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Nursing home abuse can be a nightmare for family members who have entrusted the care of their loved one to a nursing home. When a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is important for family members to be familiar with the legal protections available to help them and their loved ones.
When a nursing home resident has been harmed, the nursing home, medical professionals or nursing home staff may be liable to the victim and the victim’s family for the damages they have suffered. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect can result in death or injuries to victims. Families should be on the look out and know what to watch for including bedsores; improper or excessive medication; infestations or wounds; malnutrition or dehydration; sepsis or infection; urinary tract infections; sexual abuse of a resident; peritonitis or improper placement of a feeding tube; aspiration pneumonia; or when a loved one has suffered multiple falls in a nursing home facility
In addition, family members should also watch out for fraudulent charting in a nursing home where their loved one is receiving care. Close to 2 million Americans live in nursing homes and many are understaffed which can lead to some of the problems described above. Nursing home carelessness and neglect can lead to a variety of different types of harm to victims and is something that nursing homes and nursing home staff can be held accountable for.
Victims and their families may be able to bring a claim for damages and receive compensation for their physical, financial and emotional harm. Deciding to place a loved one in the care of a nursing home facility is a big decision for anyone to make which is why legal protections are in place to ensure that family members and loved ones are safe and well cared for in nursing home facilities.
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