Most of us do not have to think about our need for food and water because we are able-bodied and have abundant access to these resources that are essential to our survival. Nursing home residents often face a different reality, as their physical limitations can make it difficult to consistently obtain adequate food and water.
The decision to trust a loved one’s care to a nursing home can be a heart-wrenching, but ultimately necessary decision. We rely on care facilities and their staff to prevent issues of dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes. To discover that the nursing home then neglected and abused your loved one, putting him or her in danger when dependable care was needed most, is devastating. You or a loved one may have a right to compensation for subsequent injuries or illnesses following dehydration or malnutrition because of a nursing home’s neglect. Contact our nursing home abuse lawyer today for help with dehydration and abuse in Memphis nursing homes.
How Does Dehydration and Malnutrition Happen in Nursing Homes?
Dehydration and malnutrition among residents in a nursing home can occur for many reasons, ranging from simple acts of neglect to systemic problems within a facility or even the intentional actions of an individual employee. For example, the following issues within a nursing home could cause a resident to suffer from malnutrition or dehydration:
- Failing to meet a resident’s dietary needs or restrictions
- Not providing residents with the right foods and liquids to meet their nutritional needs
- Not giving residents enough time to eat their meals
- Giving residents contaminated or spoiled food and water
- Failing to monitor a resident’s food and water intake to ensure proper nutrition
- Skipping a resident’s meals out of neglect or due to other care needs
- Withholding access to food or water as a form of punishment
- Failing to monitor a resident for symptoms of malnutrition or dehydration
Residents in nursing homes often lack the ability to care for and advocate for themselves. Problems with malnutrition or dehydration can stem from staffing shortages, the forgetfulness of a nurse, or intentional acts of physical and emotional abuse.
It is important to take swift action upon discovering a loved one in Memphis has been subject to dehydration or malnutrition in their nursing home. You may need to seek immediate medical treatment, relocate the resident to a different facility, and consider any legal right to compensation for the damages from the abuse or neglect. Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim under Tennessee Code Annotated § 28-3-104. You must timely file a claim in order to pursue a case in court.
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What Are the Warning Signs of Dehydration and Malnutrition?
Are you worried that your loved one might be malnourished or dehydrated in his or her Memphis nursing home? The following warning signs should be red flags for you. Symptoms of malnutrition include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness or loss of muscle
- In severe cases, physical or mental disability
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Dry, sticky mouth
- Fatigue
- Dry skin that doesn’t bounce back when you pinch it
- Headache
- Extreme thirst
- Irritability and confusion
- Sunken eyes
Our personal injury attorneys at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, help you fight back against this kind of unforgivable abuse, and we hold negligent and abusive nursing homes responsible for denying your loved one care. We work to make sure that local and even nationwide nursing homes don’t make their money by denying those in the most need the most basic expectations of care.
There is no excuse for malnutrition or dehydration. Denying the elderly basic care, such as the proper food and water they need, is more than just grossly negligent. It is inhumane. We understand the anger and betrayal you may feel because we feel it too, and when these cases come to us, we do not waver in fighting back to protect your loved one and get the compensation you deserve.
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Fighting to Get Results and End the Cycle of Mistreatment
There is only one way to end abusive and negligent practices by nursing homes, and that is to hold them accountable. Your case may have broad implications, and if we can expose the mistreatment your family suffered and hold offenders financially responsible, then we may also be able to help prevent other people from experiencing the same kind of abuse.
If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect, our Memphis attorneys can help you take action to hold the right people accountable for their negligence and mistreatment that led to dehydration and malnutrition. Our respected trial lawyers work with clients throughout the Memphis Tri-State area in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. For nearly 50 years, our office has established a proven record of successful verdicts and settlements for clients.
Potential Damages
The damages from dehydration or malnutrition can be severe and possibly life-threatening for the residents of a nursing home. They may require hospitalization and suffer from related injuries, illnesses, or other complications. Tennessee Code Annotated § 71-6-120 enables the victims of nursing home abuse to seek compensation for several types of damages, including the following:
- Past and future medical care costs
- Costs to relocate to a different nursing home
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Our lawyers have significant experience litigating these claims, which enables us to advocate for the maximum recovery of compensation under your circumstances.
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Get Legal Help in Memphis for a Nursing Home Dehydration and Malnutrition Case
Residents should not have to worry about dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes. Nursing home residents have a right to live with dignity and security for their basic needs. Abusive or neglectful practices can infringe on these rights and cause serious harm to residents.
We take dehydration and malnutrition in Memphis nursing homes seriously. Whether you come to see our lawyers or we travel to meet with you in your home, the consultation is free—no strings attached. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day. You can also contact us online at any time or call (901) 526-2126. We have a second office location in Germantown, Tennessee.
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