Nursing Home Neglect Blog

Legal News & Updates Blawg regarding issues surrounding the quality of nursing home care and elder abuse. >> REQUEST A FREE CLAIM EVALUATION

Recent posts by the nursing home lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. regarding legal issues surrounding elder care and nursing home rights.

Nursing Home Arbitration Clauses may be Invalidated

Legislation has been proposed in Congress to invalidated nursing home arbitration clauses that appear in many admission contracts. The provisions take away the resident’s ability to file a lawsuit in court as a result of nursing home neglect or abuse, removing their access to the courts and often hindering their ability to investigate a case by limiting discovery. In addition, the clauses allow facilities to avoid the public accountability of a nursing home lawsuit, which could increase the growing problem of poor care that is provided at many facilities.

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Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) sponsored a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2008 to increase recognition of this global problem and raise awareness of the factors that can lead to or limit abuse of seniors. The rapid aging of the population in the United States raises concerns about the stress which will continue to be placed on nursing homes and elder care systems, which could increase the risk of abuse or negligent care.

>>INFORMATION: Elder Abuse and Neglect Injuries

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Two Maryland Nursing Homes on list of worst facilities

An article in the Baltimore Sun highlighted several examples of bad care which landed two Maryland nursing homes on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ most recent list of the worst nursing homes in the country. The homes were designated “Special Focus Facilities” because of inspections which have revealed serious violations of nursing home regulations and patterns of poor care that has not been corrected over a prolonged period of time.

>>PRIOR POST (4/27/2008): Resources to identify poor performing nursing homes

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Inspectors under report problems that could lead to nursing home neglect or abuse

According to a report issued this week by Congressional investigators from the Government Accountability Office, state inspectors often overlook or minimize nursing home problems, including cases of neglect and abuse. Problems which pose a threat to residents’ health, such as malnutrition, bedsores, over-medication and nursing home abuse, are missed in about 15% of all state inspections which were checked by federal officials.

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Mother’s day campaign for better care at ManorCare Nursing Homes

On Sunday, when families throughout the United States went to visit their mother’s in ManorCare nursing homes for Mother’s Day, they were greeted with a carnation and information calling them to take action to help improve the quality of nursing home care. ManorCare, which was recently purchased by a private equity fund, has failed to fulfill promises made last year to provide quality care and has seen sharp increases in the number of care deficiencies at many of their homes.

>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

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Federal nursing home information site to include identification of worst performing facilities

The federal government has now made it easier for families to identify some of the worst nursing homes in American while they are researching which facility should be trusted to care for their loved one. Last year, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) compiled a list of the worst performing nursing homes in the United States, based on inspection results. This nursing home information will now be integrated into a searchable database on a federal website.

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Nursing home abuse at the hands of residents who are prior sex offenders

NBC’s Today Show featured a report last week about a disturbing reality in many nursing homes. Sexual offenders and other elderly residents are often placed together in nursing homes, with no additional monitoring, warning or separation to help reduce the risk of abuse. The Today Show highlighted the story of an elderly woman who was raped in a nursing home by a man with a long record of sexual abuse.

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Nursing home restraints could create more problems than they solve.

The use of nursing home restraints is a common practice at many nursing homes throughout the United States. However, some facilities excessively use restraining devices not only to prevent residents from injuring themselves, but also as a form of punishment or as a matter of convenience. Due to concerns about the physical and emotional injuries which can be caused by nursing home restraints, the use has declined 40% in recent years, and many believe it should drop even further with better methods being implemented to protect residents.

>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Restraint Injuries

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Nursing home falls pose substantial risk of injury

According to U.S. health officials, about a third of all falls involving seniors result in an injury, and many of these injuries can have a devastating long term impact on their quality of life. In nursing homes, falls can often be prevented if proper precautions are taken.

>>INFORMATION: Nursing home falls

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Elder abuse at the hands of nurse’s aid

In another disturbing display of elder abuse, a Michigan nurse’s aid has been arrested on charges of urinating in a female patient’s hair and pouring liquid soap on her husband’s head. The abuse occurred at the couple’s Muskegon, Michigan home, and the aid currently faces criminal charges which could result in up to 15 years in prison.

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Additional Information and Lawsuit Resources

MRI Lawsuit
MRI Contrast Lawsuits

Gadolinium contrast used during MRI and MRA could cause Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) among those with kidney problems.

More MRI Lawsuit Info

Chantix Lawsuits
Denture Cream Problems

Fixodent lawsuits and Super PoliGrip lawsuits are being filed for denture wearers who suffered zinc poisoning, neuopathy and other injuries.

Denture Cream Lawsuit Info

Yamaha Rhino Rollover Lawsuits
DePuy ASR Hip Replacement

The DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant has been associated with a higher-than-expected rate of hip failures and other painful hip problems.

More DePuy ASR Hip Lawyer Info

Yasmin and Yaz problems
Yasmin and Yaz Side Effects

The popular birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to an increased risk of serious and potentially life-threatening injuries that were not adequately warned about.

More Yaz Lawsuit and Yasmin lawsuit Info