If your loved one is living in a nursing home, you should be able to rest easy knowing that they are in good hands. However, this is not always the case. One common failure of nursing homes is a lack of supervision. Elderly adults can have specific medical needs and health conditions that require the attention of staff.
If you notice any of the following signs, you should investigate the nursing home and pay attention to the health of the resident. Some signs of failed supervision include but are not limited to:
- Unanswered or avoided questions
- Phones left ringing and generally poor response time
- High staff turnover
- Complaints about a particular staff member
- Unexplained injuries or accidents
- Understaffing
- Long periods of time without seeing a nursing home staff member
There are many ways in which a nursing home can fail to effectively supervise residents, including those dear to you. If you sense that something is wrong, trust your instinct and take action to report your concerns.
Consequences of a Lack of Monitoring
Elderly individuals and other residents in a nursing home can suffer from the effects of understaffing or poorly trained employees. If the facility does not offer an adequate ratio of patients to caretakers, patients may not receive food or medication on time, which can impact the health of vulnerable seniors. Similarly, other medical needs may be delayed and result in infections like bedsores.
When patients are not watched by staff, they may hurt themselves if they try to walk around or complete tasks for themselves. Patients can even suffer abuse from other nursing home residents, and staff who are not watching out for both patients. Staff members who do not pay attention to seniors may miss signs of abuse from others, and abuse can have serious mental, physical, and even financial effects.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 712-9119
Neglect and Abuse
Staff may not intend to neglect residents, sometimes neglect is caused by circumstances they may not be able to control. For example, overworked and understaffed nursing homes may not be able to give patients the proper attention they need. However, the nursing home still has a responsibility to care for patients, under state guidelines and the Nursing Home Reform Act.
Abuse is more intentional, and residents can face multiple forms of abuse at once, such as emotional and financial abuse. Abuse can come from caretakers, other residents, and other employees in the facility.
Cases of patients not being monitored in nursing homes and other forms of abuse and neglect are more common than you might expect. The United States Justice Department estimates that nearly 10% of adults over the age of 65 will experience a form of abuse or neglect during any given calendar year.
The Dangers of Poor Treatment in a Nursing Home
Poor treatment in a nursing home setting can cause injury and even death. While some injuries from poor treatment are minor, others can be more severe. Abuse, neglect, and other forms of unacceptable treatment can affect the physical health of your loved one, but it could also cause emotional harm and other forms of suffering.
You could additionally be left with medical bills for injuries that would have been prevented under appropriate supervision by the nursing home staff.
If your loved one is left unsupervised in a potentially dangerous situation, this could be a form of negligence. If this is the case and your loved one is not receiving the care they need, you and your family can take legal action against the responsible parties.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Potentially Recoverable Compensation
If you have noticed signs that your loved one is not being monitored in a nursing home or other indicators that something might be wrong, your loved one and family could be eligible for financial compensation.
Some victims of nursing home abuse or neglect stemming from failed supervision can receive reimbursement for legal fees and medical bills caused by a preventable injury. Speaking with a lawyer familiar with cases like yours could be beneficial if you are considering legal action.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Getting Legal Help
Noticing signs that your loved one is not being monitored in a nursing home can be a very difficult realization. After trusting that your loved one is under the care of trained staff, you are suddenly dealing with the possibility that they are suffering due to the negligence of others.
Remember during this time that you have legal options and can take action to pursue justice. If you would like to learn more about how you can get legal help, a team member at Ben Crump Law, PLLC is available to discuss your case. Call (800) 712-9119 today to learn more.
Call or text (800) 712-9119 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
