Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence During COVID-19

One of the significant challenges with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic is that senior citizens are especially at risk. The virus seems to hit them harder. They are more likely to suffer severe breathing problems, complications comma and fatalities. In contrast, younger adults and children seem to experience milder symptoms and fewer complications overall, though anyone with an underlying condition may be at risk.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Hollywood, Homestead, Miami, and other communities across the country have been on alert, worried about keeping their residents safe. Unfortunately, a number of outbreaks in nursing homes have highlighted the challenges of keeping residents safe.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Hollywood and other communities are at risk for a few reasons:

Elderly residents often share facilities, such as accessible washrooms or dining rooms, where the virus can lurk on surfaces

It can be harder to confine residents to their rooms without affecting quality of life

People in nursing homes may have underlying conditions which can put them at greater risk if they do contract COVID-19

Residents may have mobility or cognitive challenges which can make it harder for them to wash their hands as often and follow the other guidelines for avoiding transmission

Visitors can bring the virus into nursing homes when they visit loved ones

Staff may contract the virus outside the home and bring it in, where they can transmit it from one resident to another

Staff work closely with residents, which makes transmission more likely

There is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the country, which can make it hard to secure enough protective equipment for all staff, visitors, residents, and everyone else

While many nursing homes have worked hard to maintain good hygiene and safety, others have seen outbreaks. In some cases, nursing homes may be held liable if they did not follow proper hygiene protocols, if they did not report outbreaks or symptoms promptly, or if they failed to alert health authorities and doctors or provide adequate care.

Unfortunately, with the rapidly evolving situation, many families are caught in a difficult situation where they do not know what will happen next. They are not sure whether they will be able to file a claim, or even be able to visit loved ones. Some concerned families are having a hard time getting information about residents or are having difficulties getting family members out of nursing homes which may be affected.

If you have an elderly family member who is in an assisted living facility or a nursing home in South Florida, your first priority will be to make sure that they are safe. You will want to contact the nursing homes to find out more about their COVID-19 preparations and the precautions they are taking, especially once the state opens back up. If an outbreak has happened or if you suspect your elderly loved one has the virus, make sure that doctors are being consulted and your loved one is getting proper care.

If you suspect you may have a legal claim against a nursing home in Miami, Hollywood, Homestead, or another community in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free virtual consultation.