Nursing homes are legally obligated to provide residents with the necessary care, including adequate nutrition and hydration. Dehydration and malnutrition in Orlando nursing homes can be a form of abuse or neglect, potentially leading to serious health consequences for the resident.
If you suspect a nursing home resident is suffering from such neglect, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities, such as state regulators, adult protective services, or the nursing home ombudsman. If you think your loved one is being harmed in any way, do not hesitate to contact our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright for your free consultation.
Injuries and Signs of Dehydration and Malnutrition in Nursing Homes
In Orlando nursing homes, malnourishment often results from negligence, including failure to provide adequate food and water, neglecting dietary needs, and inadequate assistance with eating or drinking. Contact a nursing home abuse attorney immediately who could help you protect your loved one’s rights and take prompt legal action if you recognize any of the following signs of dehydration or malnutrition in your loved one:
- Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss, especially without a clear medical reason
- Muscle weakness or loss of muscle mass: Noticeable as decreased strength, difficulty with daily activities, and potential immobility
- Increased fatigue and weakness: Feeling tired, weak, and lacking energy can be a symptom of malnutrition
- Skin condition changes: Dry, flaky, or brittle skin can indicate poor nutrition
- Dry mouth and lips: A persistent lack of moisture in the mouth can signify dehydration
- Dark-colored urine: Reduced urine output or darker-colored urine can indicate inadequate hydration
- Neurological symptoms: Dehydration can affect brain function, leading to disorientation, dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, and lack of balance
- Low blood pressure: Dehydration can reduce blood volume, leading to hypotension
Weakness, dizziness, and confusion associated with malnutrition and dehydration can increase the likelihood of falls, leading to fractures, bruises, and other injuries. Immobility related to malnutrition and dehydration can cause bedsores. A weakened immune system due to malnutrition can make residents more susceptible to infections, which can be especially dangerous for elderly individuals.
Dehydration can disrupt the balance of essential electrolytes in the body, leading to various complications, including kidney strain and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Malnutrition and dehydration can also contribute to muscle atrophy, poor wound healing, and cognitive decline.
Filing a Nursing Home Dehydration and Malnutrition Lawsuit
Understaffing or poor training of care staff can lead to residents not receiving necessary assistance with eating or drinking, especially those with mobility issues or cognitive impairment. A facility’s failure to tailor care plans to each resident’s specific needs—including their appetite, dietary restrictions, fluid intake requirements, medical conditions, and ability to communicate their hunger or thirst—can contribute to malnutrition and dehydration.
To file a nursing home dehydration or malnutrition lawsuit in Orlando, you must demonstrate that the nursing home breached its duty of care and harmed the resident. This includes proving that the nursing home failed to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, resulting in the resident’s injuries or death. Our attorneys will need to identify and quantify the damages the resident suffered, which may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (in cases of egregious negligence or abuse)
A thorough investigation is necessary to determine if the issue was due to preventable actions or inactions of the facility. Your attorney could identify and preserve all evidence, including medical records, photos, videos, witness statements, facility inspection reports, and other documentation to demonstrate a direct link between the nursing home’s negligence and your loved one’s injuries.
Why Choose Our Firm?
At Colling Gilbert Wright, our past legal recoveries include a $400,000 award for a nursing home abuse client who suffered from dehydration, $750,000 for the family of a nursing home resident who died from bedsores and malnutrition, and a $1.5 million award to the family of a resident who passed away from bedsores, dehydration, and malnutrition.
Speak With an Orlando Nursing Home Dehydration and Malnutrition Lawyer
Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be difficult due to a variety of factors, including your loved one’s resistance to change, your family members’ concerns, and the emotional weight of the decision. If you recognize signs of dehydration and malnutrition in an Orlando nursing home where your loved one resides, it can be difficult to cope with this tragic outcome, but it is crucial to act immediately to secure your loved one’s safety.
We can investigate your potential claim and pursue financial restitution for your loved one’s injuries from nursing home abuse to the fullest extent available. Contact us today to request your free, confidential consultation.