Jean Engstrom, a 51-year-old woman who was mentally ill, drowned on July 4th in a bathtub at the West Rogers Park facility where she was discovered with the water still running. The Cook County medical examiner’s office have yet to determine whether the drowning was accidental, or perhaps a suicide or homicide. Whether or not this was a case of nursing home abuse or neglect is still in question.
Nursing homes in Chicago and elsewhere are supposed to supervise residents with medical or mental conditions when needed as they bathe. When a resident has a severe mental deficiency they require monitoring, because some people with these conditions do become suicidal. While it seems nearly impossible, an individual can drown in only inches of water in a bucket, bathtub, pool or any other source of water, and it takes only 4 minutes without oxygen for permanent brain damage or even death to occur. Frequently, especially with someone who is mentally ill or elderly, victims are unable to call for assistance.
While it isn’t clear what happened in Engstrom’s case, it is nonetheless a tragic situation. If someone was supposed to be supervising due to her mental condition, the Warren Park Nursing Pavilion may be looking at severe penalties or fines.
Nursing home abuse and neglect does not only occur when a resident is slapped or hit. Various types of neglect can include failure to provide meals and medications on time or staff members not assisting when an elderly or disabled resident needs to bathe or visit the toilet. Some residents have fractures or other injuries that prevent them from getting out of bed on their own, and they need assistance as well. Abuse can be mental as well as physical, as some nursing home employees taunt residents and threaten them.
You expect your loved one to be provided for and taken care of when they enter a nursing home or elder care facility. If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it to authorities immediately. If you still get no satisfaction, contact a capable Buffalo nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer to learn about the rights of your loved one.
Brown Chiari can help you with any Buffalo personal injury attorney needs. Brown Chiari specializes in nursing home abuse, food poisoning, construction accidents and trucking accidents.
