Nursing home abuse and neglect can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. For that reason, victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, and their family members, should be familiar with the legal protections available to those harmed by nursing home negligence.
Liability for nursing home abuse and neglect
There are several ways nursing homes may be liable for abuse and neglect caused in their facilities including:
- Negligent supervision and care: If a nursing home negligently supervises or cares for a resident, they may be liable for harm that results such as if the resident wanders off or suffers from bedsores or other harm.
- Negligent hiring and retention of employees: Nursing homes can be liable for negligently hiring and retaining employees. In addition, they may be liable for failing to properly train staff or for inadequately staffing the facility.
- Negligent maintenance of premises: A nursing home may be liable for negligently maintaining the facility if it is unsafe or if proper security measures are not taken for the safety of residents and others.
- Negligent selection and maintenance of equipment: If the nursing home is negligent in its selection of and maintenance of equipment used in the nursing home, it may be liable to victims for the harm that results.
Both the nursing home and its employees may be liable for nursing home negligence depending on the circumstances. A claim for damages for nursing home negligence can help victims and their families recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages that resulted from the nursing home abuse or neglect they suffered.