On January 8, 2019 the BBC News had the following headline: “US nursing home chief resigns after vegetative patient gives birth”. The article tells of how the chief executive of the corporation in charge of an Arizona nursing home resigned amid reports of a woman in a vegetative state for over a decade having given birth. The woman had been in a healthcare facility that provides care for “medically fragile and chronically ill infants, children, teens and young adults as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities”, according to the nursing home website. According to a report made on January 9, 2019 by AP News “the woman… had been in a vegetative state for more than 10 years after a near drowning” incident. The horror and shock of such news brings to light the reality of nursing home abuse and neglect. Police have launched a sexual assault investigation into the incident. 

A Crowson Law Group attorney commented as follows; “A nursing home can be held legally liable for damages that are suffered by its residents as a result of abuse or neglect. The family of the abused or neglected resident are able to file a lawsuit against the nursing home for causing harm to their family member. However, it is always important to have the necessary proof and a legal basis for such claims against the nursing home; assistance can be provided by a personal injury lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse claims.”
A number of factors can lead to the filing of a civil lawsuit such as accidents, failures to act or intentional acts on the part of the nursing home or their staff. Such can lead to a basis for filing a lawsuit. Even instances whereby employees fail to follow proper protocol or specific procedures are grounds for a lawsuit. 

One article states that, “nursing home abuse is all too common. It is important to take steps quickly after discovery, this will be used to protect your rights in the wake of mistreatment and neglect. The key is to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse; such signs include physical abuse, mental abuse, financial abuse and sexual abuse. Different forms of abuse may manifest in sudden changes in the resident’s personality or affect their health and eating habits. For example, a resident may exhibit withdrawn or regressive habits, a sudden change in appetite or weight loss or signs of malnutrition or dehydration. It is imperative for the family to contact authorities if the situation rises to the emergency level. Loved ones may wish to contact personal injury lawyers in Anchorage Ak to help conduct an investigation into the abuse of their family members. Once abuse is established the family may decide to report their suspicions to the nursing home or directly to the company that manages the nursing home, the licensing agency or ombudsman. And they in turn will launch an official investigation into the allegations.

With regards to the Arizona nursing home where the vegetative patient gave birth, it has been reported by The New York Times that fresh allegations of abuse have emerged including inadequate privacy for patients while they were naked or being showered.

About the company:

The Crowson Law Group is a law firm of renowned professionals who focus on personal injury matters. For legal advice with regard to nursing home abuse speak to Crowson Law Group lawyers in Anchorage Alaska focusing on nursing home abuse matters.