Placing a loved one in a nursing home should never lead to fear, regret, or harm. Families deserve peace of mindโknowing their relatives will receive compassionate care, not neglect or abuse. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating.
At Arias Sanguinetti, we fight for those who canโt fight for themselves. With well over $1.5 billion obtained for our clients, our legal team stands ready to take on negligent care facilities and abusive staff. A Culver City nursing home abuse lawyer from our firm will help you take immediate action.
If your family is reeling from nursing home abuse, a Culver City personal injury lawyer can help protect your loved one and your future.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse isnโt always obvious. It can involve physical violence, emotional cruelty, sexual assault, financial exploitation, or intentional neglect. Some victims are silenced by fear. Others canโt speak due to cognitive decline. Thatโs why signs of mistreatment must be taken seriously, no matter how small they seem.
Abuse doesnโt stop on its own. The earlier you act, the safer your loved one will be.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse We Handle
We represent victims and families harmed by all types of misconduct inside nursing facilities. Common cases we take on include:
- Physical abuse: Assault, force-feeding, unnecessary restraints, and rough handling
- Sexual abuse: Non-consensual contact, often hidden by shame or confusion
- Emotional abuse: Yelling, mocking, isolation, and threats
- Financial abuse: Stolen money, forged checks, or unauthorized account access
- Neglect: Missed meals, skipped medications, and untreated bedsores
Each case is personal. Each family deserves justice. A nursing home abuse attorney in Culver City from our team will take the time to listen and fight for accountability.
Culver City Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Signs of Abuse You Shouldnโt Ignore
Elder abuse often hides in plain sight. Staff may claim that bruises came from a fall or that sudden behavioral changes are part of aging. You know your loved one bestโif something feels wrong, trust your instincts.
Common red flags include:
- Bedsores or infections
- Dehydration or rapid weight loss
- Fear of being left alone with staff
- Withdrawal from visitors
- Sudden financial troubles
- Dirty clothing or soiled bedding
- Fleeing or running away from the facility
If your loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, itโs time to act. A lawyer can help you uncover the truth and demand answers.
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Why Nursing Home Abuse Happens
Most abuse stems from unchecked power, understaffing, or poor oversight. Care facilities sometimes put profit over people, cutting corners on training, staff-to-patient ratios, and supervision. In these environments, abuse becomes more likely and harder to stop.
Some caregivers lash out under stress. Others take advantage of vulnerable residents. Management may look the other way to avoid a scandal. These arenโt excusesโtheyโre failures.
At Arias Sanguinetti, weโve seen how systemic neglect leads to suffering. We know where to look for patterns of abuse. When you hire a Culver City nursing home abuse lawyer from our team, youโre not just protecting your loved oneโyouโre helping prevent it from happening to someone else.
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How California Law Protects Elderly Residents
California law recognizes the special protections older adults need in long-term care. The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) allows families to pursue justice when nursing homes fail in their duty.
Under this law, abuse includes:
- Physical harm or pain
- Neglect
- Financial exploitation
- Isolation
- Emotional distress
The law also entitles victims to seek financial damages, including pain and suffering, medical costs, andโin certain casesโtreble damages. A Culver City personal injury attorney can explain your rights and help you pursue justice through every available avenue.
Treble Damages in Elder Abuse Cases
Under Californiaโs Welfare and Institutions Code ยง 15657.5, victims of elder financial abuse may be entitled to three times the amount of financial damages if the abuse was proven to be reckless, fraudulent, or malicious. These treble damages are designed to punish wrongdoers and deter similar misconduct in the future.
For example, if a caregiver steals $100,000 from a nursing home resident, the court could award up to $300,000 in damages, plus attorneyโs fees and costs. This enhanced penalty is available in civil cases, even when criminal charges donโt result in a conviction.
Our attorneys can evaluate whether your case qualifies for treble damages and build the strongest possible argument to pursue them.
When Banks May Be Liable for Elder Financial Abuse
In some cases, banks and financial institutions can be held accountable for enabling or ignoring signs of elder financial exploitation. California law places certain obligations on these institutions to detect and report suspicious activity, especially if they see red flags like:
- Large, unexplained withdrawals
- Unfamiliar individuals added to accounts
- Sudden changes to wills, trusts, or beneficiaries
- Checks made out to โcashโ
- Repeated requests for wire transfers
If a bank failed to flag or report these signsโand someone exploited your loved one as a resultโit may be possible to hold the bank partially responsible. Our team understands how to trace financial misconduct and bring all liable parties into the claim.
Proving a Nursing Home Abuse Case in Culver City
To hold a facility or caregiver legally responsible, we must show that they caused or allowed the abuse to happen. That means collecting clear, persuasive evidenceโsomething our attorneys know how to do well.
We often use:
- Medical records
- Photos of injuries
- Expert opinions
- Eyewitness testimony
- Surveillance footage
- Incident reports and facility violations
Every case is different, but our process remains focused and aggressive. An attorney will guide you through every step with honesty and purpose.
Donโt WaitโTime Limits Apply
In most California elder abuse cases, the time limit to file a lawsuit is two years. But for cases involving financial exploitation, victims and their families have up to four years to take legal action.
Waiting too long can result in lost evidence and dismissed claims. If you suspect elder abuseโphysical or financialโitโs important to act fast. A Culver City nursing home abuse attorney at Arias Sanguinetti can help you understand the timeline and build a timely, effective case.
Call a Culver City Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
No family should ever feel powerless after discovering abuse. At Arias Sanguinetti, we stand with victims and the people who love them. With over 300 years of combined experience, our team doesnโt back down from tough casesโor from negligent nursing homes.
If your loved one suffered at the hands of those entrusted to care for them, donโt wait. Talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer in Culver City at our firm today. Weโll take the time to listen, act quickly to protect your loved one, and fight for justice from day one.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form