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Sociological Testimony in Long-Term Care Litigation

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Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology

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Abstract

With the growing population of residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities, sociologists can help defense and plaintiff attorneys and law firms in litigation involving the diagnosis, treatment, and management of various health and social problems at LTC facilities. Sociologists analyze medical records, develop questionnaires, scales, and other protocols, conduct experiments, and perform other research procedures to evaluate the degree of social, family, and occupational functioning or capacity of individuals in LTC facilities and other healthcare settings. Research findings also are used to assess organizational structure and process of LTC and can assist policy makers in developing LTC-related legislation. In this chapter, the author reviews social and behavior conditions that affect LTC care and provides several composite cases to illustrate the ways in which a sociologist can assist in LTC-associated litigation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State University, East Bay, CA, USA

    Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Stephen J. Morewitz Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing and Health Sciences, California State University, East Bay, San Francisco, California, USA

    Stephen J. Morewitz

  2. College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Mark L. Goldstein

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Morewitz, S.J. (2014). Sociological Testimony in Long-Term Care Litigation. In: Morewitz, S., Goldstein, M. (eds) Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7178-3_17

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