Woman holding elderly woman's hand

Can Nursing Home Negligence Be Fatal?

When families take a loved one to a long-term care facility, they expect professional and compassionate care. Unfortunately, some nursing homes do not provide the quality of care that residents expect.

Every year, many nursing home residents face abuse and neglect from their caregivers. A nursing home resident experiences neglect when their caregivers fail to provide the standard level of professional attention. Some studies suggest that nursing home negligence increases a person’s risk of death by nearly 300%. 

Those residents who have been neglected may also face psychological trauma. This can cause depression, anxiety, and emotional issues.

When a nursing home patient is neglected, the consequences can be dire. In some cases, extreme neglect can be fatal.

If you have lost a loved one due to nursing home neglect in Staten Island, do not hesitate. Reach out to a skilled attorney who understands nursing home neglect and abuse laws to hold the at-fault parties accountable. 

Common Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Family members dismiss clear signs of nursing home abuse or neglect in many cases. Some of the signs of neglect can be rationalized as resulting from the elderly resident’s health problems. 

It is vital to spot the signs of nursing home neglect to ensure that your loved one is receiving the care that they should.

Some of the most common signs of nursing home neglect and abuse include:

  • Bleeding
  • Bruises
  • Bedsores
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Changes in attitude
  • New diseases and infections
  • Mood shifts around caregivers
  • Unexplained financial difficulties
  • And more

Those in long-term care facilities may be too timid or ashamed to speak out about abuse or neglect. In some instances, residents are unable to vocalize their negative experiences. 

Some elderly people may feel that they bear the blame for the negative treatment they receive. For these reasons, victims sometimes fail to inform their family members about abuse or neglect.

That is why it is critical to notice the signs of nursing home neglect and abuse. If your family member has died, been injured, or become ill, your family deserves justice.

A skilled attorney can help you hold negligent facilities and caregivers accountable for the harm that they have caused.

Nursing Home Wrongful Death Claims

When a person dies because of negligent long-term care, their surviving family may be able to pursue a legal claim. This type of legal case can be particularly complicated. For this reason, it is vital to contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer. 

Some of the most common circumstances that lead to nursing home deaths include:

  • Malnutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Infection from pressure sores
  • Falls
  • Illnesses or injuries resulting from lack of care

If the victim’s surviving family can prove that the person’s death was the result of negligence, they may be able to recover damages. A nursing home abuse attorney will review the facts of the case to help determine whether negligence was the cause of the victim’s death.

By filing a nursing home wrongful death suit, the surviving family may be able to recover financial damages. 

Some of the most common examples of damages in nursing home negligence cases include compensation for the following:

  • The decedent’s outstanding medical bills 
  • The family’s loss of their relationship with the decedent
  • The victim’s physical pain and suffering
  • The family’s emotional trauma
  • Burial and funeral costs
  • And more

Speaking with a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney will give you the best chance of a positive outcome in your case.

Contact the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr.

When you need a skilled nursing home neglect attorney, look no further than the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr. Our firm proudly serves the residents of Staten Island. Contact our office for a free legal consultation today.