It is awful to think that a nursing home patient might suffer from starvation and thirst in a place where they should be cared for and kept comfortable. Unfortunately, it is not a rare occurrence. Dehydration and malnutrition in DeLand nursing homes can lead to intense suffering and death.
Contact the dedicated nursing home abuse attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright immediately if your loved one is suffering this way. We have a well-earned reputation for effective advocacy for neglected nursing home patients. In fact, most of our cases find us through referrals from local doctors and lawyers and satisfied former clients.
Signs of Inadequate Food or Nourishment
Many nursing home patients are not able to advocate for themselves. Loved ones have the responsibility to monitor their condition and raise the alarm if something seems off. Knowing the signs of dehydration and malnutrition is critical.
Rapid weight loss should trigger an inquiry into the reasons. Other signs include:
- Sores around the mouth
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Loss of strength
- Muscle atrophy
- Dark urine
- Papery skin with no elasticity
If a loved one develops any of these symptoms while in the care of a nursing facility, seek an explanation from the administrator immediately and follow up in writing.
If you are not satisfied with the explanation, bring your concerns to a nursing home neglect attorney in DeLand. They can intervene with the facility, help you prepare a complaint to the regulatory authorities, and file a lawsuit when necessary.
Complaints Regarding Nursing Home Neglect
If you feel that your loved one is receiving inadequate care in a nursing home, bringing it to the attention of the administrator may not be enough. You can complain to the regulatory authorities, who can investigate the incident and may require the nursing home to take corrective action.
You can file a complaint with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration online or by telephone at 1-888-419-3456. If you believe your loved one is suffering intentional abuse, you can contact the police or the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
Did Abuse or Neglect Cause the Patient’s Condition?
When a nursing home patient is dehydrated or malnourished, it is important to investigate the cause. Some patients with terminal conditions opt out of feeding tubes or intravenous fluids because they do not want to prolong their suffering. Patients sometimes cannot absorb liquids or metabolize nutrients due to medication side effects; they may have trouble holding utensils, chewing, or swallowing; or they may have no appetite due to depression or the effects of medication.
Unless the patient has signed an advance directive rejecting artificial feeding and hydration, the nursing home must provide adequate food and fluids despite whatever physical or mental health challenges the patient may be experiencing. Nursing home staff must feed the patient, provide adaptive utensils so that the patient can drink when they are thirsty, and ensure that patients who have difficulty swallowing do not choke. Intravenous food and hydration may be necessary, but should not be used as a labor-saving technique for the facility.
Failing to accommodate the patient’s limitations and ensure they get adequate nourishment and hydration is neglect. Contact a DeLand lawyer at The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers immediately when you realize a nursing home patient has become malnourished or dehydrated.
Taking Legal Action Against the Facility
If a loved one is suffering from dehydration or malnutrition due to neglect, they can bring a negligence lawsuit against the facility. If they lack the mental or physical capacity, you can file a lawsuit as their guardian.
The patient is entitled to reimbursement of any expenses they incurred due to the facility’s neglect. They can also seek damages for their pain and suffering. If a nursing home patient died because of malnutrition or dehydration, a DeLand attorney could file a wrongful death lawsuit.
When the deprivation of adequate nutrition and hydration was intentional or the result of gross negligence, Florida Statutes § 758.72allows punitive damages. Punitive damages are similar to a fine a judge imposes on a facility for egregious conduct. The money goes to the person who was harmed or their surviving family members.
Hold Nursing Homes Accountable for Dehydration and Starvation with a DeLand Attorney
Dehydration and malnutrition in DeLand nursing homes is inexcusable. You can get justice for your loved one and protect other patients in the future by taking legal action now.
Colling Gilbert Wright has obtained several high-value verdicts and settlements against nursing homes that allowed patients to suffer from dehydration and malnutrition. We do not collect money from you unless we win your case, so schedule a free consultation with our nursing home neglect team today.