Harm Caused by Patient Abandonment in a Nursing Home 

Patient abandonment occurs when a care provider accepts the responsibility of specific duties for a nursing home resident but intentionally deserts them without notifying others of their decision. Patient abandonment differs from nursing home neglect because it goes beyond the failure to provide essential services and care and demonstrates a choice in failing to provide their duty assignments. A Springfield personal injury lawyer at Holley Rosen & Beard can provide guidance to determine if abandonment contributed to the damages your loved one suffers.

Identifying Nursing Home Patient Abandonment

You may have concerns and questions about a loved one experiencing abuse, abandonment, or neglect in a nursing home facility. Nursing home abuse may lead to a type of personal injury. The harm caused by patient abandonment may be similar to patient neglect, and the signs may be subtle or acute. Harm your loved one may face include:

• Preventable falls leading to broken bones or brain injuries
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Unsanitary conditions and a lack of personal hygiene
• Emotional trauma or sudden changes in mental health
• Bed sores
• Wrongful death

To protect your loved one, it is critical to act immediately if you suspect patient abandonment in a Springfield nursing home. Document the harm to a patient with photos and videos, and record the dates and times of the incident while noting what care providers should be on-site.

Possible Acts of Patient Abandonment

Proving abandonment is a complex legal process, requiring the personal injury attorney in Springfield representing your loved one to establish the individual accepting a specific responsibility for the care of your loved one acted willfully to disregard a task, resulting in negligence and causing injury. Abandonment in a nursing home may consist of the following acts by a care provider:

• Assigning their specific duties to an unqualified individual
• Accepting a patient assignment but leaving the unit without completing the duty or warning other staff
• Leaving a patient unattended during a time of scheduled care
• Participating in activities that leave a patient vulnerable to injury, such as sleeping or being impaired while on duty
• Failing to coordinate care or follow up with the next shift or a physician about a patient’s immediate needs

Sadly, a nursing home patient may be unable to express their concerns or issues of abandonment verbally. Our patience and compassion are essential to the extensive research we provide into suspected acts of patient abandonment in Springfield to demand accountability from the care provider, nursing home facility, or other corporate interests failing to secure and train qualified staff. Continuing acts of patient abandonment may ultimately result in the wrongful death of someone you love. Replacing your loved one is impossible. However, seeking justice on their behalf may be possible.

Time Limits Apply to Acts of Patient Abandonment and Nursing Home Abuse

Illinois law allows two years from the date the damages occur or the date of the reasonable discovery of damages to file a civil lawsuit for compensation. However, exceptions may apply. We provide a free initial consultation to determine the strength of your claim and if the statute of limitations allows or excludes legal action.

Contact a Springfield Personal Injury Attorney to Discuss Patient Abandonment in a Nursing Home

Protecting your loved one from abuse and personal injury in a Springfield nursing home is a priority. Holley Rosen & Beard believe in every person’s right to seek legal compensation when negligence leads to injury. Contact us to discuss patient abandonment concerns and possible Springfield nursing home abuse.