New York Nursing Home Infection Lawyers
Infections among nursing home residents are unfortunately prevalent among some of the most vulnerable of our society. People reside in nursing homes because they are unable to care for themselves, putting them at the mercy of whoever is hired by the company. Over two million cases of infectious diseases occur each year in nursing homes.
Oftentimes infections are caused by poor hygiene, a form of neglect under the law. They can spread quickly in facilities and even cause death.
Common Infections that Spread in New York Nursing Homes
Some common infections the spread through nursing homes are:
- Norovirus
- COVID-19
- Respiratory Infections
- UTIs
- Soft-tissue infections
- Skin infections
- Influenza
- Sepsis
- Coli
- Scabies or bed bugs
- MRSA
How Does Sickness Spread in Nursing Homes?
As stated previously, one of the main causes of infectious diseases in nursing homes is a lack of or poor hygiene, which is actually its own form of elder abuse.
Poor hygiene can be caused for a number of reasons, including poor training, understaffing, and the general indifference on the part of the staff. Examples of poor hygiene range from:
- Diaper changes
- Assistance going to the restroom
- Changing bandages
- Changing clothes
- Brushing teeth
- Cleaning rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas regularly
Infections can also be spread from person to person through contact. When staff is going from person to person to help them, they are at risk of transferring infectious diseases. The easiest fix is to wash hands in between dealing with patients, but when understaffed, sometimes this easy step is overlooked.
What a Nursing Home Should Do If Someone Is Sick
They are obligated to both isolate the resident and provide medical care in a timely fashion.
If they fail to separate the resident from the rest of the community, infections can spread rapidly. Lack of, or improper, isolation can lead to a lawsuit
The second action nursing homes must take to provide medical care in a timely manner. In situations where family members request medical attention for the resident, and it’s not provided or is provided by a doctor who does a cursory examination, and nothing more which results in an issue down the line, a claim may be created. Nursing homes have the responsibility to give their residents the medical attention they need as soon as possible.
What Type of Compensation Is Available for Nursing Home Infections?
Nursing homes receive monetary compensation through Medicare and other government agencies; the same monetary compensation is available to those who have been wronged, along with their families.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer About Nursing Home Infections?
If you believe that the nursing home failed to take adequate action, then contact a lawyer. Before you do, document everything that was said and done and any correspondence between you and the nursing home.
When you speak to a lawyer, make sure you inform them of all steps that you took on your side to protect your loved one. Dalli & Marino, LLP has been protecting the people of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut since 1996. Besides our dedicated staff who works diligently on each and every case that walks through our doors, we also have the respect of our peers. Contact us today at (888) 465-8790 or fill out our contact form.
