Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit
Written by Faith Anderson on December 3, 2012
Nursing Home Ordered to Pay Compensatory Damages
Following the trial in Florida, the jury ordered the nursing home – now called Oasis Health and Rehabilitation Center – to pay Dahmer’s widow $1.8 million in compensatory damages for the death of her husband. The nursing home’s management company has commented that it believes the ruling is unfair and indicated that the firm may ultimately appeal the decision. The management company claims that Dahmer had numerous health problems and had been seen by many doctors and stayed in several different nursing homes before his death in 2008.
Common Causes of Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Also known as decubitus ulcers or pressure sores, bedsores typically develop in nursing home residents due to a lack of blood flow to a particular area of the body, caused by prolonged pressure. In most cases, bedsores develop when a patient is allowed to remain in one position for a long period of time without being moved or adjusted. They are most commonly found in the heels, tailbone and elbows, where there are prominent bones covered by only thin layers of skin. According to the claim, in addition to debilitating bedsores and dramatic weight loss, Dahmer also lost the ability to talk and walk once he became a patient at the Lake Worth nursing home.
Contact a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney
Bedsores are a serious medical complication, especially for nursing home residents with limited mobility. For example, residents who have difficulty moving or are unable to move independently face the greatest risk of pressure ulcers, which can be extremely painful and may even be life-threatening. Most medical experts agree that the development of bedsores can be prevented and can be treated if detected promptly with proper diligence on the part of medical staff. Failure to avoid, identify and treat bedsores unfortunately, can lead to potentially deadly infections that enter the bloodstream, known as sepsis. If you have a loved one who has suffered from bedsores or another symptom of neglect in a nursing home, our consumer advocates at the Consumer Justice Foundation can help put you in touch with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in your area.