Nursing homes are meant to be bastions of safety and compassion, and while the vast majority meet these standards, some are, unfortunately, simply unfit for service. When the less reputable options slip through the cracks, you can find your loved ones whom you have placed in their care being mistreated either via active bullying or passive indifference. This post will explore a few reasons why certain nursing homes are finding themselves on the receiving end of litigation regarding negligence.
Inadequate Infection Control Procedures In Place
A nursing home’s failure to implement proper infection control procedures could leave it open to a raft of negligence claims. Without adequate protocols to prevent the spread of disease, vulnerable residents are at risk of not only large-scale outbreaks but also smaller issues like bed sores and the like that can rapidly get out of control. According to these Nursing Home Bed Sore attorneys in Chicago, these problems can manifest in a variety of ways, making the risk of litigation even more prevalent for those facilities that aren’t up to code. Basic steps like handwashing, sanitizing surfaces, and isolating sick residents are crucial to protect those who are most vulnerable. Essentially, if a facility is lax in putting safeguards in place, and residents, as a result, contract avoidable illnesses, it may be found liable for negligence.
Poorly Trained Staff Causing Mistakes
Poor training is arguably one of the most common mistakes that many of the lower-quality, high-capacity nursing homes make. When staff is not adequately trained in any business, it can cause issues, but when it comes to industries dealing with vulnerable people, these issues can take on a far more profound shape. Staff may not know how to lift or move residents properly, leading to falls or other physical harm. Moreover, they may also be unable to recognize critical changes in a resident’s condition due to a lack of medical knowledge. Consequently, negligence claims can arise when a resident is harmed due to an error that may have been avoided with better training, putting it firmly in the criminal negligence camp.
Understaffing That Leads To Inadequate Care
It’s an unfortunate truth that nursing homes and other comparable establishments face tremendous difficulties in fully staffing their institutions. When facilities are understaffed, workers may be overwhelmed and unable to devote the necessary time and attention to each resident’s needs. We don’t need to spell out what can happen when there aren’t enough people to tend to everyone, all with differing illnesses and at varying stages of life. This can mean residents don’t receive adequate assistance with daily activities that may be straightforward for others but that they need help with, such as bathing, dressing, and taking medications when required. Overworked employees may also be more likely to commit errors. When understaffing causes harm due to a lack of adequate supervision, assistance, or medical care, it opens the door for negligence lawsuits against the nursing home since plaintiffs can argue facilities have a duty to provide sufficient staffing levels to properly care for their residents.
Failure To Properly Administer Medications
Accurate medication management is crucial for elderly well-being, as they often take multiple prescriptions. However, nursing home staff may not always double-check dosages, times, or interactions as needed. They could give the wrong drug an incorrect amount or administer a medication that is contraindicated based on a resident’s condition. These types of errors can lead to dangerous side effects, reactions, and even overdoses for vulnerable seniors. When a resident is seriously injured or their health significantly declines due to improper administration of meds, it may constitute medical negligence on the part of the nursing home. Lawsuits ensue when facilities are seen not taking adequate steps to ensure medications are handled appropriately.
Failure To Address Patient Complaints
Residents and their families expect facilities to be responsive if issues arise with care, living conditions, staff interactions, and more. However, some nursing homes do not always take complaints seriously or work diligently to investigate and remedy problems. When concerns brought up by residents go unanswered or are dismissed, it shows the facility is potentially indifferent to signs of inadequate care or other red flags. Not fixing legitimate issues residents complain about, such as soiled bedding not being changed promptly, could then allow minor problems to escalate into bigger ones with health consequences. If a resident suffers preventable harm linked to a repeated yet unsolved complaint, it provides grounds for a lawsuit against the nursing home.
A nursing home should be a place of care, compassion, and passion. However, litigation against the facility may be an option if you or a loved one experiences active or passive mistreatment.
