Nursing home abuse and neglect seems to be one area that continues to get worse. While it is a hot topic, very little seems to be done about it. Recently, an 89 year old Iowa resident died after complications arose due to a fractured ankle. New York nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers know all too well how seemingly simple injuries can turn quickly in to a tragedy.
Friendship Manor, a Grinnell nursing home, was fined more than $101,000 by Federal officials after Ruth Louden lost her leg to gangrene. A few weeks later, she died. Louden had fractured an ankle in 2008 and entered the facility for what she thought would be a brief stay for physical therapy. Four weeks later, her leg had to be amputated. During those four weeks, Louden had complained to nursing home staff about the severe pain in her leg, but apparently nothing was done. She died three months later.
The owner of Friendship Manor, Tim Boyle, appealed the $101,000 penalty and recently paid $75,000 to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, after agreeing to settle the case. Unfortunately, scenarios like this happen all too often.
When you place an elderly family member in a nursing home facility, you expect them to be treated with respect and dignity. You also expect that they will be given medications on time, provided nutritious meals, and taken care of. While this should be expected, often this is not the case. Many nursing homes are severely understaffed, and residents do not get the proper care and attention they deserve.
In reality, nursing home abuse and neglect takes place on a daily basis across the country. Individuals place their elderly loved ones in a care facility, believing they can trust them. These facilities are supposed to provide a safe haven in which a loved one will receive excellent health care in a relaxed home environment, but this is frequently not the case. Residents and patients may be neglected in several areas, including hygiene and nutrition.
It seems that speaking with nursing home authorities would remedy any problems, but often no action is taken. Unfortunately, our elderly loved ones suffer declining health, injuries and even worse. If you suspect that your loved one is being neglected or abused, contact a reputable and aggressive New York nursing home abuse and neglect attorney at once. Your loved one deserves justice.
