New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
When we place our loved ones in the care of a nursing home we expect that they will be properly treated and cared for. Sadly, there are many instances where negligent care is given. In one recent case, a nursing home resident was seriously injured after being scaled by hot water that was spilled on her. The woman’s health declined and she died. A representative for the woman’s estate has filed a lawsuit in stating that they did not provide proper care to her.
Burns Can Be Serious
Burns to the skin can occur for a number of reasons. In this case, the woman suffered burns due to hot water that was spilled. The nursing home staff allegedly did not properly supervise the woman while under their care. The woman sustained severe physical injuries that contributed to her death. Burns are painful, and may become infected, causing other medical problems. In this instance, the lawsuit alleges that the burns were quite severe and indeed led to the woman’s decline in health, and subsequent death.
Improper Supervision and Care
Nursing home patients must be adequately supervised to ensure their safety as well as the safety of others. The nursing facility may not have enough caregivers on staff to monitor patients, which may lead to neglect. Residents who are neglected are more likely to suffer injuries, falls, and bedsores. The staff members must be supervised in order to tend to the needs of patients under their care. The woman in this instance was allegedly not supervised or monitored to protect her from harm.
Negligent Care in Nursing Homes
Negligent care in nursing homes can and should be prevented. Nursing homes are legally required to provide proper care to all patients they accept for care. When they fail to do so, they should be held accountable for neglect. Unfortunately, negligence is not always evident, even after a resident dies. An experienced legal team is able to review the situation and gather the evidence necessary to prove that neglect has occurred.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home residents do not always report incidences of neglect or abuse. They may not even tell their close relatives or friends. Instead, they suffer in silence because they are afraid or unable to come forward. There are some common signs that nursing home neglect has occurred. Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones may indicate an accident has happened. Most accidents in nursing homes should be prevented and therefore are often considered neglectful care. Residents who experience neglect could become introverted, or they may get more combative. Any signs of neglect should be explored to determine whether the nursing home staff failed to provide adequate care.
These cases are a reminder of the need to plan ahead to ensure you or a loved one is financially prepared for long-term care needs. Failure to plan can result in a lack of options and being forced to use sub-par facilities and caregivers.