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One of very few lawyers exclusively litigating both physical and financial elder abuse cases.What Is... Physical Elder Abuse? What Is... Financial Elder Abuse? Kathryn A. Stebner | Kathryn Stebner has been in private practice emphasizing elder abuse.  Read More...

Wandering

Lack of Supervision Can Cause an Unsafe Environment

A lack of supervision in a nursing home can result in injuries or death for a resident who decides to wander. At Stebner & Associates in San Francisco, California, we are committed solely to protecting the elderly from this dangerous level of neglect.

As one of only a few California-based law offices that focus exclusively on elder neglect and abuse litigation, our attorneys bring experience and dedication when an unsupervised elderly family member is injured or a loved one dies after wandering. Contact us at 415.362.9800.

The Serious Consequences of Wandering

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities should be equipped with alarms and devices (WanderGuard) that prevent wandering off or immediately notify staff when a resident has left his or her room or the building. A controlled environment can suddenly become unsafe, mandating that staff be attentive at all times. Falling short of that obligation can have serious and even deadly consequences.

Nursing Homes Must Notify You and Implement a Plan

At Stebner & Associates, we hold facilities responsible for caring for the elderly and accountable when they fall short in their obligations. Proper funding to maintain qualified staff at adequate levels is vital. A nursing home or assisted living facility resident suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's requires diligent supervision. When an elderly person who suffers from dementia does wander off without supervision, the incident requires notification of his or her family members and the authorities.

Implementing a plan that involves putting that family member in a locked room or facility may be an important first step. Without notification or a plan, the wandering does not stop and can result in serious injury.

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced lawyer, please contact us.

What's Happening at Our Firm?Articles: by Kathryn A. Stebner Speaking Engagements: by Kathryn A. Stebner

    Kathryn A. Stebner has participated in the following Speaking Engagements (Click Here to view more):

    • “Ten Tips to Minimize Litigation and the Costs of Litigation”   The Plaintiff Attorney’s Perspective,” 2010 Annual Conference Aging Services of California, May 4-5, 2010, Long Beach, California.
    • “Kaiser Home Health – Discovery into Common Areas of Neglect,” Consumer Attorneys of California, April 20, 2010, Oakland, California.
    • “Financial and Physical Abuse to the Elderly,” Class Action and Individual Cases, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, April 13, 2010, San Francisco, California.
Recent Publications: by Kathryn A. Stebner
What Makes Us Different
  • Kathryn Stebner is a pioneer in elder advocacy
  • 1st elder abuse case filed in 1987
  • Frequent lecturer
  • Authored and testified on political bills regarding elder issues
  • 25+ years of passionate and highly effective representation for elders Click Here for More