Nursing home abuse
Nursing Home Dehydration Lawsuit
Nursing home dehydration is a serious and dangerous condition that can happen when nursing home staff fail to provide proper care. If you or a loved one has suffered from this neglect, read more to learn how our lawyers can help you file a nursing home dehydration lawsuit.
What is Nursing Home Dehydration
Nursing home dehydration happens when residents do not drink enough water over an extended period of time. It occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in because of neglect or poor care. Symptoms of dehydration1 include:
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dry and/or sunken skin
- Muscle cramps
- Dark urine and constipation
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Elevated heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Swelling
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Damage to organs
- Changes in mental clarity
Dehydration can also put nursing home residents at risk of additional health complications, which could include heatstroke, kidney issues, coma, or death. Victims of dehydration often require immediate medical attention and close supervision to rehydrate patients and improve their condition.
Factors That Contribute to Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Sadly, nursing home residents are vulnerable to neglect and abuse, which can lead to dehydration. This problem can happen for many reasons.
Nursing homes may have staff shortages, causing residents to be overlooked and not receive the care they need. Staff shortages can also lead to poor communication about a resident’s care. Miscommunication between staff and residents can also make it harder to provide enough fluids.
Poor staff training can also cause problems if signs of dehydration are missed or not treated quickly. A lack of knowledge about medication side effects can make the issue worse. Some residents may have health conditions that make it difficult to show they are thirsty or not drinking enough.
Loved ones should watch for changes in a resident’s condition, report concerns quickly, and make sure the resident receives medical care.
Legal Rights for Victims of Nursing Home Dehydration
As a nursing home resident, you have the right to quality care and proper hydration. If you or your loved one is denied water or proper care, you may have the right to take legal action against the nursing home facility and its staff. Whether dehydration is caused by neglect, poor monitoring by medical staff, or someone intentionally keeping water from you, those responsible can be held accountable.
A complaint against a health care facility can be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Health1 for violations of Pennsylvania nursing home regulations2 and federal regulations3. This step helps ensure your case receives a fair review and helps prevent nursing homes from causing harm to other residents through poor care.
You also have the right to hire a lawyer to represent you or your loved one. These cases can be complex and involve many laws and responsible parties that require the knowledge of a skilled attorney. They can protect your rights and help you seek a fair outcome.
Evidence You Need for a Lawsuit
When filing a nursing home dehydration lawsuit, you need evidence to support your claim and show how the nursing home caused your condition. Our attorneys can help gather evidence and speak with doctors and medical experts who can explain your or your loved one’s condition. Expert statements, witness statements, medical records, nursing home notes, health department inspection records, and more can help prove negligence.
How to Hold Negligent Parties Accountable
To hold nursing home staff and facilities accountable, you must demonstrate their negligent actions and how they contributed to your or your loved one’s condition. With the evidence gathered in your case, your lawyer can craft a sound case that can demonstrate the level of care the nursing home facility was supposed to provide and how it failed to ensure that you received the necessary water intake to stay properly hydrated. Your lawyer provides concrete evidence and shows whether the actions were negligent or malicious.
After setting the foundation of your legal argument, your lawyer can then link the nursing home facility’s action to the cause of the dehydration. When this is thoroughly established, your lawyer can hold them liable for paying for your damages.
Compensation That Can Be Recovered in a Lawsuit
You may be able to recover compensation for the losses you or your loved one suffered due to neglect or abuse. A settlement may help pay for medical expenses, hospital stays, medications, and future costs related to the lasting effects of dehydration. It may also cover funeral and burial expenses if your loved one died due to dehydration.
A settlement may also cover pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and emotional distress caused by nursing home dehydration. These damages can help prevent you from paying out of pocket for harm caused by someone else. However, it is important to remember the two-year statute of limitations4 and file a claim before the deadline expires.
Lopez McHugh Aggressively Fights for Justice for You and Your Loved One
Lopez McHugh takes swift action to help you or your loved one receive the medical care needed after nursing home dehydration. You have the right to quality care, and when nursing home staff fail to provide it, our team fights to protect you. We protect your rights, help you seek compensation, and pursue justice so you can move forward. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys.
Sources:
1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration
2 https://apps.health.pa.gov/dohforms/FacilityComplaint.aspx
3 https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/facilities/in-patient-healthcare-facilities/nursing-homes/regulations
4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483
