Nursing Home & Elder Abuse

• Abuse of Antipsychotic Drugs Found in U.S. Nursing Homes

  Randy Walton | December 04, 2007 7:35 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Studies show that Medicaid spends more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than any other prescription drug. Why? Because nursing homes across the country are giving these powerful drugs to elderly residents for the purposes of "quieting" them.The Wall Street Journal is reporting that nearly 30% of the total nursing home population is receiving antipsychotic drugs in a practice that is...

• Elderly Woman Killed After Wandering From Escondido Nursing Home

  Randy Walton | November 27, 2007 3:36 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Cases involving nursing home wanderers are not uncommon in the nursing home abuse and neglect arena. I have had them, and I know my colleagues have as well. When an elderly resident of a nursing home wanders away, usually because there is some memory impairment, it rarely ends well.That was the case in Escondido on Thanksgiving Day when 94-year-old Maria Cobian, a resident of Palomar Heights...

• Battle Against Bedsores Requires Teamwork

  Walton Barber, LLP | February 19, 2008 11:42 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  New research shows that preventing and treating pressure ulcers in the nursing home setting requires a team approach, involving nurses, laundry workers, cafeteria and maintenance workers, and even the cosmeticians.Large bedsores are a sight to behold. The larger ones - Stage III and IV - can result in a wound so deep that you can see the bone. Wounds like this can be very painful and can lead...

• Nursing Home Citations Up 22% Nationwide

  Randy Walton | December 20, 2007 11:44 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Recent studies show that citations for serious violations issued against nursing homes is up 22% nationwide.A USA Today analysis, examining records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, shows that from 2000 through 2006, the number of citations for putting patients in "immediate jeopardy" had increased 22%. Those citations are considered the most serious and often follow cases in which...

• Elder Abuse: Nursing Home Standards to be Enforced

  Randy Walton | October 15, 2007 9:25 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  A new California law took effect on July 1, 2007 requiring the Department of Public Health to determine whether nursing homes are complying with California standards that are stronger than federal law. The new law, SB 1312, was introduced after it was learned that the department was ignoring California nursing home reform laws during inspection and elder abuse complaint investigations.For more...

• Abuse of Antipsychotic Drugs Found in U.S. Nursing Homes(2)

  Randy Walton | December 04, 2007 7:35 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Studies show that Medicaid spends more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than any other prescription drug. Why? Because nursing homes across the country are giving these powerful drugs to elderly residents for the purposes of "quieting" them.The Wall Street Journal is reporting that nearly 30% of the total nursing home population is receiving antipsychotic drugs in a practice that is...

• Jury Awards $3 Million for Nursing Home Negligence

  Randy Walton | November 05, 2007 11:58 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  The owner of two nursing homes was ordered by a jury to pay more than $3 million to the estate of a former resident who developed bedsores on his body while a patient at the two nursing facilities. The resident died in 2004.According to reports, the nursing home the verdict stems from a lawsuit alleging that the nursing staff at Barry Manor and White Oak Manor nursing homes were negligent, and...

• After Fires Residents Return to Nursing Homes

  Randy Walton | October 26, 2007 7:34 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  According to most reports, the evacuation of area nursing home residents occurred in an orderly and safe manner, and in accordance with local disaster planning.Fourteen San Diego nursing homes were evacuated totaling approximately 1,200 patients. In addition, 85 assisted living facilities and two hospitals were also evacuated. While the early news is good, and most of the nursing residents...

• More Profits, Less Nursing Care in U.S. Nursing Homes

  Randy Walton | September 24, 2007 3:35 AM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  For years now, we have heard the story from nursing home owners that they are barely getting by, and the lawsuits against them for negligent care are going to drive them out of business, leaving no place to put seniors. We always reject this argument as a time-honored trick by tortfeasors to try to portray themselves as victims after causing harm to others. A New York Times article this weekend...

• Upset about Nursing Home Care? Complain!

  Randy Walton | September 14, 2007 10:25 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  As a lawyer who sues nursing homes and residential care facilities for the abuse or neglect of their residents, I frequently get calls from people who feel that they or their loved one have been a victim abuse or neglect. When I hear genuine stories abuse or neglect, or of highly questionable conduct on the part of nursing home staff, I always ask whether or not anyone complained about it to...