Nursing Home Resident Overdoses On Cocaine

Not all nursing home residents are as old as we’d expect. Various life circumstances can lead a younger person to require around-the-clock care. In fact, the number of young people residing in nursing homes has increased in recent years. Young people ages 31 to 64 now make up over 14 percent of the nursing home population, up from 10 percent just 10 years ago. It’s no longer unusual to find a nursing home resident decades younger than their neighbor. About one in seven nursing home facility residents is under 65. But the changes in the makeup of nursing home populations across the country have impacted the type of care residents need, and the growing phenomenon presents a host of challenges for nursing homes, including that of negligent supervision.

For example, a Louisiana nursing home resident recently died in a facility; an autopsy determined his untimely death was the result of a cocaine overdose. A West Baton Rouge doctor found the amount of cocaine in Darold McCray’s system killed him within 15 to 30 minutes of him using it. The deceased’s family has no idea how he managed to get the cocaine – much less overdose on it – considering the level of care and supervision he required.

Negligent Supervision

A nursing home, convalescent home, rest home, or elder care facility can be held legally responsible when an act of negligence, neglect, or abuse at the facility ends up causing harm to a patient or resident. Statistics from federal and state authorities show almost one-third of nursing homes have been issued citations for infractions and violations. Additionally, most civil lawsuits against nursing homes settle via agreements including confidentiality clauses keeping potentially damaging information about the facility out of public view. And, despite renewed calls for action to improve nursing home safety, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found many cases of abuse or neglect severe enough to require medical attention were not reported to enforcement agencies, even though it is legally required.

When nursing home residents are not properly supervised, especially those who require around-the-clock care, injuries often result, including slip and fall accidents. If a nursing home’s negligent supervision of its residents causes injuries or even death to a resident, the facility can and should be held liable.

Pennsylvania Nursing Home Lawyers

Lopez McHugh handles nursing home abuse lawsuits for individuals, families, and loved ones who have been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of the carelessness or negligent supervision of a medical provider in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and its surrounding areas. If someone you care about has been hurt, we can help. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation for any nursing home case.