Nursing home injuries can be devastating not only for victims but for their families as well. Because of that, it is important for victims and their families to be familiar with legal protections for them and their loved ones.
Liability for nursing home abuse
Several different parties may be liable for nursing home injuries, neglect and abuse depending on the situation and circumstances. The ways in which nursing home facilities may be liable for nursing home abuse can include:
- Negligent supervision and care of employees and staff;
- Inadequately trained staff or understaffing;
- Negligent hiring and retention of employees and staff;
- Negligent maintenance of the premises or failing to provide for the security of the premises; and
- Negligent maintenance and selection of equipment used in the facility.
Signs of abuse or neglect
Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can include bed-related injuries such as bedsores, falls, infections, dehydration, malnutrition, rapid weight loss, wandering or getting lost, emotional agitation, isolation or a reluctance to talk around staff members or an unexpected or unexplained death of a resident. Families and loved ones should be familiar with these signs, know what to watch for and know what to do and how to take action if they see any of them and believe their loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Legal recourse
When a family entrusts the care, safety and well-being of a loved one to a nursing home, having that loved one harmed because of nursing home abuse and neglect can be family members’ worst nightmare. A nursing home injury claim may be able to help them hold the negligent party accountable and receive help with their damages which is why victims of nursing home abuse and neglect should be familiar with the legal remedies available to them.