When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you expect them to receive safe, respectful, and attentive care. Unfortunately, that is not always what happens. Nursing home negligence can lead to serious injuries and declining health, and families are often left wondering what went wrong.
Understanding what constitutes negligence can help you recognize warning signs and act quickly.
Nursing home negligence occurs when a facility or its staff fails to provide an acceptable level of care, causing harm to a resident.
This is more than just poor service. It means the nursing home did not meet its legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of its residents.
Negligence is often caused by understaffing, lack of training, or poor supervision.
Residents who need assistance should never be left alone when they are at risk of falling.
Example: A resident tries to get out of bed without help and falls because staff did not respond to a call light.
Bedsores are usually preventable with proper care and repositioning.
Example: A resident is left in one position for too long and develops painful sores that become infected.
Giving the wrong medication or the wrong dosage can cause serious harm.
Example: A resident receives another person’s medication or misses an important dose.
Residents should be kept clean and comfortable at all times.
Example: A resident is left in soiled clothing or bedding for hours.
Staff must ensure residents are eating and drinking enough.
Example: A resident loses weight because no one helps them during meals.
Some residents need close monitoring due to memory loss or mobility issues.
Example: A resident with dementia wanders away from the facility and is injured.
Delays in care can make health problems worse.
Example: Staff ignore signs of infection or fail to call a doctor when symptoms appear.
Restraints should only be used when medically necessary and legally allowed.
Example: A resident is restrained for staff convenience instead of safety.
Neglect can affect mental health as well as physical health.
Example: A resident is regularly ignored and becomes withdrawn or depressed.
Nursing homes must protect residents from harm caused by others.
Example: Staff ignore reports of aggressive behavior, and a resident is injured.
Watch for these warning signs:
If something does not feel right, it is worth taking a closer look.
If you believe your loved one is being neglected:
Nursing home negligence cases can be overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with the emotional stress of a loved one’s condition.
At Martin Law Office, we help Wisconsin families hold negligent nursing homes accountable while providing compassionate support every step of the way.
Call 414-856-4010 or visit martin-law-office.com for a free and confidential consultation.
No fee unless you win.
