Nursing home neglect is very dangerous and may cause Chicago patients to suffer serious, disabling, or fatal injuries. This is because nursing home patients often suffer from poor health conditions, and when their conditions are not monitored or treated properly, they may be even more vulnerable to suffering additional health problems or injuries.
One report of nursing home neglect that was made public last week involved a patient who had suffered broken bones because she was not properly monitored by a nursing home worker. The patient needed help moving around, but she was left alone in her room without being able to reach her call button.
The recently publicized incident of nursing home neglect had occurred in Minnesota. The incident was investigated and investigators concluded that a nursing home worker had indeed neglected a patient who suffered injuries as a result. According to the report, the worker had left the patient in her room by herself without being able to reach her call button for when she needed assistance getting out of bed or moving around.
In addition to not having access to her call button, the patient was left in her room with the lights turned off, she was left sitting in a recliner, and she was not given oxygen before being left alone. After leaving the patient in her room by herself, the worker shut the woman’s door. When the patient tried to move around, she fell and suffered broken bones from the fall. The report stated that the negligent worker has since been fired.
When nursing home neglect or abuse causes patients to suffer injuries, patients and their families may consider pursuing a lawsuit to make sure negligent health care professionals and facilities are held accountable for their wrongdoings. Victims of nursing home neglect may be able to obtain compensation for their pain and suffering, hospital expenses, and other damages resulting from their injuries.
Source: Source: StarTribune, “Resident of Ely home neglected, injured,” Jane Friedmann, May 2, 2013
