Is your loved one a resident at a New York or New Jersey nursing home? Make sure that you pay attention the facility’s treatment of your relative, as some centers experience issues with items like bedsores, malnutrition, abuse and drug dispersal errors. 
If you ever want to know about a nursing home’s reputation, there is a program titled Nursing Home Compare that offers reports about the quality of services offered at facilities that care for patients who receive Medicare or Medicaid.
To view how your local nursing homes compare, you can visit the program by clicking here. You can search the Nursing Home Compare by typing in a facility name, zip code or city.
As this federal database shows, nursing home abuse and neglect is something that agencies take very seriously. If you have a family member whom you believe is suffering at the hands of a facility, you should contact your local authorities, especially if it involves instances of assault or abuse. Additionally, as the case below shows, it may be in your best interest to contact an attorney.
NYC Nursing Home Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit
We decided to blog about nursing home abuse and neglect this week, because there was a story in the news recently generating headlines. According to the New York Post, the family of a once-prominent New York judge has settled its wrongful death lawsuit with a Brooklyn nursing home after the man froze to death at the facility seven years ago.
According to the Post, the settlement was reportedly for $750,000. The case involved the late Civil Court Judge John Phillips, who reportedly froze to death at his Prospect Park Residence. His area at the facility was allegedly unheated at the time. Attorneys for his family said the facility still has heating issues, and the Post reported that it talked to current residents who said that the dining room and other common rooms remain unheated at the center.
Working with an Attorney on a Nursing Home Claim
As this case shows, many resident deaths and injuries sustained at nursing homes are preventable. Again, signs of neglect that you may want to look out for include bedsores, malnutrition or dehydration and infections. Additionally, you may want to look for signs of bruising on your loved one, as this can be an indication of potential abuse or assault.
In addition to all of this, it may be a good idea to inspect the facility for issues with bedding, hygiene and heating and cooling.
Remember, by contacting a nursing home abuse attorney if you see signs of abuse or neglect, he or she may be able to launch an investigation into your case before it is too late.
If you leave your loved one in the hands of a nursing home, you would expect that his or her personal safety would be a priority; sadly, this is not always the case. We will continue to update you about nursing home cases and their legalities in our blog.
Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. – Injury Lawyers
KGG’s Corner: Some studies have found that as many as 44 percent of nursing home residents said that they have experienced abuse.