If you believe a loved one is being abused at a nursing home, contact our nationally respected attorneys at the Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates. Our Boston nursing home abuse attorneys will make sure that you receive the money damages available to you. Please call 617-787-3700, 24/7, or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com today for your free and confidential consultation.
Nursing homes should be just that, a “home.” They should be places where family members send their loved ones to be cared for and nurtured by skilled professionals. The sad reality, however, is that all too often, nursing homes and elder care facilities are centers for mistreatment, neglect, and abuse. Not all such mistreatment, however, is physical, and one of the most common forms may be neglect. Patients may be given improper or insufficient medication, improperly fed, left unattended for hours or simply forgotten. Reports suggest that the increasing efforts of for-profit nursing homes to cut costs may only increase this trend of neglect. In order to maximize profits, many for-profit nursing homes understaff and undertrain their employees.
Understaffing may have been the cause of one resident’s death at the Texas nursing home named the Prairie House Living Center. Sixty-five-year-old Frances Chiddix had a stroke and suffered from dementia, making it difficult for her to live on her own. Her family enrolled her at the Prairie House Living Center to supervise and watch over her day-to-day activities. One particular concern was that due to her stroke, Chiddix had difficulty with chewing and swallowing, requiring assistance and supervision when eating. Unfortunately, while chewing on a piece of brisket, she reportedly began to choke and no staff intervened in time, causing her to choke to death.
After her death, Chiddix’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Prairie House Living Center. The lawsuit also alleged negligence on the part of the nursing home staff, including lack of supervision of Ms. Chiddix while she ate. The facility reportedly claimed that they had issues with staffing, but that did not excuse them from liability for failing to supervise one of their residents. A $700,000 settlement was ultimately approved for actual damages for physical injuries and sickness.
Despite the circumstances, neglect is still a form of abuse and is a crime. If you believe a family member has been a victim of nursing home abuse, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for their pain and suffering. Call us 24/7 at 617-787-3700 or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com for your free and private consultation. Your needs are our top priority!
