Experienced Culver City Nursing Home Medication Error and Overmedication Lawyer

When a loved one in a nursing home becomes unusually drowsy, confused or withdrawn, medication may be the cause. Residents are harmed when staff give the wrong drug or dose, miss critical medications, or use sedating drugs to keep them quiet and easy to manage, which is known as a chemical restraint.

If you suspect this happened to someone you love, Steven D. Davis Law Group, APC, can review their records, identify what went wrong and explain your rights under California law. We represent families in Culver City and throughout Los Angeles County.

Common Nursing Home Medication Errors In California Facilities

Most nursing home medication errors trace back to understaffing and inadequate training. When a nurse is responsible for too many residents, or a caregiver has not been trained to follow medication orders, mistakes happen. For an older adult, even a small mistake can lead to falls, hospitalization or death. The most common errors include:

• Missed or delayed doses. Residents may go without blood thinners, insulin, seizure medication or heart medication, which can trigger a stroke, seizure or other medical emergency.
• Wrong drug or wrong resident. Staff may give a resident another person’s medication or fill an order incorrectly, especially when residents have similar names or crowded charts.
• Overdoses. Too much of a drug, or doses given too close together, can cause oversedation, breathing problems and organ damage.
• Dangerous drug interactions. Residents often take many medications at once. If staff or prescribers fail to check for interactions, combinations can cause bleeding, confusion or cardiac problems.
• Prescribing errors. A physician may order the wrong drug or dose, or fail to adjust medication when a resident’s condition changes.

Medication problems are not always accidental. When drugs are used to sedate residents for staff convenience, it is a chemical restraint, which we address below.

Signs Your Loved One May Be Overmedicated Or Chemically Restrained

Overmedication often shows up as a sudden change in how a resident looks, acts or functions. Watch for these red flags:

• Unusual drowsiness during the day
• New confusion or slurred speech
• Withdrawal from family and activities
• Unexplained falls or bruises
• A blank, “zombie-like” stare, as many families describe it

These changes can have other causes, but they are worth taking seriously, especially if they began after a new prescription or dose change.

Sedating residents to make them easier to manage, rather than to treat a documented medical condition, is a chemical restraint, and California regulations prohibit it. When a facility acts with reckless disregard for a resident’s wellbeing, it can also amount to neglect or abuse under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. If you suspect this is happening, a nursing home overmedication lawyer at Steven D. Davis Law Group, APC, can review the medical records and explain your family’s options.

Can a nursing home give antipsychotics without consent?

California law strictly prohibits skilled nursing facilities from administering antipsychotic drugs without prior written informed consent from the resident or their legal surrogate, except in verified life-threatening emergencies or under a specific court order.

What To Do If You Suspect A Medication Error In A Los Angeles County Nursing Home

If you think your loved one has been given the wrong medication or too much medication, act quickly. Records can be changed or lost over time, and early documentation makes it easier to find out what happened. If your loved one appears to be in immediate danger, call 911 first. Then take these steps:

• Request the Medication Administration Record (MAR) in writing. The MAR lists every drug given, the dose, the time and who gave it.
• Ask for a care conference or medication review. You can request a meeting with the facility’s nursing director and physician to ask why each drug was prescribed.
• Document everything. Write down changes, dates and symptoms, and photograph any visible signs of harm.
• Report your concerns. You can contact the California Department of Public Health or the Los Angeles County long-term care ombudsman.
• Talk to an elder abuse attorney before signing anything from the facility. Some documents can waive rights or limit your options.

These steps can help protect your loved one and preserve important records. When you are ready, we are glad to discuss what you have observed.

Speak With A Culver City Attorney About Your Loved One’s Care

Looking for a Los Angeles nursing home medication error lawyer? Steven D. Davis has 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer and has tried more than 140 jury trials to verdict. Our attorneys meet with clients one-on-one at our Culver City office, which has free parking, or we can come to you.

Call 310-570-2981 or 800-492-5881 or contact us online to talk with a Culver City elder abuse attorney serving Los Angeles County. Every case is different and past results do not predict future outcomes.