West Palm Beach Nursing Home Malnutrition/Dehydration Lawyers
If your loved one is suffering from neglect in a nursing home, resulting in malnutrition or dehydration, call Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. at 561.689.8180 today. The statistics surrounding elder neglect in nursing homes in the United States are staggering: of the 1.6 million individuals in nursing homes today, up to a third of them suffer from malnutrition or dehydration due to the neglect of their caretakers. This is heartbreaking. Every day, families make the difficult choice to entrust the life of their loved one to a 24-hour care facility. The family expects the highest level of care, and believes that the dedicated staff of the nursing home is watching over the residents as if they were their own flesh and blood. When families find out their loved one is not receiving the care or attention they deserve, they are devastated. But, there is hope. You can file a lawsuit to rectify the neglect your loved one has suffered. Nursing homes have a duty to responsibly provide for their residents, and when they fail, they can be held legally and financially responsible. Contact the West Palm Beach nursing home malnutrition and dehydration attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. today at 561.689.8180 to explore your legal options.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
The only way to receive compensation for the neglect your loved one has suffered is to file a lawsuit against the nursing home. To achieve the most successful outcome possible, you will need a skilled attorney who understands the legal system to help you. A lawyer will help you present a compelling lawsuit, answer any and all questions you might have about the process, and guide you through every step of the way. Proving that your loved one’s malnutrition or dehydration was the result of nursing home negligence can be difficult without an experienced lawyer’s help.
Why Choose Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A.?
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we have a reputation for first-class communication and aggressive representation. Our team of lawyers lead with open and clear communication to ensure that no part of the legal process is a mystery to you. Combined, our team has decades of legal experience that we use to break down the facts of your case, and assemble a strong dossier of evidence to support your suit. Each member of our team will aggressively defend your rights and the rights of your loved one to ensure that your suffering is financially compensated for. We have been widely recognized for our success on behalf of our clients, winning numerous awards including being named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the country.
What Do I Need to Know About Elder Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes?
In most cases, malnutrition and dehydration of nursing home residents is a result of neglect, not malicious intent on the part of nursing home staffers. However, whether intentional or not, nursing home neglect is a serious offense and should be rectified in a court of law. Elder malnutrition or dehydration is, unfortunately, often the result of understaffing issues in nursing homes. As the average life expectancy increases across the United States, more and more people are seeking care in these facilities. Although the demand is increasing, the funding and staffing of nursing homes are not increasing to meet the demand. Thus, many nursing homes are understaffed. When a member of the nursing home staff is responsible for 15 individuals’ meal times, instead of the 2-3 individuals recommended by studies, mistakes and oversights are likely to happen. Furthermore, if a member of the staff is inexperienced, or hasn’t received the proper training, they are more likely to make errors when providing food or drinks to residents. Even when errors are understandable, they are not acceptable, and you can and should hold the negligent nursing home accountable for their neglect.
What Are the Signs or Symptoms of Malnutrition or Dehydration in Nursing Homes?
Dehydration and malnutrition, especially at the early stages, is difficult to detect. However, there are several distinctive symptoms you look out for in your loved one.
Dehydration is not only the result of not consuming enough water. Dehydration can also result from a diet lacking in high water content foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Common symptoms of dehydration include the following:
- Confusion
- Unusual difficulty walking
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Inability to sweat or produce tears in the eye
- Rapid heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Low urine output
- Constipation
Malnutrition occurs when someone is not getting enough food, or not the correct types of food. Malnutrition often results from a diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Common symptoms of malnutrition include:
- Unusually red lips or canker sores
- Muscular fatigue
- Red, glassy eyes
- Confusion
- Dull or yellowed skin
Dehydration and malnutrition, while dangerous conditions in and of themselves, can also lead to serious health complications. Keeping an eye on your loved one in a nursing home, and keeping basic tabs on the state of their health, is the best way to detect a malnutrition or dehydration. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from malnutrition or dehydration, contact Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. immediately for help.
Contact Us
Malnutrition and dehydration are serious and life-threatening conditions, especially for the elderly. If your loved one is suffering from the neglect of a nursing home staff member, contact the nursing home abuse attorneys from Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. at 561.689.8180 today for assistance.
