Certain individuals in New Mexico and elsewhere may believe that many instances of neglect and/or abuse are not reported or simply go unnoticed. The impact that nursing home neglect can have on a patient can be catastrophic, in some cases leading to an untimely death. A recent investigation into these occurrences in another state asserts that numerous cases involving neglect or abuse might simply be swept under the rug.
One case in particular involved a woman who had reportedly fallen and hurt her legs. Staff at the care facility allegedly helped her back to the bed and left her there for almost a day without seeking medical attention, despite the fact that she claimed to have broken some bones. Although she was assured that nothing was broken, she was eventually taken to a hospital where examination discovered that she had broken both femurs. She reportedly passed away around three weeks later.
Another instance had a similar outcome when a patient recovering from hip surgery fell and wasn’t given medical attention for almost a day. An x-ray showed that she had re-injured the hip during the fall. Her family claims that she was unable to fully recover from the incident, and she died about a month later.
According to this report, neither incident was fully investigated by governing officials. Families of victims of nursing home neglect might not want to wait on a potential investigation; instead, they could choose to retain the services of an attorney for assistance. An attorney in New Mexico can evaluate the incident in question and help a family pursue compensation through a claim against the party or parties deemed culpable.
Source: kare11.com, “KARE 11 Investigates: Nursing home complaints kept secret”, Lauren Leamanczyk and Steve Eckert, May 24, 2017