Sub acute care facilities are short-term healthcare facilities providing medical and rehabilitative services for those who are unable to recover at home. These facilities are often extremely helpful for injury victims or those who have suffered a recent health event, but, as with any care facility, negligence and abuse are possible.
If you or a loved one was hurt at a sub-acute care facility, a West Hollywood nursing home abuse lawyer from Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys can help.
More About Acute and Sub-Acute Care Facilities
There are several levels of medical care, including acute care, sub-acute care, and long-term care.
For intensive care after a severe illness or injury, or after recent surgery, seniors typically go to an acute care facility for rehabilitation. Acute care provides daily assessments and intensive therapy to help seniors recover. Acute care is only provided when the patient can withstand the intensive treatment schedule.
Typically, patients will either transfer home or to a sub-acute care facility after acute care treatment ends. Sub-acute care provides therapy and assessment at a less intensive level than acute care. It is used for those who are unable to undergo acute care or those who have transferred from acute care.
When abuse occurs at these facilities, patients and their loved ones can seek fair compensation. A West Hollywood personal injury lawyer from Omega Law Group can help you do so.
Who Uses Sub-Acute Care Facilities?
Sub-acute care facilities are primarily used by those with critical illnesses or who are recovering from severe injuries or health events. For example, those who:
- Need wound treatment.
- Have a critical or terminal illness such as cancer.
- Have complications after a stroke.
- Have eating disorders.
- Have GI tubes.
What Happens at a Sub-Acute Care Facility?
The treatment and services provided at sub-acute care will depend on the patient’s medical condition and needs. Sub-acute care can include daily speech, physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy. It also typically includes meetings with patients and their families/caregivers to assess long-term care needs.
What Types of Abuse Can Happen at Sub-Acute Care Facilities?
Unfortunately, even when loved ones are put in the care of medical providers, abuse can happen. Patients at care facilities are often at their most vulnerable physically, emotionally, and mentally. The types of abuse that are possible at sub-acute care facilities include:
- Physical abuse, such as hitting or shoving.
- Sexual abuse.
- Emotional abuse, including humiliation or name-calling.
- Financial abuse.
- Neglect, such as leaving wounds untreated or unsanitary living conditions.
When harm happens, a nursing home abuse attorney from Omega Law Group can fight for financial accountability from abusers and other negligent parties.
What Are the Signs of Abuse?
Not all abuse is visible, so it’s important to check with your loved one often about how they are feeling. Some signs of potential abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries.
- New or worsening depression or anxiety.
- Fearfulness.
- Unsanitary conditions, such as dirty bed sheets.
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Abuse at a Sub-Acute Care Facility?
If you suspect abuse, or know that it has taken place, there are a few key actions to take. These are:
- Seek medical attention for the abuse victim as soon as possible.
- Relocate your loved one if safe to do so.
- Take photos of any signs of abuse or neglect.
- Document what you noticed.
- Keep copies of any communications you received from the facility.
- Make a formal complaint to the facility’s manager(s).
- Contact the long-term care ombudsman or the California Department of Public Health to report abuse.
- Contact the police to file a report.
- Contact Omega Law Group.
- Seek counseling for the abuse victim, yourself, and any other affected family members.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Help?
After abuse, you may struggle with how to help your loved one and how to hold negligent or abusive providers accountable. A personal injury attorney can handle the entire legal process, so you can focus on caring for your loved one.
Your lawyer can:
- Investigate the abuse and the facility.
- Gather evidence to strengthen a personal injury claim.
- Handle all communications with the other parties.
- Negotiate on behalf of your family.
- Represent your case in court when necessary.
Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to starting your case. In fact, your attorney only receives a payment if they recover compensation for you.
What Compensation Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help You Pursue?
Your lawyer will fight for financial accountability. You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to the abuse or neglect.
- Relocation costs.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost wages, if a family member has to miss work to help a loved one recover after the abuse.
If your loved one passed away due to the abuse, a West Hollywood wrongful death attorney can pursue compensation for funeral costs and other losses.
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Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
A sub-acute care facility is a place where those with injuries or illnesses go to help their recovery. Unfortunately, patients may be harmed or taken advantage of while in the care of a sub-acute care facility.
When that happens, reach out to the legal team at Omega Law Group. Schedule a free consultation today.
