Lawsuit: Man develops serious bed sores as a result of negligence

 Posted on April 03,2014 in Firm News

Placing a loved one in a nursing home facility is not always an easy decision to make. Families often try to care for an elderly parent or relative on their own, but eventually it may be necessary to move that person into a facility that can meet the physical, emotional and medical needs of vulnerable patients.

However, there are too many facilities that are poorly run. Negligent hiring practices, inadequate training and poor oversight of daily operations have all been reported at nursing homes across Illinois. Facilities can put patients in danger by subjecting them to abuse or negligence, despite giving family members assurances that a loved one will be taken care of. When and if this happens, it can be crucial for family members to take legal action to protect their loved one.

This was the route one man took after his father developed serious infections as a result of nursing home negligence.

Reports indicate that the elderly man was neglected for nearly seven months while he was in an Illinois nursing home. During that time, he developed bed sores as a result of not being properly moved and cared for by staff members. The man was transferred to a hospital where the true extent of the nursing home's negligence was discovered.

The man had bed sores all over the left half of his body from the waist down. His coccyx was infected due to the ulcers and it had to be removed. The man also had acute kidney disease and a urinary tract infection, in addition to being malnourished and dehydrated. These are common signs of neglect, as they can generally all be prevented by receiving adequate care. The man's son took action against the negligent nursing home citing these damages and is seeking compensation of at least $350,000.

In many cases of nursing home abuse or negligence, victims are either unable or unwilling to report the mistreatment themselves. It may be up to their family members to act on their behalf. Filing a lawsuit against a negligent nursing home or assisted living facility can be an effective way of holding them accountable for their inadequate care and reckless disregard for the health of patients.

Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, "Granite City nursing home blamed for causing man's severe infection," March 31, 2014