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Dehydration and Malnutrition in Los Angeles Nursing Homes

Families often turn to Los Angeles nursing homes when they do not have adequate time or resources to properly care for aging loved ones. These facilities are equipped with trained staff members and medical resources to provide proper care. However, Los Angeles nursing homes are often understaffed, leading to inadequate care that results in dangerous levels of dehydration and malnutrition. If you or a loved one has experienced the consequences of neglectful care leading to dehydration and malnutrition in Los Angeles nursing homes, our skilled nursing home abuse lawyer could help. The experienced attorneys at Levin & Nalbandyan can evaluate your case and help you hold negligent nursing homes responsible for their actions.

Understanding a Nursing Home's Duty of Care

California law requires that nursing homes and other elder caregivers ensure adequate nutrition for patients. Adequate food and liquid intake are necessary to ensure nursing home residents avoid physical harm. Depending on a resident’s condition, this can mean ensuring sufficient food supply and intake or providing assistance during feeding. Based on their training, Los Angeles nursing home staff members understand that elderly individuals are more vulnerable to dehydration and malnutrition and are obligated to act responsibly.

When nursing home staff fail to provide necessary care related to a resident’s condition, they have breached their duty of care. A facility that breaches its duty of care is guilty of negligence and responsible for providing compensation to the individuals its actions have harmed.

Symptoms of Dehydration and Malnutrition in Older Adults

The signs of dehydration and malnutrition in Los Angeles nursing home residents are often subtle. If the individual suffers from dementia or cognitive disabilities, they are less likely to recognize their discomfort and share concerns. When visiting loved ones in a nursing home, visitors should carefully watch for the following signs and symptoms:

Thirst
Dry mouth
Weight loss
Decreased responsiveness
Fatigue
Decreased urination
Dizziness
Irritability and confusion

In severe cases, dehydration and malnutrition can become a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. When suffering from severe dehydration, an individual may experience low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, or even unconsciousness. Recognizable symptoms of emergent conditions can include sunken eyes, little or no urination, and extremely dry mouth and skin. Delays in seeking medical attention when these conditions arise can lead to worsening outcomes for the patient.

Common Underlying Causes of Dehydration and Malnutrition in Nursing Homes

A critical component of nursing home care is ensuring residents are well-nourished and hydrated. When this is not the case, it puts residents – who are some of the most vulnerable among us – in an even more precarious position.

While every nursing home negligence claim in Los Angeles involving dehydration, malnutrition, or both is unique to the specifics involved, several underlying issues tend to play a role:

Inadequate staffing
Low-quality or unappetizing offerings
Failing to meet individual needs
Improper supervision and ensuring residents eat

Often, issues that relate to hydration and nutrition are systemic problems that reflect inadequate staffing and ineffective policies. In some instances, however, this serious concern is limited to one or more specific residents, and in these cases, the underlying problem is sometimes nursing home abuse.

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AT LEVIN & NALBANDYAN, LLP, WE HANDLE THE FOLLOWING KINDS OF PERSONAL INJURY LAW CLAIMS

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BUS ACCIDENTS

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CATASTROPHIC INJURY

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CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT

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DOG BITES

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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

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MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

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NURSING HOME ABUSE

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SEXUAL ABUSE

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What Does a Nursing Home Attorney Do?

Our nursing home lawyer represents families whose loved ones have suffered from neglect, abuse, or substandard care in long-term care facilities. Our attorneys investigate cases of dehydration and malnutrition by gathering medical records, dietary logs, weight charts, and facility care plans to document nursing home neglect in Los Angeles. We consult with medical experts who can testify about how proper nutrition and hydration should have been provided and the harm caused by failing to meet these basic needs.

Our attorneys hold facilities accountable by identifying violations of state and federal regulations, including those set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We work to secure compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and in cases of wrongful death, funeral costs and loss of companionship.

Beyond individual cases, our attorneys help protect other vulnerable residents by exposing systemic problems within facilities. We handle all communications with the nursing home’s insurance companies and legal teams, allowing families to focus on their loved one’s care and recovery. Our experienced attorneys understand the complex regulations governing nursing homes and know how to build compelling cases that demonstrate the facility’s failure to provide adequate nutrition and hydration.

When Should You Contact an Attorney?

You should contact our nursing home attorney in Los Angeles as soon as you suspect your loved one is suffering from dehydration or malnutrition. Warning signs include rapid weight loss, sunken eyes, dry mouth, confusion, weakness, bedsores, or repeated urinary tract infections. If facility staff cannot adequately explain these symptoms or become defensive when you raise concerns, legal intervention may be necessary.

