When a nursing home is charged with neglect, they and the workers involved can be on the hook for charges and fines from many sources. The responsible individuals could face criminal charges. The federal and state governments could levy fines and force policy changes. And of course, families have the right to sue individuals that have harmed their loved ones.
One nursing home in Oklahoma is facing a lot of heat after one of its workers was charged with neglect. A warrant is out for the arrest for an individual who deliberately left residents sitting in their own feces and urine. The Attorney General’s office has been investigating the case since earlier this year when another aide found the situation. They narrowed the staff down until they found the responsible individual. Long-term exposure to feces and urine risks infection.
However, advocates say that other people in the nursing home should also be held responsible, especially if the facility was understaffed at the time it happened. They claim that it is all too common for someone to not show up and extra work be shoved onto a worker. Under Oklahoma law, there has to be one direct-care employee for every seven residents.
The nursing center has refused to ask questions about their staffing numbers, claiming they are doing their own investigation.
In situations like these, all should be held accountable. It is true that the nursing aide did a criminal act, but if the facility put them in a bad situation to start with they must be held accountable. A lawsuit can expose that information and get families the compensation they deserve after a case of elder abuse.
If you believe your family member is being abused in their nursing home, get the strong arm of the law on your side. Call John Foy & Associates. We help with personal injury cases all over the Atlanta Metro Area. Call today.