Medical neglect in nursing homes occurs when medical providers and staff members breach the standard of care owed to residents. These standards vary from state-to-state. In all states, however, your loved one has a right to proper medical attention from a licensed medical provider.
Neglecting medical needs can result in an injury or death. If your family member suffered from medical neglect, you have a right to file a compensation claim.
Examples of Medical Neglect in Nursing Homes
Medical neglect has devastating effects on older adults who are already dealing with specific healthcare needs. Failing to prevent infections, treat medical conditions, or seeking emergency care when necessary means that the nursing home is negligent in meeting its duty of care.
The signs of medical neglect can manifest in numerous forms, including:
- Failing to medicate: Medicine is vital to your loved one’s longevity and vitality. Without it, he or she can suffer terrible health consequences. It is negligent if a nursing home fails to medicate.
- Improper medicating: Not only is receiving medication necessary, but it is also essential to take the right amount. Over- and under-medicating can become fatal quickly in a nursing home environment.
- Delaying healthcare: Long-term care facilities exist to provide full-time care. When they fail in this capacity, it is a significant medical neglect issue.
- Failing to diagnose: Some health conditions are more evident than others. However, your family member’s health must receive full attention to stave off problems quickly.
- Failing to monitor: When your loved one receives a diagnosis and receives treatment, his or her physician should follow-up and follow his or her progress routinely. It goes against the medical standard of care not to do so.
As you can tell, there are several areas of nursing home care that can fall into medical neglect. If you notice these errors, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-712-9119
Medical Neglect vs. Abuse
Medical neglect can also become a form of abuse inflicted upon nursing home residents. Understanding the differences between neglect and abuse and how to respond can help you respond practically when keeping your family member safe.
Abuse happens when a caregiver in a position of trust intentionally targets and harms the patient. In contrast, unintentional carelessness or recklessness generally causes neglect. Either way, it is never okay to act out against nursing home residents.
Since you now understand what neglect looks like, here are a few examples of what medical abuse looks like:
- Medical neglect
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Emotional battery
- Withholding treatment
- Financial abuse
- Social abuse
- And more
Nursing home abuse is not solely limited to physical harm. Medical neglect also falls under this realm when it is intentional.
Recognize the Signs of Medical Neglect
Medical neglect in nursing homes can pose quite a challenge to discover. Your loved one might not even mention that it is happening.
However, there are a few common signs, including:
- Poor hygiene and appearance
- Health and development problems
- Housing and family issues
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Unusual, unexplained health problems
Every nursing home resident is unique when it comes to the signs he or she exhibits. The most critical aspects to keep in mind are that you should listen, ask questions, and hire a nursing home medical neglect lawyer if you believe there is something wrong happening at the facility.
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What to Do If You Believe Your Family Member Is Facing Medical Neglect in Nursing Homes
The most direct course of action against any form of neglect is staying proactive. Monitor your loved one regularly for any of the issues, as described in this article.
Keep in mind that you need to investigate the cause of these injuries. However, it is reasonable to believe that medical neglect is happening to your loved one if his or her needs are going unmet.
After looking into the situation further, make sure you contact a nursing home abuse right away. He or she can handle the communications and settlement negotiations. At the same time, you focus on restoring your loved one’s health to as normal as possible.
Connect with Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a Free Consultation
You and your family member are not obligated to accept medical neglect from a nursing home as a normal part of daily life. Reach out to Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a free consultation at 800-959-1444.
Our legal team does not charge you any money for this call. If you decide to hire us to move forward in protecting your loved one you will not pay anything out of pocket. We only get paid if we secure a fair settlement on your loved one’s behalf.
Call or text 800-712-9119 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
