When you trust a nursing home with your care or the wellbeing of a loved one, you expect them to perform their duties carefully and diligently. When a nursing home fails to provide adequate care, residents can suffer tragic consequences. Washington nursing homes must be held accountable for injuries or death caused by their negligence or abuse.

At Hagens Berman, we are passionate about protecting the rights of non-abled bodied individuals, vulnerable adults and elderly Seattle citizens. Our team of Seattle nursing home negligence lawyers has seen the devastating impact that nursing home negligence can have on victims of abuse and their families. We will advocate for your right to fair compensation when a nursing home’s negligence causes physical and financial injury.

COMMON TYPES OF NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE IN WASHINGTON

Nursing home negligence occurs when a nursing home fails to meet a resident’s basic needs. Unfortunately, this is a daily occurrence in Washington. As a result, victims become gravely ill, are severely injured or lose their lives. Some of the most common forms of nursing home negligence include:

  • Falls: Nursing homes have a duty to implement safety measures that prevent falls. When an elderly person falls, victims commonly suffer fractures, contusions or other serious injuries.
  • Choking: Many nursing home residents have difficulty swallowing while eating.  Without adequate help and supervision from nursing home staff, choking accidents can occur.
  • Malnutrition: Residents’ weight and other vital health indicators must be regularly monitored to confirm that they’re properly nourished. Without adequate nutrition, residents can fall ill or become dangerously frail.
  • Dehydration: Proper hydration is essential to the wellbeing of senior citizens. Dehydration can contribute to several detrimental health conditions. Nursing homes have a duty to monitor their residents’ hydration.
  • Wandering and Abandonment: When a nursing home cares for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is essential to have safety plans and checkpoints in place to ensure they do not wander off the premises. When proper plans are not in place or carefully followed, residents can easily step into harm’s way.
  • Medication Errors: As per the American Geriatric Society, up to 27% of all nursing home residents have been victims of medication errors. Understaffing, confusion and misdiagnosis all contribute to such errors. The most common medication errors involve giving the wrong medication, the wrong dose or administering it incorrectly. Medication errors can cause a variety of adverse reactions or even fatalities.  
  • Negligent Hiring: Nursing home negligence might also include improper screening or hiring practices. Poorly chosen staff can result in emotional, physical or sexual abuse or financial exploitation by staff members. Background checks are critical to the health and safety of residents.
  • Physical Abuse: Physical abuse of nursing home residents may appear as unexplained injuries, bruising, restraint injuries or behavioral changes.
  • Mental/Emotional Abuse: Mental abuse may appear as unexplained agitation, withdrawal, unusual behavior, unexpected nervousness and fear.
  • Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse of elderly and vulnerable adults may manifest as bruising around breasts or genitalia, unexplained infection, bleeding or torn clothing.
  • Other Forms of Neglect: These other forms of neglect may surface: unclean living conditions, poor overall health, poor personal hygiene, unsafe living spaces.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE?

Recognizing and reporting nursing home negligence is critical. If left unchecked, abuse can run rampant, and lives can be destroyed. Here are a few signs of nursing home negligence:

  • Confusion and disorientation from medication.
  • Difficulty walking because of the lack of assistance or exercise.
  • Dehydration or malnourishment.
  • Bed sores from remaining in a stationary position.
  • Poor personal hygiene due to inadequate care, toileting and bathing.
  • Unexplained bruises, cuts or fractures from possible physical abuse
  • Bruising around the genital area or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.
  • Sudden changes in finances or estate plans.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE IN SEATTLE

It is important for residents and family members of residents to know what to do when they suspect nursing home negligence in the Seattle area.

  1. First, evidence should be collected. This can be documented through resident testimony, photos of injuries or video documentation of odd behavior.
  2. Next, suspected negligent behavior should be reported to the home’s administration and local authorities, especially if there is an immediate threat.
  3. After those reports have been filed, contact a Seattle nursing home negligence lawyer. Hagens Berman offers free initial case consultations to nursing home residents and their families. After carefully listening to the details of your case, we will provide you with an overview of your legal options.

CONTACT A SEATTLE NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE LAWYER TODAY

When a nursing home resident becomes a victim of negligence, they are legally owed financial compensation for their damages. These damages can include injuries, pain and suffering and loss of property.

Our team of Seattle nursing home negligence lawyers at Hagens Berman works tirelessly on behalf of nursing home negligence victims and their families from the time that we’re retained until the time that the case is concluded. 

It’s always our objective to obtain the maximum compensation available for our clients. Don’t delay if you suspect possible nursing home negligence.