find the information they need ... and avoid missing things that are important in the care for their loved one.

• American Association of Retired Persons

  Description: The American Association of Retired Persons is a private, nonprofit membership organization, incorporated in the District of Columbia.

• Assisted Living Seatlle

  Description: This site is dedicated to helping people learn and understand Assisted Living.

• Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE)

  Description: CANE is the Nation's largest computerized collection of elder abuse resources and materials. The Web site provides annotated bibliographies on specific topics of interest, or users can perform a keyword search to produce a customized annotated bibliography.

• Consumer Reports National Guide to Nursing Homes

  Description: The Consumer Reports Nursing Home Quality Monitor identifies nursing homes that are likely to provide better-quality care and those likely to provide poorer-quality care.

• Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions(American Psychological Association)

  Description: Every person-no matter how young or how old-deserves to be safe from harm by those who live with them, care for them, or come in day-to-day contact with them.

• Elder Care Advocates

  Description: Elder Care Advocates provides professional care planning and care supervision for seniors no matter what their health status or living environment.

• Elder Care Referral Services

  Description: Elder Care Referral Services - experienced in helping seniors find housing that fits a wide variety of assisted living facilities, alzheimer's care residences, small residential care homes, and independent retirement communities for seniors.

• Elder Mistreatment(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)

  Description: Elder mistreatment means that someone either does something or fails to do something that harms an elderly person or threatens the health and welfare of an elderly person.

• Elder Mistreatment(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)

  Description: Elder mistreatment means that someone either does something or fails to do something that harms an elderly person or threatens the health and welfare of an elderly person.

• Eldercare Locator

  Description: This nationwide toll-free service (1-800-677-1116) helps older adults and their caregivers find local services for seniors, including home care, transportation, housing alternatives, home repair, recreation, social activities, and legal and other community services.

• Empire Homecare Resources

  Description: Empire Home Care is a health care support service for aging parents, seniors, family members, nurses, caregivers, family members, and those concerned about future disability, sickness, or injury. Our goal is to offer assistance through research, training, and education to improve the quality of life and function of adults, and to promote independence and dignity.

• End Abuse

  Description: The Family Violence Prevention Fund - The Family Violence Prevention Fund works to prevent violence within the home, and in the community, to help those whose lives are devastated by violence because everyone has the right to live free of violence.

• Family Care Support

  Description: The purpose of this site is to provide support and information for the family caregiver or anyone that needs health related information.

• Fifteen Questions and Answers about Elder Abuse(National Center on Elder Abuse)
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Task Force

  Description: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Task Force on Elderly Battered Women provides information on resources and programs for elderly victims of domestic violence.

• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
• National Institute on Aging

  Description: NIA’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of older Americans through research.

• Nursing Home Abuse

  Description: Helping you protect your loved ones from nursing home and long-term care facility abuse & neglect.

• Nursing Home Abuse News
• Nursing Homes Compare

  Description: Compare nursing homes.

• SNAP for Seniors

  Description: Simplify your search for senior housing.

• Vital Link

  Description: Vital Link's mission is to provide the senior and disabled communities with medical alarm services that enhance their safety, independence, and peace of mind.

• Washington AARP

Davis Law Group
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Suite 630
Seattle, WA 98121

Toll Free: (800) 883-0265
Phone: (206) 727-4000