June 27, 2024 | Nursing Home Negligence

When we leave our loved ones under the care of a nursing home, we trust that they are in good hands. We believe that the nursing home will meet the needs of our loved ones. Nursing homes play a crucial role in providing care for elderly individuals who may require assistance with daily tasks and medical needs. However, these facilities don’t always meet these expectations. Instances of negligence within these facilities can lead to serious harm to residents. It is essential that families are aware of the scope of nursing home negligence and are able to take action to protect their loved ones.

What is Nursing Home Negligence?

Nursing home negligence is defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the failure of nursing homes to meet the basic needs of nursing home residents. These basic needs include food, water, clothing, essential medical care, hygiene and shelter. Nursing home negligence may occur as a result of understaffing, poor management, inadequate training or lack of proper protocols and procedures within the facility.

Types of Nursing Home Negligence

Nursing home negligence can take various forms affective both the resident’s physical needs and their sense of emotional security. Some common forms of nursing home negligence include:

• Medical neglect

Nursing homes are responsible for meeting the medical needs of the nursing home resident. They are the required to provide the resident with the medical care they need. Medical negligence occurs when the nursing fails to prevent health problems, properly treat them or fail to respond to medical emergencies. For example, a nursing home can be considered negligent if an infection goes untreated and results in serious complications.

• Neglect of personal hygiene

Nursing home residents may require assistance with day to day tasks such as bathing, brushing their teeth and going to the toilet. Neglecting to assist residents with tasks to maintain cleanliness can lead to physical discomfort and health issues.

• Emotional and psychological neglect

This may involve ignoring a resident’s need for social interaction by isolating them from social activities. It can also involve leaving a patient alone for extended periods, not allowing them to interact with their family, friends or other residents.

Signs of Nursing Home Negligence

The symptoms of nursing home negligence often aren’t as obvious as those of nursing home abuse. However, this doesn’t mean that negligence is any less serious. It is crucial that loved ones are able to identify potential issues so that they can take appropriate action. Some signs to look out for include:

• Bedsores
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss
• Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
• Sudden and unexplained changes in behavior such as depression or withdrawal
• Lack of or loss of mobility
• Unexplained injuries
• The development of medical conditions or complications e.g. recurrent infections

Why You Should Contact a Lawyer

If you suspect that your elderly loved one is a victim of nursing home negligence, it is vital that you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. There are several ways that the experienced nursing home negligence attorneys at High & Younes, LLC can help.

• Legal expertise

Our attorneys are experienced in handling nursing home abuse and negligence cases. We have in-depth understanding and years of experience in elder law and other relevant legislations. We will assess your case and provide you with guidance on the options available to you and your loved ones. We will provide you with guidance on the best way to approach your case.

• Ensuring the safety of your loved one

We can help ensure the safety of your loved one by reporting the issues to the nursing home management or even facilitating the transfer of your loved one to another facility. We will refer to our network and use our resources to help ensure your loved one’s safety.

• Protection or rights

Nursing home residents have the legal right to receive proper care and treatment. Nursing home negligence is a violation of the basic rights of the resident. It can also be considered a breach of contract as the nursing home has failed to fulfill its duties as outlined in the contract. Our attorneys will not only help ensure that your loved one’s rights are upheld but also that any instances of negligence are addressed.

• Pursuit of justice

Our experienced and skilled attorneys will work to hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions or lack thereof. We will work to recover fair compensation for the damages suffered. We will also work to pursue punishment of the responsible parties to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in future.

Discovering that your loved one is the victim of nursing home negligence can be devastating. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk this difficult path alone. The attorneys at High & Younes, LLC are here to help. Call us on 402-933-3345 to schedule free consultation. We will help you fight for justice on behalf of your loved one.

Nursing Home Negligence