New Mexico is home to many different nursing facilities that, when run properly, offer a vital service to our state’s elderly population. However, not all nursing homes function in a way that benefits their residents. Indeed, the nursing home abuse and neglect that takes place daily in some of these facilities is both inhumane and dangerous to the lives of the people who call these facilities home.
Recently, one allegedly negligent and/or abusive nursing home was cited for violations relating to the treatment of one of its residents. Bruises were discovered on a man after he was involved in a physical altercation with staff members at the facility. According to a nursing home doctor, the man did not recover from his injuries, which, combined with other medical conditions, led to his death two weeks after the altercation.
The deceased man was afflicted with a seizure disorder and other ailments, including dementia. Even though the nursing home’s resident’s physician said that pain and injury relating to the altercation with nursing home staff was at least partly to blame for the death, the nursing home has denied responsibility. Nevertheless, it has been cited by regulators for its failure to prevent residents from suffering from abuse.
Nursing home abuse and neglect can rear their ugly head in many different ways in New Mexico, from untreated bedsores to abuse of a sexual nature. When signs of abuse are evident, residents and their family members may wish to take action. A formal complaint to nursing home management and state regulators could be suitable action to take in many cases. In more severe cases, especially where serious injury results from nursing home neglect, victims may wish to pursue financial restitution from the nursing home by way of a civil court action.
Source: wxii12.com, “NC cites nursing home, alleges lack of abuse protection“, July 2, 2014
