We Stand Up for Victims of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

New York Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

More and more people are having to move to nursing homes and assisted living facilities each year. The cost of living in a facility is high, and residents should be able to expect the highest quality of care. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are understaffed, and staff members may be untrained, overworked, and underpaid. This can lead to subpar treatment and care of residents.

Nursing home residents should never have to suffer injuries due to neglect or abuse. Even if mistreatment and injuries are unintentional, facilities should be held fully accountable for all of the losses of injury victims. Proving nursing home liability can be challenging, however, and nursing homes are ready to fight against claims. You want to have a New York City nursing home liability lawyer from Sinel & Olesen, PLLC on your side.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

You would expect that nursing home staff would be committed to providing the highest quality of care for residents. However, neglect and abuse are common issues at many different facilities in the New York City area. Nursing homes can be negligent in many different ways, including:

  • Failing to provide proper nutrition or hydration
  • Medication errors
  • Not providing treatment for medical problems
  • Inadequate shelter for residents
  • Facilities that are too hot or too cold
  • Unsanitary conditions, including not changing clothing or bedding

In addition, some nursing home residents are victims of intentional abuse by staff members or other residents. This can include physical abuse, mental abuse, and sexual abuse. Nursing home neglect and abuse often go unreported, so family members should always closely watch for any signs of injuries or other abuse-related problems.

Bedsores are a Common Injury

One common sign of nursing home neglect or abuse is bedsores. Bedsores develop when a resident is bound to a wheelchair or bed and does not have their position regularly adjusted. Bedsores are completely preventable, though they still regularly occur among the nursing home population due to the following and more:

  • Not changing bedding or clothing to keep residents dry
  • Not inspecting patients for signs of developing bedsores
  • Failing to turn residents regularly
  • Not providing cushions or pressure-relieving mattresses

When a nursing home resident develops bedsores, it is a sign that the facility is not providing adequate care. This condition can be painful and, if not properly treated, can cause infections and may even be life-threatening. It is important to contact an attorney if you or a loved one needlessly suffered from bedsores in a nursing home.

Contact Our New York City Nursing Home Liability Lawyers for Assistance

There is no excuse for subpar treatment of nursing home residents in New York. Residents pay high prices, and they should receive the care they need. At Sinel & Olesen, PLLC, our NYC nursing home liability attorneys handle claims against many different facilities on behalf of injured residents. Call (844) 512-4098 or contact us online to discuss a possible case today.

Free Case Evaluation

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call for a Free Case Evaluation

☏ 1-212-465-1000

What causes bedsores and pressure sores?

People develop bed sores when they don’t receive adequate medical attention. This results in an open wound and irritated skin patches that are caused by friction or unrelieved/prolonged pressure.

Although a bed sore can develop almost anywhere, the most common areas of the body to develop them are:

  • the backside
  • the buttocks
  • heels
  • ankles
  • hips
  • the head

Diagram showing bedsore causes

Can I sue for bedsores?

Yes. Once a family places a loved one in a nursing home, they should expect that they will not be injured due to neglect or abuse.
Bedsores are one of the most common preventable, avoidable injuries in nursing homes.

Why are some people at risk for bedsores or pressure sores?

Anyone who relies on heathcare staff to reposition them is at greater risk since failure to do this can cause bedsores to develop.

Even for elderly and immobile patients, bedsores are completely preventable if the staff uses proper precautions and ensures that residents receive adequate care.

Frequently Asked Questions

People frequently develop bed sores when they do not receive adequate medical attention. This injury results in open wounds and irritated skin patches that are caused by friction, unrelieved pressure, or when prolonged pressure is placed on the skin. Although a bed sore can develop almost anywhere, the most common areas of the body prone to develop the wounds include the backside and buttocks as well as bony areas such as heels, ankles, hips and head.

Absolutely. Once a family has made the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, they have a right to expect that their loved one will not be injured as a result of neglect or abuse. In fact, bedsores are one of the most common preventable, avoidable injuries in nursing homes.

Aside from bed sores, the elderly are also at risk for associated complications like:
• Inadequate wound care leading to infections
• Dehydration, malnutrition, and failure to provide sufficient quantities of food
• Over or improper medication
• Lack of supervision due to their immobility from bedsores, leading to falls
• Poor hygiene

Elderly and immobile patients rely on heath care staff at nursing homes and hospitals to reposition them at least every two hours and provide a level of care that meets required standards in New York. Failure to do this often causes bedsores to develop. In almost every case, bed sores are completely preventable if the health care staff implements the proper precautions and ensures that the resident receives adequate care.