When nursing homes start to neglect patients, they cross very real legal bounds that can get them in a lot of trouble. After all, neglect can lead to deaths and severe illnesses that end up causing grief for the family related to the patient. Even something small like bed sores may give you a case.
States such as Arkansas are quickly putting legislation in to help prevent nursing home related deaths. One law says that deaths that occur in a nursing home must be investigated by the coroner- and a funeral will be delayed until this happens. In doing so, Arkansas has effectively shut down several nursing homes found to be in violation of nursing home neglect. Laws.
Even something as seemingly small as bed sores can be considered neglect, and the suffer may be entitled to a real case against the nursing home. This is common among immobile residents who are disabled and can’t move. If their body is not shifted around frequently, the sores will begin to develop. This is an obvious case against the nursing home, who should be paying more attention.
We are all aware that food and water is necessary to live. Those who aren’t able to are for themselves properly rely on the assistance of nurses to get their daily requirements. If for whatever reason they aren’t getting enough of either food or water, their health will start to show it. Usually malnutrition can be caught in its early stages, but can be dangerous if it isn’t- and can still cause lasting effects. This is also grounds for a court case.
Even something such as assault or physical abuse can happen to a loved one when in a nursing home. Nursing home officials should be able to monitor their employees at all times, ensuring they are not doing anything to harm patients. Even still, there are reported cases in which orderlies have been caught physically hurting patients, taunting them, or otherwise causing harm. Even one instance of this happening is grounds for action.
Even if a patient leaves the facility on his or her own free will and becomes injured, the nursing home may be charged with neglect. Some patients are not mentally sound, meaning they need extra care to ensure they may not hurt themselves or others without meaning to. Nursing homes take up full responsibility of this when signing on a patient, and will be liable if such an even occurs.
In Conclusion
Nursing homes shouldn’t be a prison for the elderly- they should be peaceful institutions that are in place to make life easier for everyone. If you suspect that a nursing home has been neglecting a friend or family member, you should start investigating your options in making a legal case.