What are Elopement & Wandering?
The main reason most people seek long-term care for their loved ones is to “keep them safe”. Cognitively-impaired residents are prone to wandering, which can lead them to elope (i.e. leave the facility unauthorized and unsupervised, without staff knowledge). Often, these residents are simply trying to “get home.” When a resident elopes from a facility, they often do not have the ability to find their way back, or even to make it to a safe place.
How can injuries from Elopement & Wandering Incidents be prevented or mitigated?
If a facility does not notice the resident’s absence promptly and does not take appropriate steps to notify law enforcement, wandering or elopement can lead to serious and dangerous situations, including but not limited to: suffering falls outside the nursing home, heat or cold exposure, traffic accidents, drowning, etc. Nursing homes can and should screen residents for these behaviors and, where appropriate, employ environmental safeguards such as secured or alarmed exits, door codes, wander-alert bracelets, and enclosed courtyards, along with increased supervision and staffing.
Abuse and neglect are not always obvious at first.
Warning signs may include:
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Unexplained injuries, bruises, or fractures
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Repeated falls or injuries the facility cannot clearly explain
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Pressure sores or wounds that worsen over time
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Dehydration, malnutrition, or sudden weight loss
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Poor hygiene, soiled clothing, or unchanged bedding
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Medication errors or missed doses
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Infections or untreated medical concerns
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Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or alertness
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Fearfulness around certain staff members
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Delayed, vague, or inconsistent answers from the facility
Where We Practice
We proudly represent clients throughout California. Elder abuse cases are investigated where they happened, and typically litigated in the courthouse and county where the facility operates. We have deep familiarity with the local systems throughout the state.
Pursuing the justice your loved one deserves
When a facility fails to meet its legal obligations, California law provides a meaningful framework for accountability. The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act gives victims and their families the right to pursue:
Compensatory damages for actual costs incurred by the harm caused.
Enhanced remedies, including pre-death pain and suffering, attorney's fees, and costs of suit.
Punitive damages that are not available in standard negligence cases. That distinction matters enormously in terms of accountability and case value.