Elder Abuse Lawyers

Falls

Falls are one of the most common forms of elder abuse, with potentially devastating consequences. As our loved ones age, their fall vulnerability increases due to factors like mobility issues, chronic conditions, and environmental hazards. Unfortunately, negligence and maltreatment in care settings can exacerbate this risk, turning what should be safe havens into places of danger.

The impact of falls on the elderly can be profound, including:

• Physical injuries, such as fractures, cuts, and head injuries, which may require extensive medical treatment.
• Psychological effects, including depression and anxiety, often stemming from fear of further falls and loss of independence.
• Financial challenges, arising from medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and potential long-term care needs.

Bed Sores

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are injuries to skin and underlying tissues resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. They can develop quickly, are often painful, and can lead to serious infections.

Bed sores are categorized into four stages, reflecting severity:

• Stage I: Reddened area on the skin that, when pressed, does not turn white.
• Stage II: Involves the skin breaking open, wearing away, or forming an ulcer.
• Stage III: The sore expands into the tissue beneath the skin, forming a small crater.
• Stage IV: The pressure ulcer has become so deep that there is damage to muscle and bone, and sometimes tendons and joints.

Bed sores typically occur on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone.

Infections

Infections are a common and serious problem in elder care facilities. Due to their weakened immune systems, the elderly are particularly susceptible to infections, which should be preventable with proper care and hygiene practices. Neglect, whether from inadequate staffing, poor hygiene practices, or failure to administer medication properly, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal infections.

Common infections in these settings include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Often caused by poor catheter care.
• Respiratory infections: Due to neglect in personal hygiene or unclean environments.
• Skin infections: Can develop from poor wound care or unsanitary conditions.
• Gastrointestinal infections: Result from improper food handling or hygiene practices.
• Influenza and pneumonia: Particularly dangerous for the elderly and can be prevented with proper care.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death in elder care can occur when negligence, abuse, or a failure to meet the standard of care leads to the death of an elderly person. These cases are profoundly distressing for families and highlight serious failings in care facilities’ duty to protect their residents.

• Neglect: Failure to provide necessary care, leading to conditions like severe dehydration, malnutrition, or untreated health issues.
• Medical malpractice: Errors in medication administration, inadequate medical treatment, or misdiagnosis.
• Abuse: Physical or emotional abuse that exacerbates health conditions leading to death.
• Falls: Injuries from falls that are not properly treated or prevented.
• Infections: Especially those that could have been prevented with proper care.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition in elder care facilities often results from neglect, inadequate staffing, or a lack of individualized care plans. This form of neglect can severely impact the health and well-being of elderly residents, making it crucial for legal intervention.

Common causes of malnutrition in assisted living and nursing homes include:

• Inadequate staffing: Insufficient staff to adequately feed or monitor residents.
• Poor diet planning: Lack of personalized dietary plans to meet the nutritional needs of each resident.
• Medical issues: Undiagnosed or untreated conditions that affect appetite and nutrient absorption.
• Neglect: Direct failure to provide necessary food and fluid intake.

Understaffing

Understaffing occurs when there are insufficient staff members to care for the number of residents in a facility adequately. This can lead to various neglectful situations, including delayed responses to resident needs, inadequate monitoring, and overall poor quality of care.

Common causes of understaffing include:

• Economic factors: Facilities may reduce staffing to cut costs.
• Management decisions: Poor planning and management can lead to inadequate staffing levels.
• High turnover rates: The demanding nature of the job and low compensation lead to frequent staff turnover.

Dehydration

Dehydration in elderly care facilities is a serious health issue that can lead to severe complications and even death. Dehydration occurs when an individual does not take in enough fluid to replace what is lost throughout the day. In care settings, this condition is often the result of elder abuse and can be prevented with proper attention and protocols.

Causes of dehydration include:

• Inadequate staffing: Not enough staff to ensure that all residents are receiving sufficient fluids throughout the day.
• Lack of individual care plans: Failure to tailor hydration needs to each resident’s specific health requirements.
• Physical inability: Some residents may need help drinking and can become dehydrated if help is not available.
• Medications and medical conditions: Certain medications and conditions can increase the risk of dehydration.

Medication Errors

Medication errors involve any preventable event that leads to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. In elder care settings, these errors are often due to systemic issues like understaffing, inadequate training, or poor management.

Common types of medication errors can include:

• Wrong medication: Administering a different medication than prescribed.
• Incorrect dosage: Providing too little or too much of the correct medication.
• Improper timing: Administering medication at the wrong time or missing doses.
• Failure to consider interactions: Not considering other medications or health conditions that could lead to adverse effects.