Many of our elderly and most vulnerable citizens and loved ones are being cared for nursing homes, but an ever-increasing number are experiencing serious nursing home abuse that may lead to injury or, in some cases, death. Family members of those affected by nursing home abuse may be able to pursue litigation.

One recent nursing home abuse was filed after a 93-year-old Georgia woman, Rebecca Z., suffered from a severe scabies rash in 2015, leading to her death.

According to the lawsuit filed by the woman’s surviving family, the Shepherds Hills nursing home in Lafayette, Ga. neglected her health so badly that she developed scabies. Untreated, scabies (essentially an infestation of tiny mites) spread and worsened, ultimately killing her.

“This is one of the most horrendous things I’ve ever seen in my career as a forensic pathologist,” said Dr. Kris Sperry in an interview with 11Alive after the autopsy report came in.

Over the years, Shepherds Hills nursing home has been inspected and found to have committed several health violations. Between 2014 and 2016, inspectors reported finding nearly three dozen violations, including medication errors, failure to maintain equipment, and issues that put residents in “immediate jeopardy.”

Rebecca’s family turned to litigation, filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit on her behalf.

Nursing Home Abuse

This is not the first lawsuit to be filed over nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing home abuse and neglect has become a serious problem in the United States. A growing number of families of elders are choosing to file lawsuits after they discover that their loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.

Millions of Americans over the age of 60 are neglected or otherwise abused. Given that a huge amount of elder abuse cases never get reported to the authorities, the exact numbers aren’t known.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

One of the most prominent signs of nursing home neglect is declining health or physical suffering. This is because elder neglect can often lead to physical injuries or medical issues when they are not properly and consistently cared for. Injuries caused by nursing home abuse can often include bed sores, pressure sores, fractures from falling, malnutrition, dehydration, and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit

If you believe someone you love has been harmed by nursing home abuse or negligence, you may be able to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit. It can be difficult to figure out what to do in response to nursing home abuse and neglect, and consulting a lawyer with experience in this area can help.

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by nursing home abuse, or bring a loved one back to life, it can help to alleviate the burden caused by medical expenses.