You have reached the website for the Law Offices of Ben Yeroushalmi, specifically tailored for West Hollywood residents. Welcome to the site. We have created this page and others to help you understand more about what constitutes elder abuse and the legal action that you can take against it. Our attorneys are practiced in all aspects of this area of law and want to ensure that those who are made to suffer nursing home neglect are not left without hope or recourse for action.
Officially incorporated in 1984, the formation of West Hollywood began during the 1920s and prohibition when the Sunset Strip became the main area for speakeasies and gambling for Los Angeles. The city is still known for its nightlife and entertainment, from shopping on Melrose to the iconic music venues and lounges on Sunset and Santa Monica Blvd. Over the years, the "WeHo" population has developed a distinctive political presence, leading the country in social and environmental reforms. The 34,000 local residents, as well as people from all of Los Angeles Country, can take part in the famous Halloween Carnival, drawing half a million visitors, and the annual Pride Festival each June. The small city does not have any Skilled Nursing Facilities within its boundaries, but options are available relatively close in North Hollywood.
The area of litigation that includes elder abuse and nursing home neglect encompasses a great array of injuries and abuses. Some of these may seem obvious, such as physical abuse, extreme dehydration and malnutrition, or wrongful death. But there are many other conditions that also constitute abuse and neglect. If your loved one suffers from an injury that is preventable, then the healthcare facility is liable. One of the major harms in nursing homes that can be avoided with proper care and precautions is the development of pressure ulcers by residents. These sores can be prevented by proper skin care, nutrition, exercise, and other relief measures. Perhaps the most common reason that bedsores are not prevented is because the facility lacks the staff members to carry through all established and prescribed prevention measures and techniques. Understaffing, in and of itself, is an abuse of patients' rights and can greatly contribute to events of neglect and injury.
It is important to be aware of the conditions in your loved one's nursing home. Besides understaffing and pressure sores, signs of neglect to watch out for include frequent falls, excessive use of psychotropic medications and physical restraining devices, improperly treated incontinence issues, and persistent infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile. If you see these signs or any others that make you suspect that your loved one is not getting the proper care that he or she is entitled to, please contact us. Under California Health and Safety Code 1430(b), your are allowed to sue your loved one's nursing home to recover damages for the injuries sustained as well as punitive damages to prevent further negligent action on part of the skilled nursing facility. Tell us about your case in a free consultation and find out what legal action we can take on behalf of you and your loved one.