Ky Nursing Home Justice

KENTUCKY NURSING HOME NEGLECT

Nursing Home Neglect Help.

Nursing Home Neglect in Kentucky is serious business for the many that are injured or die each year due to nursing home neglect.  Our team of attorneys is prepared to do all that is needed to seek justice for you.In the United States today, there are over thirty six million people above the age of 65.  According to statistics, many will need some form of assisted living, whether it is a nursing home, assisted living facility or other elderly facility. Due to the fact that long-term care for the elderly is typically extremely expensive (well over $5,000 per month in many jurisdictions), the vast majority of residents go through most, if not all, of their assets in a matter of months and then become eligible for federal Medicaid benefits.  Indeed, the cost of over 90% of nursing home residents is paid by Medicaid.

According to the best available estimates, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been abused in some way or another. Including through nursing home neglect in Kentucky.  Nursing home residents have patient rights and certain protections under the law.  Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(c)(1)(B)(i), the nursing home must list and give all new residents a copy of these rights.[/vc_column_text][items_list type=”items” top_margin_header=”page_margin_top” read_more=”0″ top_margin=”page_margin_top”]Nursing Home Resident rights include but are not limited to:

  • Respect: You have the right to be cared for in such a manner as to enhance your quality of life. 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(b)(1)(A).
  • Services and Fees: You must be informed in writing about services and fees before you enter the nursing home. 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(c)(1)(B).
  • Money: You have the right to manage your own money or to choose someone else you trust to do this for you. 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(c)(6)(A), 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(c)(6)(B).
  • Privacy: You have the right to privacy, and to keep and use your personal belongings and property as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights, health, or safety of others. 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r(c)(1)(A)(iii).
  • Medical Care: You have the right to be informed about your medical condition, medications, and to see you own doctor. You also have the right to refuse medications and treatments. 42 U.S.C.A. 1396r

Recently, there has been increased recognition that elderly and dependent adults are subject to risks of abuse, neglect and abandonment. The abuse can be recurrent neglect or a single egregious event that produces injury, including physical, mental and/or financial.[/vc_column_text][items_list type=”items” top_margin_header=”page_margin_top” read_more=”0″ top_margin=”page_margin_top”]Common Injuries Due Often Linked To Nursing Home Neglect in Kentucky include:

  • Falls and fractures
  • Physical or chemical restraints
  • Malnutrition or dehydration
  • Improper, wrong or over-medication
  • Bed sores / Pressure sores
  • Lack of supervision (allowing residents to wander away from the facility, including abandonment and elopement
  • Physical abuse or unexplained injury
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Septic shock
  • Gangrene
  • Aspiration pneumonia
  • Theft of money and personal property
  • Unexpected or wrongful death
  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Untrained or insufficient staff
  • Over-sedation
  • Abandonment
  • Substandard medical care
  • Poor personal hygiene
  • Defective equipment
  • Sexual assault

Federal Law and Oversight of Nursing Homes

The Federal statute, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act or “OBRA”, 42 USCA 1396 et seq. and 1395 et seq., and its interpretive guidelines, spells out how nursing homes are ultimately responsible for the health, medical care and well-being of their residents. A federal bureau known as the Health Care Financing Administration oversees compliance with these regulations. HCFA enforces guidelines for the evaluation, care and treatment of residents, aimed at maximizing the quality of each resident’s daily life and minimizing abuse and neglect.If substantial compliance is shown, certification of the home is continued and the home can continue to receive government funds such as Medicare/Medicaid. If not, the home may lose its ability to receive these benefits. Care is expected to improve as nursing homes take steps to prevent injuries and avoid litigation, which is increasing.

Pre-Suit Investigation for Nursing Home Neglect in Kentucky

Before proceeding with litigation, a review of the medical records is critical. Some available family members, friends and witnesses will be interviewed to determine if there is any additional information regarding the elder’s treatment or documents which will assist in evaluation. This should include inquiries regarding complaints and/or third party investigations by governmental authorities. Because most victims in nursing home abuse cases are long past the stage of earning wages and often have short life spans, analysis of these cases is different. Important factors which may impact the amount of damages that may be recovered include the egregiousness of the nursing home’s conduct, whether a pattern of neglect can be shown, and whether injuries from the nursing home’s negligence can be distinguished from the resident’s existing disease process.

No Recovery, No Fee In Nursing Home Injury Cases

We take cases on a contingent basis, meaning that there is generally no cost to you unless we are able to recover a settlement or judgment on your behalf. We also front all litigation costs, meaning you need no money down to hire us as your attorneys. Litigation costs can include filing fees, court reporter fees for deposition, copying costs, experts, and travel. If you recover via trial or settlement, we are reimbursed our fronting of litigation costs out of any damages you are awarded. The actual percentage agreement between our firm and our clients may differ depending on each case. We invite you to contact us to discuss in more detail how we can help you, but please remember if there is no recovery, there is no fee