Family Of Neglected Nursing Home Resident Awarded $42 Million By Jury
Joseph Clint Offutt lived an admirable life. Like many of his generation, Mr. Offutt served in World War II, working on the farm and was a dedicated husband for 58 years. Yet despite all of his accomplishments in life, age began to creep up on Mr. Offutt. After suffering a stroke in 2007, Mr. Offutt's family realized that they were no longer able to care for him at home so they looked for a skilled nursing facility. On March 25, 2008 Mr. Offutt was admitted to Harborside of Madisonville (currently known as Hillside Villa Care and Rehabilitation Center). Just nine...
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More Time Must Be Spent Feeding Alzheimer's Patients
I've seen a significant number of cases where an Alzheimer's patient gets admitted to a nursing home or assisted living facility only to have their health rapidly decline within a brief period. In several cases, I've seen patients deteriorate so significantly that within a few weeks of their admission they needed to be rushed to a hospital due to rapid weight-loss and dehydration. The event likely leads to a hospitals request that a feeding tube be surgically implanted in patient to provide life sustaining nutrients. Unfortunately, further complications typically arise with the use of the feeding tube adding further...
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Inadequate Nutrition & The Development Of Bed Sores In Nursing Home Patients
Sad but true, many nursing home patients are suffering from malnutrition. While we often associate malnutrition amongst the homeless or people living in a third-world country, some studies suggest that between 35% and 85% of nursing home patients are malnourished. As attorney David Terry points out in his blog post, "How Does Poor Nutrition Affect the Development of Bed Sores in Nursing Homes?" the rampant malnutrition can be associated with an increased risk of developing bed sores. Poor nutrition results in a deterioration of body functioning. Over extended period of time, patients without adequate nutrition tend to have organs that...
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Nursing Home Injury Laws
In times of need, locating necessary information regarding the legal rights and resources for nursing home patients can be difficult and imposing. In this respect, we are proud to introduce a new resource for patients, families and practitioners looking for a concise compilation of information regarding nursing home laws. Nursing Home Injury Laws, provides every states': Nursing Home Laws Medical Malpractice Laws State Resources Applicable State Code Common Nursing Home Injuries Glossary Recognized Books & Journals Nursing Home FAQ Additionally, we will be posting regular updates regarding important developments relevant to nursing home care within each state. Here is a...
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Illinois Elder Abuse Trial To Help Define Standard Of Care
The pending criminal trial of Jill and Julie Barry will have an important impact on Illinois seniors as it will help define what constitutes 'reasonable care' when it comes to the home-care of elders. Currently, prosecutors in Illinois have few parameters when it comes to the definition of 'elder abuse' because Illinois courts have not formally ruled on the issue before. Consequently, the decision as to how to define 'reasonable care' in a criminal neglect context will fall squarely on jurors. In 2008, Kane County State's Attorney, John Barsanti filed criminal neglect charges against the Barry sisters related to their...
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Lawsuit Highlights Problems At Washington Heights Nursing Home
A wrongful death lawsuit filed was recently filed on behalf of the Estate of Stanley Dancy against Washington Heights Nursing Home. The lawsuit alleges Mr. Dancy was admitted to the Chicago nursing home for rehabilitation for a recent illness. Within a month of his admission, Mr. Dancy developed four advanced-stage pressure sores, a urinary tract infection and malnourishment. The elderly man was sent to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment of his medical conditions. After receiving inpatient hospital treatment, Mr. Dancy was discharged to a different nursing home in the Chicago area. "Unfortunately, by that time, it was too late...
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Meals: Nutrition vs. Neglect
Today my office was contacted a Chicago-area woman whose mother lost 30 pounds within three months of her admission to a nursing home. She explained how her 87 year old mother suffered from dementia and needed assistance with most daily living activities including help with meals. The woman went on to explain that the entire reason she brought her mother to the facility was because she was assured that the facility was capable of meeting her daily nutritional needs. The case above illustrates a common problem at many nursing homes and long-term care facilities--the neglect of residents. Neglect related to...
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