Drug rehab facilities are found throughout California. As these facilities aren’t hospitals, they’re not regulated as strictly as hospitals, even though there are many ways that patients might be injured through negligence or treatment by the facility’s staff. As a result of a rehab facility’s status in the California health care system, patients who are injured in a rehab facility often fail to understand their legal rights. Our California Rehab Facility personal injury lawyer here at Maison Law is here to explain some of the most common injuries that can occur in a rehab facility, along with your legal rights if you are a victim of the negligence of a California Rehab facility’s administrator or employee.
Common Injuries That Can Be Suffered at a California Rehab Facility
Neither the federal government nor the State of California has accurately described a rehab facility. On that basis, there really aren’t any clear guidelines or regulations governing what’s supposed to occur during a rehab stint. That’s the main reason why so many people are injured when they’re patients at rehab facilities. Here are some of the common injuries:
- Potentially fatal drug interactions of prescribed medications.
- Lack of proper care when a patient is withdrawing from opioids or fentanyl.
- Patients relapsing in a presumably secure facility.
- The undue influence of staff members in attempting to compel a patient’s attendance at a facility’s events.
- Sexual or physical abuse by administrators, staff, or other patients.
- Negligent care leading to relapse, harming oneself, overdosing, or suicide.
- Hazardous conditions on the facility premises.
What Standard of Care Should Be Used to Determine Negligence?
Given the fact that there is such a paucity of governmental regulation of rehab facilities that defines a standard of care at rehab facilities, California law only recognizes an amorphous rehab facility standard of care. They need only provide a reasonable standard of care and nothing more. Suspected negligence can be reported to California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and an investigation will likely be performed. DHCS might address the appropriate standard of care on a specific allegation of negligence.
Pursuing Compensation for an Injury at a Rehab Facility
After being seriously injured due to the negligence of a rehab facility, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages. California law allows you to pursue the following damages:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Lost earnings or diminished earning capacity.
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Other valuable damages in the event of wrongful death.
Contact a California Wrongful Death Lawyer
Drug rehab facilities are places where people who are addicted to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids, or fentanyl should receive the care and treatment needed to overcome their abuse or dependencies, and not other issues that arise as a result of the carelessness and negligence of a facility’s administrators or employees. If you were injured or lost a loved one due to a rehab facility’s negligence anywhere in California, contact us here at Maison Law for a free consultation and case review. You’ll be listened to carefully, and your questions will be answered. After that, we can discuss any legal options that might be available to you. If we’re retained to represent you, we aim to obtain the highest settlement or award you deserve.
