Nursing Home Abuse FAQs
- I put my aunt in a very expensive nursing home, so why should I worry about neglect?
- My mother passed away after the nursing home attendants failed to alert a doctor about her high fever. Should I contact a lawyer?
- I think my elderly relative is suffering from neglect, but the nursing home insists her decline is due to old age. How do I know who is right?
- I found my elderly father left unattended for hours in his wheelchair – the nursing home says there aren’t enough staff to keep track of all the patients. Does this seem right?
- My aunt suffered a fall that led to her death – and the nursing home says it was her fault for trying to get up on her own to use the bathroom. Don’t they have any responsibility for this tragedy?
- If a nursing home aide doesn’t call the doctor right away in an emergency, is that negligence?
- My father died of an infection contracted in his nursing home – and in the hospital, the doctor said that persistent bed sores probably contributed to his condition. Do I have a case against the nursing home?
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I put my aunt in a very expensive nursing home, so why should I worry about neglect?
The National Citizen’s Coalition of Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) reports that 97 percent of nursing homes fail to provide enough staffing to prevent residents from risking serious medical problems. This includes some of the most expensive facilities, so cost doesn’t always correlate to quality care. In addition, a 2008 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that 91 percent of nursing homes surveyed were cited for deficiencies in the three years covered by the study. Additionally, 17 percent of the nursing homes surveyed in 2007 were cited for actual harm or immediate jeopardy deficiencies.
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My mother passed away after the nursing home attendants failed to alert a doctor about her high fever. Should I contact a lawyer?
If you believe your loved one died because of poor care in a nursing home, you most certainly should contact an attorney experienced in nursing home neglect cases. You may have grounds for a legal claim against the facility – and while compensation won’t erase your loss, it may help to hold the home accountable for the negligence of its staff.
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I think my elderly relative is suffering from neglect, but the nursing home insists her decline is due to old age. How do I know who is right?
While it’s true that signs of aging and symptoms of neglect can often be similar, you shouldn’t accept the explanation of “old age” as a justification for poor care. If your instincts tell you that factors beyond aging are involved, discuss your issues with the nursing home director – and contact an attorney if you feel your complaints aren’t being taken seriously or your relative has sustained injuries.
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I found my elderly father left unattended for hours in his wheelchair – the nursing home says there aren’t enough staff to keep track of all the patients. Does this seem right?
Unfortunately, lack of adequate staff is one of the biggest problems contributing to nursing home neglect – but that doesn’t make it a valid excuse for leaving an elderly patient unattended. Discuss your concerns with the nursing home director and if your father’s condition worsens, contact an attorney to discuss possible legal options.
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My aunt suffered a fall that led to her death – and the nursing home says it was her fault for trying to get up on her own to use the bathroom. Don’t they have any responsibility for this tragedy?
If inadequate or poorly trained staff contributed to your aunt’s fall, then the home does bear responsibility. Nursing home staff should understand that elderly patients need assistance with certain functions, and the failure to provide that help is nothing short of negligence. Contact an attorney to discuss more details specific to your case.
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If a nursing home aide doesn’t call the doctor right away in an emergency, is that negligence?
Nursing home staff should be trained to recognize conditions that require immediate medical attention, and if any staff member failed to alert a doctor or a paramedic to a patient’s urgent needs, the home may have acted negligently.
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My father died of an infection contracted in his nursing home – and in the hospital, the doctor said that persistent bed sores probably contributed to his condition. Do I have a case against the nursing home?
Nursing home staff should be aware of the potential dangers to elderly patients if they are left in the same position in their beds or wheelchairs all day long. If the nursing home staff failed to turn your father or check and treat any bed sores, they may have acted negligently. Contact an attorney for more advice specific to your case.
If you have other questions about your loved one’s nursing home care, contact the New York lawyers of Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. With more than 150 years of combined experience, our attorneys are well-prepared to handle all your legal needs. Call us at (800) 411-0520 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. We will fight for you!
