Santa Monica Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Handling Medical Malpractice Cases Involving Nursing Homes

When you choose a nursing home for your elderly loved one, you do so with the trust that they will receive proper support for all activities of daily living, as well as  proper medical care when they need it. Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes betrayed. Elder neglect and/or medical malpractice in a nursing home  are a serious problem, and when neglect or medical malpractice  leads to injury or death, families have the right to take legal action.

At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we help families in Santa Monica hold those responsible for the custody and care of our elderly loved ones accountable for failing to provide the care and safety they deserve. If your loved one suffered harm due to medical malpractice or neglect in a nursing home, we’re here to investigate the situation and fight for justice on your behalf.

Talk to our Santa Monica medical malpractice lawyers today by dialing (310) 692-9582.

What Is Medical Malpractice in a Nursing Home Setting?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care, causing harm to a patient. In nursing homes, medical mistakes can involve physicians, nurses, caregivers, and even administrators whose actions or inaction lead to preventable injury or death.

While nursing homes are often viewed as providing medical care, they are also responsible for ensuring that residents receive appropriate custodial care. Expected or standard medical care provided by a nursing home usually includes monitoring chronic conditions, following physician orders, administering medications and treatments properly, actively monitoring for any and all changes in condition, responding to medical emergencies, keeping families informed of anything affecting the health safety & welfare of their loved one, and coordinating care with outside providers. When a facility falls short in these responsibilities, the consequences can be catastrophic for vulnerable seniors.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice in Elder Care Facilities

Some of the most common scenarios we encounter in these cases are:

• Failure to complete a proper initial nursing assessment: Nursing homes must conduct a comprehensive full body nursing assessment for each new resident. Failing to identify the specific needs of each resident, and implement the appropriate care plan to minimize the risk of harm, places vulnerable elders in harms way. 
• Medication errors: Dosing mistakes, skipped medications, and the use of contraindicated drugs can lead to confusion, organ failure, or overdose.
• Failure to recognize, diagnose or treat changes in condition: Failure to recognize and address a change in condition  can result in a rapid decline in health.
• Overmedication or chemical restraint: Facilities may use sedatives or antipsychotics not for medical reasons, but to control residents' behavior, putting their health & safety at risk.
• Delayed emergency response: When facilities fail to call 911 or transfer a resident in crisis, that delay can mean the difference between life and death.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Medical Errors?

Medical malpractice cases in nursing home settings often involve more than just one negligent act or ommision. At McGee Lerer Ogrin, we can perform a comprehensive investigation to identify every care failure and responsible party, and pursue accountability wherever it lies.

Liability in an elder care medical malpractice case may extend to:

• Nursing home administrators or managers
• On-site physicians, nurses, and medical staff
• In-home care providers contracted by the nursing home
• Outside providers who failed in their duties while coordinating care
• Parent corporations or investment firms that cut corners to maximize profits

What Compensation May Be Available?

Medical malpractice and neglect can place an enormous financial and emotional burden on families. We understand that no amount of money can undo the harm, but it can provide the resources needed for better care and a safer future. That’s why we insist on fighting for the largest amount of compensation possible for every client.

If your loved one was harmed due to negligent care in a nursing home, you may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills related to the injury or delayed treatment
• Pain and suffering endured by your loved one
• Costs of relocating to a safer facility
• Emotional distress and loss of companionship
• Wrongful death damages (if the case involves a fatal injury)
• Punitive damages, where appropriate

Why Our Santa Monica Medical Malpractice Lawyers?

Our firm is known throughout Southern California for standing up to powerful institutions on behalf of our clients. We understand the unique challenges that families face when medical negligence happens inside a long-term care facility, and we know how to prepare strong, evidence-based cases against those responsible.

Families in Santa Monica choose us because we offer:

• Extensive experience with both elder abuse, neglect, and medical malpractice cases
• Aggressive legal strategies that we can back with expert medical testimony if needed 
• Compassionate communication and client-centered support
• No legal fees unless we win your case
• Local knowledge of Santa Monica-area facilities and courts

Call Our Firm to Get Your Case Started

If your loved one has been harmed by medical neglect in a nursing home, now is the time to act. California law limits how long you have to file a claim, and delays can lead to lost evidence and other complications. Come to McGee Lerer Ogrin, where our Santa Monica medical malpractice lawyers are ready to stand with you and fight for the dignity and safety of your elderly loved one.

Contact us today by dialing (310) 692-9582 and asking for a free, confidential case evaluation.