Orange County Home Health Abuse Lawyer

Orange County Home Health Abuse Attorney

Deciding to sign your loved one up for home health can be vital for their health and ability to live. You may never consider that this move could lead to any type of mistreatment or abuse from either your home health aide or agency. However, abuse can happen, and an Orange County home health abuse lawyer can help you find justice.

Why Choose Hunter Law, PC?

Our firm, Hunter Law, PC, is dedicated to holding abusive or negligent home health agencies and aides accountable. We strive to help families receive the compensation they need for proper medical care and recovery.

Our lead attorney, Stephen R. Hunter, has extensive experience in the field of elder abuse claims. Mr. Hunter holds a Juris Doctorate from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is proud to be a member of the Orange County Bar Association, the California Lawyers Association, and the American Bar Association. With intimate knowledge of the law and a high level of professionalism, he is an aggressive advocate who can pursue justice for your loved one.

What Are Home Health Agencies?

Home health agencies hire in-home aides to care for people who are homebound and have difficulty accessing healthcare facilities. These agencies offer many different services, such as nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work, occupational therapy, and more.

Home health aides help with both medical and personal care services. They are hired by agencies as professional caregivers who help elderly or disabled people in their homes. Home health aides offer these services:

• Help with personal hygiene, such as showering, toileting, and grooming
• Mobility aid and help with transfers to and from the bed, chair, or bathroom
• Meal preparation and feeding assistance
• Light housekeeping
• Medication reminders and monitoring
• Transportation to appointments and assistance with shopping
• Companionship during daily activities

Home health aides sometimes have certifications, but their main task is to offer support for daily living, and they are often unlicensed.

What Are Some of the Most Common Examples of Abuse From a Home Health Agency?

Abuse from home health agencies can be subtle, and it may not always be what you may expect. Some examples of abuse are:

• Failing to assist with personal hygiene, nutrition, medication, or safety when transferring
• Not protecting the patient from health or safety hazards such as falls, infections, or bed sores
• Excessive billing or billing for services that were not provided or medically necessary
• Providing substandard care or not following the doctor’s orders
• Failing to prevent malnutrition or dehydration
• Not treating injuries, infections, or other complications
• Not supervising or training staff properly
• Failing to abide by HIPAA
• Isolating the patient from family, friends, or other sources of support
• Abusing the patient physically, verbally, sexually, financially, or emotionally
• Stealing the patient’s money, property, identity, or benefits
• Scamming the patient into accepting unnecessary or unwanted services or products

If you or your loved one is the victim of home health agency abuse, it is crucial to hire a home health abuse lawyer. Our legal team at Hunter Law, PC, can provide clear guidance throughout this process. We can help you gather evidence and file your claim.

FAQs About Orange County, CA Home Health Abuse Law

How Much Does a Home Health Abuse Lawyer Cost?

Home health abuse lawyers charge a range of fees that depend on the complexity of your individual case, their experience, and the location. For most abuse cases, lawyers will charge an hourly rate, contingency fees, or flat fees. With a contingency fee agreement, a lawyer takes a percentage of the final award.

At your initial consultation with our team at Hunter Law, PC, we can review your unique case and explain how our fee structure works, so you know what to expect in Orange County.

What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Home Health Abuse?

A range of evidence can be very useful for proving home health abuse claims. Physical evidence can include documentation or pictures of bruises, fractures, bedsores, soiled clothing, or unsanitary or unsafe living conditions. Digital evidence can include written logs for incidents. Medical and facility records can help reinforce your claim.

Physician notes, ER reports, and examinations help corroborate your claim of declining health or injury while under the agency’s care.

What Should You Do When a Home Health Aide is Taking Advantage of an Elderly Person?

If you suspect that a home health aide is taking advantage of an elderly person, it is important to contact 911 if there is an immediate threat of danger. If the senior is safe from immediate danger, you can contact an Orange County home health abuse lawyer. With the aid of our skilled team at Hunter Law, PC, you can explore your legal options.

Who Oversees Home Health Agencies in California?

In California, the California Department of Public Health and the Licensing and Certification Program oversee home health agencies. These groups oversee their licenses, perform inspections, and take action if they are not complying with state and federal regulations.

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as the Office of Inspector General, are federal agencies that monitor home health agencies’ compliance with Medicare and Medicaid standards. Agencies that do not perform medical services are licensed and overseen by the California Department of Social Services.

Hire a Home Health Abuse Lawyer

It is important to have a strong advocate by your side who understands home health agency abuse and neglect laws, as well as the potential penalties agencies may face. Abuse or neglect by a healthcare professional can sometimes be subtle and difficult to accept, but in the state of California alone, there are more than 200,000 cases of dependent adult abuse reported yearly.

Our team at Hunter Law, PC, has worked hard to seek justice and advocate for elderly clients for over 16 years. We can review your case and help guide you through the steps that should be taken to protect yourself or your loved one. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Our firm is located in Huntington Beach on Beach Blvd, and we represent clients throughout Orange County.

Orange County, CA Home Health Abuse Law Resources:

• Elder Abuse in America
• Reporting Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
• Pressure Ulcer AKA Bedsore: A Common Injury in Elder Abuse Cases
• When To Consult An Attorney: Elder Abuse and Neglect
• California Nursing Home Abuse Laws – All You Need To Know
• Legal Protection Against Elder Financial Abuse in California: What You Need to Know
• How to File an Elder Abuse Lawsuit in California
• Warning Signs of Elderly Sexual Abuse in California Nursing Homes
• Why Experience Matters in Fighting Elder Abuse Lawsuits