Nursing Home Deaths Increase as Staffing Shortage Continues

The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is never easy, but it’s even more difficult when you worry about their safety and well-being. Current staffing shortages in nursing homes across Michigan are adding to these concerns. Understaffed facilities can’t provide the level of care your loved one deserves and may lead to mistreatment, neglect, and abuse.

Staffing Shortages in U.S. Nursing Homes

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the staffing crisis in nursing homes, leading to a severe shortage of qualified caregivers. Many healthcare workers have left the industry due to burnout, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. Those who remain are often overworked and stretched thin, struggling to meet the needs of numerous residents with complex medical conditions.

This staffing shortage means fewer hands on deck to provide essential care, including administering medication, assisting with daily activities, and ensuring residents’ overall well-being. The result is a dangerous environment where residents are more likely to suffer from neglect and inadequate care.

Inadequate Staffing Can Increase the Likelihood of Abuse or Neglect

When nursing homes operate with fewer staff members than needed, the quality of care diminishes significantly. Overworked staff may become frustrated, exhausted, and unable to provide the attention each resident requires. This environment can lead to issues, including:

• Neglect. Residents may not receive timely assistance with eating, bathing, or restroom use. This neglect can result in malnutrition, dehydration, and hygiene-related health problems.
• Medical errors. Understaffed facilities are more prone to medication errors and delayed medical treatments, which can have serious, even fatal, consequences.
• Isolation. Social interactions and activities are essential for residents’ mental health. A shortage of staff means fewer opportunities for engagement, leading to loneliness and depression.
• Abuse. High stress levels among caregivers can sometimes lead to abusive behavior. Physical, emotional, or verbal abuse can occur when staff members feel overwhelmed and unsupported.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawsuits in Michigan

If your loved one has suffered neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you have the right to pursue legal action. Personal injury and wrongful death claims can hold nursing homes accountable for their failure to provide adequate care. The elements of a nursing home abuse case are:

1. Duty of care. Nursing homes are legally obligated to provide a safe environment and meet residents’ needs.
2. Breach of duty. You must show that the nursing home failed to meet its duty of care through neglect, inadequate staffing, or abusive behavior.
3. Causation. There must be a link between the nursing home’s violation of the duty owed to your loved one and the harm they suffered.
4. Damages. You must demonstrate that your loved one has compensable damages due to their injuries, which could be physical, emotional, or financial.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Damages

In a personal injury or wrongful death claim stemming from an incident of nursing home abuse or neglect, your family may be able to recover the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses, including compensation for any medical treatment required due to the neglect or abuse, including hospitalization, medication, and ongoing care.
• Pain and suffering, which provides monetary compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced by your loved one.
• Loss of enjoyment of life, which are damages for the diminished quality of life resulting from neglect or abuse.

In the tragic event that neglect or abuse leads to a loved one’s death, you may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other related costs.

Retain an Experienced Michigan Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from neglect or abuse, it’s crucial to act quickly. To ensure your loved one receives the justice they deserve, contact the experienced attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. Our team has extensive experience handling all types of nursing home abuse and neglect cases and is dedicated to holding facilities accountable for the harm they have caused.

Don’t let your loved one become another statistic. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your loved one’s rights and well-being.