Redlands Assisted Living Lawyer

Assisted Living Attorney in Redlands, CA

When a loved one is living in an assisted living facility, you deserve to have peace of mind, knowing they’re being cared for based on their unique needs. When the facility fails to provide reasonable care, however, it’s normal to want to seek justice. Work with a Redlands assisted living lawyer to explore what legal options are available for your loved one.

Experienced Attorneys in California

The team at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen has spent years helping California residents seek justice after having their rights violated by another party. Our lawyers approach every new case with aggressive determination. We take elder abuse incredibly seriously and work tirelessly to protect our most vulnerable communities from experiencing more harm.

Our team offers free consultations to residents of Redlands and surrounding California cities. When you come in for your appointment at our Glendora office, you’ll be treated with the compassion you deserve.

Common Assisted Living Cases We Handle

There are over 7,800 residential care facilities for the elderly operating throughout California, with more than 210,000 residents. Around one in six elders over 60 who lived in a community setting in the United States experienced a form of abuse in 2023. Common cases we handle at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen include:

• Isolation or abandonment
• Bed sores—this is one of the most common types of abuse that elders face in a care home. These sores develop when elders aren’t being properly taken care of and repositioned in bed at regular intervals. These sores are incredibly serious and painful for the victims.
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Physical and sexual assault
• Falls—for elders, a fall is much more severe than a fall for someone younger. They can face lifelong pain and disability after a fall, even death.

For every known case of elder abuse in California, there are 24 unknown cases. This form of abuse is commonly underreported, with elders feeling pressured or threatened into silence.

Red Flags of Elder Neglect or Mistreatment

Medicare offers an online service to research facilities in your state. One of the lowest-rated facilities in Redlands is Madison Grove Post Acute, with one out of five stars. It was reported that nurses at this facility spent only 18 minutes per day with each resident, whereas the national average is 41 minutes.

This is likely due to the fact that there’s an average of 232.5 residents per day at the facility. The national average is 84.3. Some red flags that your loved one may be facing neglect or mistreatment include:

• Unexplainable injuries
• A sudden change in behavior in your loved one, such as being more agitated or emotional
• The care facility is refusing to let you visit your loved one
• Your loved one is becoming withdrawn
• Poor personal hygiene

It’s important to hire an assisted living lawyer if you notice any signs of abuse or neglect, even if they’re small. They’ll help you understand what legal options are available to your loved one and file your case at the Superior Court of California, located at 247 West Third Street in San Bernardino.

Evidence to Gather for Your Assisted Living Case

When filing your legal claim, you’ll need to gather extensive evidence to prove to the court what’s happening. They rely on evidence to make their decisions. Your lawyer can help explain what to gather and assist in collecting eyewitness statements of abuse, as well as testimony from professionals.

Be sure to include your loved one’s medical records and charts, as this can help show irregular patterns that may point to abuse. Take photos and videos of any visible injuries on your loved one and any signs of neglect or abuse in their environment.

It can be helpful to include a detailed written timeline of events that show patterns of the suspected abuse or neglect.

FAQs

Can I File a Legal Case Against the Assisted Living Facility?

You can file your legal case against the assisted living facility, as well as anyone else involved in the abuse or neglect. These types of cases often have multiple responsible parties. This can include the facility nurses, other staff, and the facility itself for allowing unsafe activities and failing to uphold safety policies. Your lawyer can help you understand who can be included in your legal claim.

What Is the Deadline to File My Assisted Living Case in Redlands, CA?

In Redlands,CA, the deadline to file your assisted living case depends on the type of situation that occurred. If the abuse wasn’t medical malpractice, you’ll have two years to file your legal claim. If the abuse was a form of medical malpractice, such as a nurse overmedicating your loved one, you’ll have three years to file. While these timelines may seem long, it’s crucial to file as soon as possible to secure a more favorable outcome.

What Type of Compensation Is Available in an Assisted Living Case?

There are two main types of compensation available in an assisted living case. These are also called damages. Economic damages are meant to help victims recover compensation for their financial losses due to the abuse, such as their medical bills and damage to their personal property. Non-economic damages help victims recover compensation for their non-financial losses. This can include money for their pain and suffering, disfigurement, and inconvenience.

What Are Punitive Damages in an Assisted Living Case?

In an assisted living case, punitive damages are a third type of damage that can be pursued. Courts allow survivors to seek these damages when the responsible party acted with extreme malice, fraud, or oppression. In a case of elder abuse, punitive damages are commonly requested. If awarded, the wrongdoer will have to pay more compensation to your loved one. This is meant to further punish them and deter them from any similar behavior in the future.

Hire an Assisted Living Lawyer With Years of Professional Experience

We offer free consultations to those living in Redlands and the surrounding areas in California. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t require any payment for our legal services until we secure compensation for your case. Reach out to Belgum, Fry & Van Allen today to learn how our lawyers can provide legal services for your case.