Nursing Home Negligence & Abuse: Scranton Personal Injury
As the novel coronavirus continues to plague our nation, we have continued to see a drop in numbers of the deadly virus. However, for families whose loved ones were victims of COVID-19 while in the care of nursing home facilities, where is their justice? Just because local numbers are on the downward trend, that does not mean answers have been given and closure has been achieved. If you have a loved one who is a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse, the Scranton personal injury lawyers of Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam are here for you.
COVID-19 Prevention – Nursing Home Negligence
As personal care facilities, we expect that when we place a loved one in a nursing home, the staff, medical providers, and personnel, will do everything possible to care for our family members. That includes mandating and following any required safety protocols to stop the spread and slow the progression of COVID-19.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented the following preventative and procedural measures to slow the spread of COVID-19:
- Restricting visitors with exceptions for compassionate care and end-of-life situations;
- Restricting volunteers and nonessential health care personnel
- Canceling group activities and communal dining
- Implementing active screening of residents and health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms
In addition to these guidelines, the preventative measures as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow and stop the spread of the novel coronavirus as restrictions lift include:
- Develop a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfection of shared equipment, frequently touched surfaces in resident rooms and common areas.
- Ensure EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants are available to allow for frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces and shared resident care equipment.
However, when your loved one falls ill and you find out that the proper protocols had not been followed, you may wonder if legal action can be taken. Though the legislation is currently in practice which shields nursing homes from lawsuits, that does not mean you still cannot pursue legal action.
You may still be able to press charges for the actions or inactions taken which resulted in the spread of COVID-19 in the first place.
However, you may also be able to press a medical malpractice claim if your concern is not related to COVID-19, but rather to another illness which went unnoticed by professionals. This may include:
- Failure to Diagnose
- Failure to Monitor
- Medication Error
- Complications of Procedure
We know that our frontline workers, especially those in the thick of the novel coronavirus, have done and continue to do the best that they can under these harsh circumstances. However, that does not mean you cannot be angry if your loved one is neglected while in the care of a nursing home facility.
Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers, Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam
You may be feeling hurt, angry, and confused as to why your loved one was not given the utmost care during this horrific health crisis. And you deserve answers. If you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, you need the Scranton personal injury attorneys of Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The law firm of Mazzoni Valvano Szewczyk & Karam – your best interests come first here.
