Pennsylvanians expect that when they place a loved one in a nursing home, the proper amount of care will be provided. This includes ensuring that the residents receive the medication they are supposed to, monitoring them to make certain they are safe and addressing any issues immediately. Unfortunately, not all facilities adhere to this standard of care and engage in abusive behaviors, flout rules, and commit other acts that place the residents in danger. Nursing home neglect can happen to anyone. Having legal help is key to determining what happened and receiving compensation for it.
The father of the former U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster died in a Pennsylvania nursing home in April. Mr. McMaster had entered the facility on April 9 to receive rehabilitation after suffering a stroke. On April 12, Mr. McMaster was found on the floor in his room by a nursing assistant. He had open wounds on his shoulder and his head. He was placed in his wheelchair and the nursing assistants informed their superiors. He was found dead the next morning.
The investigation led to the arrest of a 30-year-old nurse for involuntary manslaughter. The nurse is accused of falsifying records to make it appear that she had done the neurological checks that were required. The record showed that the check was done 20 minutes after Mr. McMaster was found to have died in his chair. The nurse admitted to falsifying the record.
One of the most important functions of a nursing home is to keep a close eye on its residents. When the resident has fallen, is not cared for appropriately, is not kept clean, is not given medication they need, or is not taken to the hospital when necessary, the patient could face a worsened condition or even die. If the nursing home was negligent in its care of a patient, the family may be able to file a claim for compensation. A legal professional experienced in nursing home incidents can help with a claim.
Source: philly.com, “Nurse charged in death of H.R. McMaster Sr. at Cathedral Village,” Harold Brubaker, May 10, 2018