Nursing home negligence is a serious problem in many Southern California communities. Sometimes, California nursing home abuse or negligence can lead to serious personal injuries or even death. According to a recent article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, California health officials have slapped a $90,000 penalty on the Fallbrook Hospital District Skilled Nursing Facility in connection with the fall and subsequent death of a male resident this year. Officials say in their report that lack of proper care led to the man's death. This citation, known as an AA citation, is the most severe under state law governing long-term heath facilities. This penalty is imposed on nursing homes whose neglect directly results in the death of a patient.

This resident was apparently listed as being at high risk of falling, but the nursing home failed to implement a proper plan to prevent the man's personal injury in California. The resident had a fall and broke his leg on June 8. He died four days afterward of complications from a related surgery.

Tragic Case of Nursing Home Neglect

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this deceased victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Family members entrust their loved ones to the care of nursing homes hoping that they would provide a higher level of care. But very often, the carelessness and the amount of neglect encountered in these nursing facilities sorely disappoint these families. I offer my deepest sympathies to this family who lost a loved one as a result of the Fallbrook nursing home's negligence.

Recent reports and studies all point to understaffing and lack of proper staff training as the most common causes of nursing home negligence and abuse in the United States. Incidents of negligence and abuse are also much higher in for-profit nursing homes, reports show. There's no surprise there because when a service facility's sole purpose is to increase profits, the quality of care suffers.

An Experienced California Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Typically, such for-profit facilities have a higher rate of staff turnover. They tend to hire cheap labor, unqualified nursing aides who will lack the education or training to be able to provide quality care. In cases that involve nursing home negligence or abuse, families will be able to file California wrongful death claims against the facilities.

Victims in such cases would be well-advised to retain the services of a reputed California personal injury lawyer with experience and an excellent track record with handling nursing home abuse and negligence cases. State-issued penalties do make a statement, but they are not sufficient penalty. These negligent businesses should be made to pay and held accountable for their actions.

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.