Nursing homes are where many older adults reside when they cannot live independently. When their support needs exceed what their loved ones can provide, arranging for professional care is a rational solution.
Unfortunately, not everyone living in a nursing home receives the care and assistance they require. In some cases, older adults die prematurely in nursing homes due to negligence or inappropriate care standards.
Families may need to consult with another medical professional to establish that deviations from current standards of care occurred if they hope to take legal action after a tragedy.
What are standards of care?
The standard of care for a particular area of medical practice establishes current best practices. In the nursing home realm, standards of care include routine testing of residents for fall risk and cognitive decline. Standards of care also require appropriate support to prevent falls, elopement and bedsores.
When surviving family members believe that a nursing home failed to meet the standards maintained by the long-term care industry, they may potentially have grounds to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Typically, the insight of a licensed medical professional can help.
Another medical professional can review records and validate that the care provided to a vulnerable older adult did not conform to the current standard of care. In such scenarios, families may be able to convince the courts that facility negligence is ultimately what caused the death of an older adult.
Connecting the standard of care at a long-term care facility to the cause of a family member’s death could help support wrongful death litigation. Families may need help evaluating the nursing home negligence that their loved ones experienced with a skilled legal team to determine if the situation warrants a lawsuit.