Top 7 Signs of Negligence in a Nursing Home
The reason why families help loved one’s transition to nursing home living is to provide them with the kind of care they need to maintain their quality of life. When you put your loved one in a nursing home facility, you never expect them to be neglected or abused. Unfortunately, negligence is an issue in many nursing homes.
Negligence is when a facility or individual fails to meet the required and expected standard of care. Often, this is due to poor training, lack of oversight, or intentional disregard for residents’ well-being.
When you recognize the top signs of negligence in a nursing home, you’ll want to take action. If the staff fails to prevent injuries or ignores residents’ basic needs, they may be legally liable for their negligence.
These are the most common warning signs that a nursing home may not uphold its duty of care.
Unexplained Injuries or Falls
One of the most visible and disturbing signs of negligence in a nursing home is unexplained injuries.
Some of these may include bruises, cuts, fractures, or burns. While minor accidents can happen, if there are frequent or serious incidents, it could indicate a failure to supervise residents.
Let’s look at residents and falls. Nursing homes must also have fall prevention measures in place. These can include bed rails, call buttons, and trained staff to help residents with their mobility. If your loved one has fallen multiple times or suffered serious injuries, staff may have acted negligently in monitoring or helping them.
Bedsores and Skin Infections
These issues can develop when residents remain in the same position for too long without being moved.
These can be avoided with proper care, making them one of the most common signs of negligence. Nursing home staff have to reposition immobile residents on a regular basis to prevent bedsores.
Staff members have failed to provide the necessary care if your loved one has red, irritated skin, open wounds, or severe sores.
Poor Medical Care and Medication Errors
Nursing homes must also provide adequate medical care, including administering medications correctly and make sure residents receive the necessary treatments. If your loved one is experiencing unusual side effects or a decline in health, negligence in medication administration or medical treatment may be to blame.
Malnutrition and Dehydration
Both malnutrition and dehydration are, unfortunately, not uncommon issues in negligent nursing homes. A facility that fails to provide adequate meals, assist residents with eating, or ensure they have access to fresh water is engaging in negligence.
Even if residents require assistance with eating due to mobility issues or medical conditions, the facility has a duty to provide assistance. If they fail to provide this support, they violate their duty of care.
Unsanitary and Hazardous Conditions
All nursing homes should be clean, well-maintained, and free of safety hazards. Unsanitary conditions can lead to infections, respiratory issues, and an overall decline in health. When a nursing home fails failure to maintain a safe and hygienic environment, the put all residents at risk.
These situations are clear cases of negligence.
Poor Communication with Staff
A nursing home should maintain open and honest communication with families. If staff avoid answering questions, fail to provide updates, or give conflicting explanations about a resident’s health, that can suggest a lack of accountability.
Families should expect clear communication about:
- Medication schedules, dosages, and any changes
- Any injuries, falls, or medical concerns
- Changes in resident’s behavior or overall health
If you can’t get straight answers from staff, the facility may be trying to hide instances of negligence.
Understaffing and Overworked Caregivers
One of the biggest contributors to nursing home negligence is understaffing. When there are too few caregivers, these facilities struggle to provide adequate care to residents. Nursing homes are legally obligated to ensure they have enough qualified staff to meet residents’ needs. If staffing levels are dangerously low, negligence is inevitable.
What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Negligence
If you believe a nursing home is negligent in its care to residents, you need to take action.
First, you will want to speak with staff and administrators. Make sure to ask for explanations and keep records of conversations.
If you’re unhappy with their response, be sure to file a formal complaint. You can report the facility to Montana’s Adult Protective Services or nursing home ombudsman.
In cases where negligence has caused serious harm, a nursing home abuse attorney can help explore legal options.
Take Action and Protect Your Loved One
Nursing home negligence is a common problem, and when it happens, it can majorly impact your loved one. If a facility fails to meet the required standard of care, it can and should be held accountable.
At Western Justice Associates, PLLC, we are here to advocate for you and your loved one’s rights.