Time is critical in nursing home neglect cases. Evidence can disappear, staff members may leave, and statutes of limitations restrict how long you have to file a claim. Contacting an attorney early ensures that crucial evidence is preserved and witness statements are documented while memories are fresh. You should also reach out to an attorney if the facility has been unresponsive to your concerns, if your loved one’s condition continues to deteriorate despite your complaints, or if you moved your family member to another facility due to inadequate care.

Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, our nursing home attorneys offer free consultations to evaluate your situation. Do not wait until the situation becomes life-threatening. Early legal intervention from our lawyer can sometimes prompt facilities to improve care immediately while also protecting your right to seek compensation for harm already suffered.

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More on Personal Injury Law

WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY?

Personal injury cases are some of the most common civil litigation cases—also known as “tort actions” or “lawsuits”—in the United States. They are filed by individuals who have experienced bodily injury, pain and suffering, and sometimes property damage in an accident caused by a negligent third party. These claims can also be filed for intentional harm or defamation of character by a third party.

DO I NEED TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY?

While you are not required to have an attorney to file a claim, having an attorney can make a significant difference in your claim. A personal injury attorney has a deep understanding of the claims process and can help you navigate the complexities of the law. Your attorney can also help you level the playing field with insurers and can tell you whether you are receiving the maximum compensation to which you are legally entitled.

I HAVE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

If you have been injured in an accident that was no fault of your own, there are steps you should take to ensure you are compensated for costs related to the incident. Taking quick action after your accident can profoundly affect your personal injury claim or lawsuit. After being involved in an accident, you should: Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent. Keep a record of your injuries and note any complications that arise because of your injuries. Report the incident as soon as possible after it occurs. Record detailed descriptions and notes about the facts of the incident. Keep receipts of medication and medical care you received Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who can help you navigate your claim.

WILL MY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM GO TO TRIAL?

Not all personal injury claims make it to court. In fact, a majority of injury cases are settled without having to litigate. What’s the difference between a settlement and going to trial? What are the pros and cons of each? There are two ways in which compensation can be awarded to you for your claim: through a settlement or by going to trial. There are pros and cons to each. When your claim is settled, the compensation for your claim is decided outside of court, usually through negotiations between lawyers.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

In California, you have two years to file a personal injury claim against an individual or non-government entity. If the injury is not immediately known, you have one year from the date the injury is discovered. If you’ve suffered injuries from an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should act quickly to ensure you are able to recover compensation for your losses.

Notifying Insurance Companies

You should notify your insurance company and the responsible party’s insurance company as soon as possible after your accident. Most insurance companies request that you file your claim within 24 – 48 hours after your accident. When you file a personal injury insurance claim, you are requesting that the at-fault party’s insurance pay for the losses you suffered as a result of your accident, and the compensation amount is determined during negotiations. Seeking Compensation You can get financial compensation in two ways: filing a personal injury insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, compensation can be sought for two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those with a measurable monetary value, such as medical expenses and lost wages. On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to losses that cannot be easily quantified, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. It is important to understand the types of damages available in your case so that you can seek compensation for all of your related losses. Soon after your accident, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who can explain the time limits to you and help you get the compensation you deserve.

ARE THERE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS NEAR ME?

Our firm is located in downtown Los Angeles. We can take all personal injury cases based in California.

Contact an Experienced Attorney for Help With a Dehydration and Malnutrition Claim

Dehydration and malnutrition can lead to severe injuries and dangerous health conditions in older adults. Weakness related to a lack of nutrition can cause lethargy, leading to falls. Severe cases of dehydration that go untreated can lead to renal failure or even stroke. Understaffing is the cause of most cases of dehydration and malnutrition in Los Angeles nursing homes. However, it does not relieve a facility of the responsibility of performing its required duties to keep residents safe and healthy.

If you or a loved one was affected by the consequences of dehydration and malnutrition, our experienced lawyers can help. At Levin & Nalbandyan, we are dedicated to fighting on behalf of your elderly loved ones. Our skilled legal team could help you gather evidence, file a claim, and negotiate with defense attorneys and insurance representatives. If necessary, we will be prepared to take your case to court to fight for your right to compensation for injuries caused by nursing home negligence. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

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If your claim has been denied or your attorney has decided to give up, reach out to our firm for a second opinion.