Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Seniors must maintain the proper level of fluids every day. Even the slightest reduction can be hazardous for their health and cause severe illness. Dehydration can cause serious side effects such as vomiting and feeling weak, and severe dehydration can cause death. Caregivers must monitor the resident’s fluid levels at all times. When they do not monitor fluid levels and dehydration occurs, a skilled attorney at McDonald At Law may recommend filing a negligence claim.
Malnutrition in Nursing Homes
Malnutrition occurs when the senior does not receive the proper foods to maintain their nutritional levels. Other factors play into malnutrition, such as chronic illness, but it is often a case of abuse in long-term care facilities. Malnutrition can especially be an issue for residents who cannot feed and care for themselves.
Usually, the negligence results from the nursing home understaffing their caregivers rather than an intentional act. However, even in unintentional, careless actions that lead to malnutrition, the victim and their family have every right to hold the facility accountable. A knowledgeable attorney at McDonald At Law could answer questions about the complications of malnutrition in Lancaster nursing homes.
Lancaster Statute of Limitations
When a senior suffers from malnutrition or dehydration in a nursing home and sustains an injury, the state statute limits a time for filing a lawsuit. Pennsylvania Statutes Title 42 § 5524 states that the claimant in a long-term care facility claim must file the legal action within two years from when injuries occurred. If the nursing home intentionally conceals the reason for illness or death, the claimant will have two years from the day they discover the reason for injury.
The claimant must sue before the statute of limitations expires to avoid losing the right to recover compensation for damages and losses. A competent lawyer well-versed in dehydration nursing homes could explain relevant state legislation and ensure the individual files the claim within the code’s guidelines.
Reach out to an Attorney about Malnutrition and Dehydration in Lancaster Nursing Homes
If you suspect a senior you love is not receiving the proper hydration and nutrition in a nursing home or long-term care facility, it is crucial that you take immediate action. The staff at long-term care facilities must monitor levels at all times and ensure residents are receiving the proper amounts of fluids and nutrition every day.
When they do not provide the care to keep seniors safe and healthy, a court could hold them accountable for damages. Call a proactive lawyer at McDonald At Law regarding dehydration and malnutrition in Lancaster nursing homes today to set up an appointment.