Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect: Minneapolis Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer Explains

Learn the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect Due to Minnesota Nursing Home Malpractice

 

Like nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect can be very difficult to prove but it can result in serious personal injuries or wrongful death.  In fact, most cases of nursing home neglect are medical malpractice or nursing home malpractice because they contain a deviation of the standard of care.  Meaning that a reasonably prudent nursing home (and its medical staff like registered nurses) would not neglect a patient entrusted under their care and treatment.  This is why Kuhlman Law, LLC is hosting a two-week nursing home malpractice series to help educate residents and their families of potential Minneapolis nursing home malpractice to protect their rights.

 

What is Nursing Home Neglect?

 

Nursing home neglect is when a resident’s medical needs are not met due to inaction by a nursing home staff member or provider.  This is nursing home malpractice and medical malpractice because the standard of care includes acts or omissions by a provider.  This means a provider can be liable for not doing something equally as if the provider performed an act improperly.

 

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

 

Nursing home neglect can be hard to prove in some instances because it deals with inaction.  Meaning that you will have to prove what actions should have been taken to be successful.  The problem is that the nursing home controls all of the evidence of this, including the records, the staff, and even the resident.

 

But there are some signs of nursing home neglect which are red flags.  If you are experiencing this in your care, or if you see a loved one having these warning signs, make sure to seek out legal assistance.  Some common warning signs of nursing home neglect include the following:

 

• Pressure sores – also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, a pressure sore is an injury to a patient’s body due to friction and the force of a mattress spring on the same spot of the body.  This can wear away tissue and result in a deep injuries causing a massive infection.  In some of the worst pressure sores a resident’s bones could even be visible.  But these are “never events,” meaning that they should never occur in the proper medical care and treatment.  When a nursing home resident suffers a pressure sore, it is likely due to neglect in his or her treatment.  This is a strong warning sign of nursing home malpractice.
• Infections – whenever a nursing home victim has an infection, the mechanism from the infection needs to be determined.  This is because the infection could be from improper wound care and treatment, from improper catheter use or sterilization (a UTI), or from a pressure sore.
• Sepsis – like na infection, when a patient becomes septic there needs to be an investigation what happened.  Sepsis is a widespread infection that goes into the bloodstream.  Sepsis is generally called when an infection goes unnoticed and untreated, thus allowed to fester to a dangerous level.
• Medication prescriptions are not running out as fast as they should – when a resident’s medications are not properly being administered, they will not run out as fast for reordering.  This is a mathematically possible way to demonstrate nursing home neglect when a patient is not getting his or her required medications.
• Soiled sheets or clothing;
• Unkept hair, teeth, or other medical needs;
• Uncleaned rooms or equipment; and
• Many other types.

 

Minnesota Nursing Home Neglect Can Result in the Wrongful Death of a Patient: Learn How to Protect Your Rights Here

 

Nursing home neglect can result in serious personal injuries or wrongful death to a resident.  While this type of nursing home malpractice can be hard to prove, it is not impossible with the help of a knowledgable, compassionate, and experienced Minneapolis nursing home neglect lawyer.  If you or a loved one have been injured due to the medical malpractice of a healthcare provider such as a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other health care service professional, call Kuhlman Law, LLC for a FREE consultation by dialing (612) 444-3374 to learn what your rights to compensation may be.  If we accept your case, we will conduct a thorough review of your case and advise you whether there may have been a serious medical mistake causing your injury.   There is no risk, and you do not owe us money unless we win your case.