Nursing home neglect is a serious problem in the United States. Unfortunately, nursing home residents can suffer from mistreatment in several ways. Two severe forms of neglect are dehydration and malnutrition.
The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 requires nursing homes to assess the nutritional status of residents, both at the time of admission and every three months after. Based on that assessment, the facility must work to ensure that the resident maintains good nutritional health. When a facility or caregiver fails to follow this policy or otherwise acts negligently, dehydration and malnutrition can occur. This negligence can lead to a nursing home dehydration lawsuit or nursing home malnutrition lawsuit and may require an experienced nursing home lawyer to intervene.
What Are Dehydration and Malnutrition?
Dehydration is a harmful depletion of water in a person’s body. Malnutrition is a deficiency of proper nutrition caused by a lack of food, not eating enough of the right foods, or the body’s inability to use the food one does eat.
Dehydration is particularly dangerous. When a body loses more fluid than it receives, organs, including the heart, liver, and kidneys, cannot continue functioning normally. This deficit can lead to severe internal injuries or even death. While most people suffer from dehydration at some point in their lives, dehydration is especially dangerous for the elderly.
Can I File a Nursing Home Dehydration Lawsuit or Malnutrition Lawsuit?
Yes. You can bring a lawsuit for dehydration or malnutrition against a nursing home. Malnutrition and dehydration are types of nursing home neglect and abuse. And any failure to keep a nursing home patient hydrated or fed could be considered medical malpractice.
Different circumstances can lead to nursing home patient malnutrition and dehydration, including overcrowded facilities and understaffing. Both can lead to a lack of supervision and proper medical care, compromising a resident’s health. Nursing homes also regularly staff people who aren’t correctly trained in each specific resident’s needs, putting residents at risk of dehydration and malnutrition.
Care centers could prevent many instances of dehydration and malnutrition if their staff followed established protocols. This means staff must take the proper steps to ensure that their residents regularly eat, drink, and hydrate. Healthcare providers should also receive training to identify dehydration symptoms such as dry mouth, dry skin, and confusion, or—in its later stages—low blood pressure, delirium, and unconsciousness.
Federal laws mandate that nursing homes follow stringent standards to protect residents from the severe effects of dehydration and malnutrition. When a nursing home or long-term facility fails to meet federal and state standards, and that failure injures a resident, the nursing home may be held liable for all resulting damages.
Senior Justice Law Firm Can Help You
If you or a loved one even suspect you are a victim of malnutrition and dehydration, bringing a claim can prevent the nursing home facility from continuing to profit from mistreatment. Senior Justice Law Firm has helped thousands of families achieve justice for loved ones who suffered serious nursing home abuse and neglect and will fight to secure the financial compensation you deserve. To find out how our attorneys can assist you through this difficult period, please call 866-485-2039 for a free consultation.
