Nursing Home Abuse In New York
According to a 2008 New York Times article, more than 90 percent of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007, with about 17 percent having deficiencies that actually caused harm or immediate jeopardy to patients. Problems included infected bedsores, medication mix-ups, poor nutrition, and abuse and neglect of patients.
That same year, about one-fifth of the complaints verified by federal and state authorities involved the abuse or neglect of patients. Meanwhile, various organizations are working to try to help improve the situation. If you or a loved one was victimized by nursing home abuse in New York, you may benefit from a consultation with a New York medical malpractice lawyer.
Nursing home abuse NY
In an effort to help consumers choose reputable nursing homes for their loved ones, ProPublica, a non-profit organization based in New York City, recently created an application called “Nursing Home Impact.” The application uses data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicate to identify nursing home violations during the last three years.
Nursing homes are routinely inspected every year, and are subject to additional inspections whenever someone lodges a complaint against them. Problems found during these inspections became a part of the ProPublica app.
Among the top ten most commonly reported problems were accidental hazards, infection issues, and a lack of sanitary conditions around food distribution. Other problems that have been reported in nursing homes include neglect leading to bedsores, dehydration, and malnutrition, and a lack of staff members with the appropriate clinical expertise to properly serve the residents.
Victims of this type of abuse and neglect deserve compensation, and may be represented by a New York medical malpractice lawyer.
Types of nursing home abuse in NY that qualifies as medical malpractice
In general, nursing home abuse in NY refers to any physical, sexual, psychological, verbal, or financial abuse residents may suffer while in a nursing home. It is a continuing issue in New York, it often goes unreported because the victims involved are too frightened to come forward.
Medical malpractice may be involved if the facility fails to employ properly trained staff members, or makes cuts in the number of employees that leads to neglect of the residents. Doctors and nurses may make mistakes, like giving incorrect medications, giving the wrong dose, misdiagnosing a resident’s condition, or even failing to pay attention to developing bedsores or infections.
A facility may also be held liable for medical negligence if they fail to provide sanitary living conditions, fail to notice rapid weight loss or weight gain and act accordingly, or fail to appropriately treat the resident after a fall.
When a New York medical malpractice lawyer can help
Nursing home neglect in NY should not be tolerated. If you or someone you loved has experienced abuse or neglect in a nursing home, please contact the attorneys at The Sanders Firm today. A NY medical malpractice lawyer is familiar with the types of claims you may bring, and can help review the facts of your case. The initial consultation is free.
