Nursing home neglect has become a serious problem in the United States—indeed, a growing number of families of elders are choosing to file nursing home lawsuits after they discover that their loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect.

Tragically, millions of Americans over the age of 60 are neglected or otherwise abused at nursing home and other facilities. Given that a huge amount of elder abuse cases never get reported to the authorities, the exact numbers aren’t known.

If someone you love has suffered from neglect at a nursing home facility, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Contacting a nursing home neglect lawyer can help you collect the information you need to effectively proceed with litigation.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

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.

For instance, a nursing home fall injury could indicate that a facility is not giving adequate care. Other injuries caused by nursing home neglect can often include bed sores, pressure sores, fractures, malnutrition, dehydration, and frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Woman Files Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit After Mother’s Death

In one recent case, an Arkansas woman filed a lawsuit after her mother’s death at a nursing home facility, alleging it was caused by nursing home neglect.

According to plaintiff Sharon J.’s lawsuit, Maxine J. resided at Pine Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center, a nursing home in Arkansas, from November 8, 2016 to June 14, 2017. Sharon says Maxine’s medical condition required specific care, which the nursing home claimed they could adequately provide for her, the lawsuit claims. However, Sharon alleges, Maxine was severely neglected during her time at the nursing home facility.

According to the lawsuit, Maxine suffered rapid deterioration of her health. In the time she was there (which was less than one year) Maxine suffered from bed sores and skin breakdown, malnutrition and weight loss, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, poor hygiene, severe pain, and—ultimately—her death.

The nursing home lawsuit alleges that the nursing home facility maximized its profits by reducing staffing to a negligent level, meaning that its residents were not adequately cared for.

Indeed, Sharon claims the facility “knowingly established staffing levels that created recklessly high nurse/resident ratios and disregarded patient acuity levels as well as the minimal time required to perform essential functions.” Ultimately, Sharon claims, this led to Maxine’s suffering, injuries, and eventually untimely death.

The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including negligence, medical malpractice, breach of the admission agreement, deceptive trade practices, and others. The nursing home neglect lawsuit was filed on July 20, 2018, in the Circuit Court of Ouachita County, Arkansas.

Contacting a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

If you believe someone you love has been harmed through negligence at a nursing home, you may be able to file a nursing home neglect lawsuit. It can be difficult to figure out what to do in response to these serious issues, and consulting a nursing home neglect lawyer can help.

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

The Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-01047-SOH, in the Circuit Court of Ouachita County, Arkansas, 6 Division.