When you finally make that hard decision to place your loved one in a nursing home, you expect the staff to provide for their needs and protect them from harm. Sadly, some nursing home staff members are negligent and often make mistakes that can hurt your loved one’s recovery. They may end up providing your loved one with food, medication, or products that contain an ingredient they’re allergic to. This may cause them to suffer an allergic reaction that may worsen their health.
If something like that happens, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the nursing home if your loved one suffered an allergic reaction due to nursing home negligence. Our skilled New York nursing home abuse attorneys at Dalli & Marino, LLP are here to guide you through the steps you can take after your loved one suffers an allergic reaction in a nursing home.
Symptoms of Allergic Reactions
Even after warning the nursing home of your loved one’s allergies, negligent staff members may improperly care for them, exposing them to allergens. An allergic reaction to an older person can cause serious harm and may even be fatal. Some of the effects of an allergic reaction to the frail include:
- Anaphylactic shock
- Difficulty breathing
- Worsening of eczema symptoms
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion and anxiety
- Deaths
A simple mistake may cause an allergic reaction that leads to hospitalization and long-term health difficulties. This is because nursing home residents often have underlying conditions that may worsen or cause death after an allergic reaction.
Steps You Can Take After an Allergic Reaction in a Nursing Home
You should act quickly and take the following steps after you learn that your loved one suffered an allergic reaction while at a nursing home:
Document All Signs of Neglect
When your loved one suffers an allergic reaction, your first step should be to seek medical treatment. After that, you should collect and document as much evidence as possible before it fades or gets tampered with. This includes taking pictures and videos, which can be compelling in demonstrating the damages your loved one suffered due to negligence.
Collect Witness Statements
Witnesses provide valuable information that can give you a clearer sense of what happened. They may also help prove your claim in a court of law. Witnesses in a nursing home may include other residents, family members, or other employees. You can collect statements from anyone who may have seen what happened to your loved one.
Obtain Nursing Home and Medical Records
You can also review your loved one’s records if you suspect they suffered an allergic reaction. These records usually show the examinations, prescriptions, meals, and treatments administered to your loved one. They can help you uncover medications, meals, or treatment plans associated with your loved one’s allergic reaction.
Report the Negligence
Depending on the situation, you can report your suspicions to an appropriate authority. If a specific staff member caused the allergic reaction, you can report the issue to their supervisor or the nursing home’s administration.
Hire a Skilled Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Proving a nursing home’s negligence after your loved one suffers an allergic reaction can be highly challenging. Hiring a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney can help file a successful negligence claim against the nursing home. A lawyer can help you collect evidence, protect your case, and walk you through the legal roadblocks of your claim.
Contact an Experienced New York Nursing Home Negligence Attorney at Dalli & Marino, LLP
Allergic reactions usually happen quickly, and the results can be tragic if there’s no one to attend to your loved one promptly. With the help of an experienced New York nursing home negligence attorney at Dalli & Marino, LLP, you can hold the nursing home accountable for negligence.
We understand that your goal was to help your loved one and not endanger them. Our attorneys are ready to work on your case and help you receive compensation for the conditions your loved one was exposed to. To learn more about how our nursing home negligence lawyers can help you get the money you need to cover your loved one’s damages, give us a call at (888) 465-8790 or contact us online today. We also speak Spanish.
