As California nursing home abuse and negligence attorneys, we are extremely concerned about the escalating rate of neglect and abuse in our nation's nursing homes. According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, California leads the list of states with the most number of distressed nursing homes in the country. This is cause for serious concern especially at a time when seniors are heading to nursing homes in record numbers.

Better Nursing Home Oversight

This is also a time when government oversight of nursing homes has fallen short. A recent news report on KPBS' Web site states that the California Department of Public Health has been ordered to continue issuing quarterly reports on its oversight of nursing homes. A Superior Court judge has also ordered that the government agency must show that it is investigating nursing home complaints in a timely manner.

Nursing home reform advocates are welcoming the court order. Pat McGuiness, who is director of the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, says the new court ruling will force the state to "take its oversight role seriously." I agree with McGuiness that the California Department of Public Health would not be taking their oversight role seriously if they weren't under court order to do so. State officials say they have been meeting investigation deadlines in almost all cases. But for victims and their families, it is often too little too late. Most complaints take too long to go through the system. Nursing home residents suffer serious personal injury or even death as a result of neglect and abuse - actions that may have been rectified had the complaints been addressed in a timely manner.

An Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year, cut funding to the nursing home ombudsman program, a group of trained volunteers who made unannounced visits to nursing homes. With a funding shortage, this program has become virtually ineffective – another big blow to consumers.

So what are nursing home residents and their families left with? The only answer is the civil remedy available through the legal system. Victims of nursing home abuse and negligence (or their families) would be well-advised to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will advise them about the legal rights and options. That said, I'd recommend families do their research before entrusting their loved ones to a nursing home.

One of the most important steps you can take before selecting a caregiver is to thoroughly inspect the home. Advocates also warn consumers against relying on rating systems such as Medicare's nursing home comparison Web site, which does not give a complete picture. If you are looking into a nursing home, it might help to request the facility for the results of their confidential customer and resident satisfaction surveys. Being proactive is probably the best approach when it comes to picking the right nursing home for your loved one.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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