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People entrust the care of their loved ones to a nursing home, a place where they should receive dignity, respect, and most importantly, professional attention. According to CT Insider, a private room in a Connecticut nursing home can cost an average of $150,000 per year. For that kind of money, anyone would expect the highest quality of care. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Nursing homes with unqualified staff can be places where neglect, abuse, and even wrongful death occur.

If you suspect your loved one is experiencing any form of mistreatment, don’t wait. Get in touch with a qualified Connecticut nursing home abuse lawyer to review your case. They can help you understand your legal options.

Medication Errors in Connecticut Nursing Homes

Medication mistakes are a leading concern in nursing homes. A National Institutes of Health report reveals a shocking statistic: 92% of nursing homes admit to medication errors. These errors can take many forms, putting residents at risk:

• Over-medication: This can be used inappropriately to control a resident’s behavior through drugs, rather than addressing the root cause.
• Incorrect dosages: Giving the wrong amount of medication can be dangerous.
• Wrong medication: Administering the incorrect medication entirely or giving it to the wrong resident can have devastating consequences.
• Wrong patient: Giving medication to the wrong resident is a potentially life-threatening error.

The outcome of these errors can be tragic. Medication mistakes can lead to pain and suffering, serious injuries, or even death. Remember, if you suspect a medication error has harmed your loved one, it’s important to remember that families have the right to hold the nursing home accountable.

Other Forms of Nursing Home Neglect in Connecticut

Medication errors are a serious concern, but they’re not the only form of negligence that can occur in nursing homes. Our experience representing victims of nursing home abuse in Connecticut goes beyond neglect and medication errors. Sadly, we’ve also seen cases of:

Mismanagement of Health Conditions: Many residents have chronic health conditions that require regular monitoring and treatment. When nursing homes fail to provide this care, it can have serious consequences.

Bed Sores, Pressure Ulcers, and Sepsis: These interconnected issues can all stem from a lack of proper care. When residents aren’t adequately repositioned throughout the day, they’re at risk of developing bed sores and pressure ulcers. These painful wounds can become infected and lead to a serious complication known as sepsis, where the infection spreads through the bloodstream. A lack of monitoring, treatment, or proper wound care can exacerbate these issues further.

Physical Assault: Residents entrusted to the care of professionals should never be victims of violence. Unfortunately, assault by nursing staff is a horrific reality for some.

Slips and Falls: These incidents are often preventable with proper supervision and attention to residents’ needs. Neglecting to monitor residents who are at risk of falling can lead to serious injuries.

Legal Options for Nursing Home Abuse in Connecticut

If you suspect your loved one is being neglected or abused in a Connecticut nursing home, you have legal options. Here’s what you need to know:

Statute of Limitations: It’s important to act quickly. In Connecticut, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim related to nursing home abuse is typically two years from the date of the injury or discovery of the wrongful death.

Who Can File a Claim? The victim of abuse, or in some cases, their legal guardian, can file a claim for personal injury damages. In the tragic event of wrongful death caused by nursing home abuse, a lawsuit must be filed by the executor or administrator of the deceased person’s estate.

Compensation can differ:

• Victims of Abuse: May be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and potentially punitive damages.
• Families in Wrongful Death Cases: May be entitled to compensation for medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support the deceased provided, and loss of companionship due to the emotional loss.

Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Connecticut? Act Now!

If you suspect a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, don’t hesitate to act. Report the mistreatment as soon as possible. Filing a claim can prevent future abuse from happening to others.

Contact a Connecticut nursing home abuse attorney at Etemi Law right away. We’ll investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, communicate with the appropriate health agencies and experts, and fight tirelessly to help you get the compensation you deserve.