Home health agencies are organizations that provide medical and personal care services to people who are homebound or have difficulty accessing health facilities. Home health agencies can offer a range of services, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, home health aide, and medical equipment and supplies. These health agencies are supposed to help people recover from illness or injury, manage chronic conditions, or cope with aging or disability. Unfortunately, however, not all home health agencies are trustworthy or competent. If you or a loved one has been harmed or abused by a home health agency, please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated California home health agency abuse lawyer from Cowdrey Jenkins, LLP today.
What are some of the most common examples of home health agency abuse?
Just some of the most common examples of home health agency abuse that our firm sees are as follows:
- Billing for services that were not provided or not medically necessary
- Providing substandard or inadequate care that does not meet the patient’s needs or the doctor’s orders
- Failing to assist in personal hygiene, nutrition, medication, or safety
- Failing to protect the patient from health and safety hazards, such as falls, infections, or pressure ulcers
- Failing to prevent or treat malnutrition or dehydration
- Failing to report or treat injuries, infections, or other complications
- Failing to supervise or train the staff properly
- Failing to respect the patient’s rights, privacy, dignity, or preferences
- Isolating the patient from family, friends, or other sources of support
- Abusing the patient physically, verbally, emotionally, sexually, or financially
- Coercing the patient to accept unnecessary or unwanted services or products
- Stealing the patient’s money, property, identity, or benefits
What steps should I take after discovering the abuse?
If you or a loved one is a victim of home health agency abuse, you should take the following steps:
- Keep a record of everything that happened, including dates, times, names, details, witnesses, and evidence. Take photos of any injuries, infections, or damages. Save any receipts, bills, contracts, or correspondence. Write down any conversations you had with the home health agency staff or management.
- Report the abuse. Contact the authorities as soon as possible to report the abuse. You can call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical attention. You can also call the Adult Protective Services in your county to report elder abuse or dependent adult abuse. You can also call the California Department of Public Health to file a complaint against a licensed home health agency.
- Hire a competent attorney who can assess the circumstances of your case, and, from there, advise you on the best course of action and ensure your rights are protected, every step of the way.
Cowdrey Jenkins, LLP is dedicated to fighting for victims of elder abuse, and if you or a loved one has been made a victim, we are here to fight for you. Contact us today.