Unsupervised Care
Kansas City Negligent Nursing Home Supervision Attorneys
Nursing Home Resident Injuries & Death Caused by Inadequate Supervision
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have a duty to properly supervise residents. Failing to do so can increase the risk of accidents, wandering, and other incidents that may lead to serious injury, health complications, or even death.
If your loved one was harmed while under the care of a nursing home or similar facility, and you believe insufficient supervision may have been the cause, reach out to the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. team right away. We dedicate the majority of our practice to nursing home abuse and neglect claims; our attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of cases arising from various causes, including inadequate supervision of nursing home residents.
Why You Should Take Action
When it comes to the care and well-being of your loved ones, it’s important to ensure that they are receiving the proper care and attention they deserve. Unfortunately, cases of unsupervised and negligent care in nursing homes are all too common. At the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., LLC, our team of dedicated attorneys has extensive experience in handling cases involving unsupervised and negligent care in nursing homes. We understand the complexities of elder law and are committed to providing compassionate and aggressive legal representation for our clients. By seeking legal help, you can:
- Hold negligent parties accountable
- Seek compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering
- Ensure the safety and well-being of your loved one
- Promote better care standards in nursing homes
The Attorneys at the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. Can Help
Don’t hesitate to take action if you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of unsupervised or negligent care in a nursing home. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you and your family. For a free consultation with our Kansas City unsupervised care attorneys, call 816-708-0524 or contact us online today. You do not owe any legal fees unless we win your case.
What Is Unsupervised Care?
Unsupervised care is a form of nursing home negligence in which staff fails to adequately oversee residents. This can lead to a wide range of consequences, including wandering.
“Wandering” refers to excessive ambulation—AKA walking, roaming, or moving around—by elderly residents. While wandering does not necessarily pose any risks on its own, it can be concerning in individuals with certain cognitive impairments or conditions that may cause confusion, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Individuals may become disorientated or lost, or they may fall and become injured while wandering. This can—and should—be prevented by proper supervision.
Causes of Inadequate Nursing Home Supervision
Negligent supervision in nursing homes is a critical issue that poses significant risks to the well-being and safety of elderly residents. It refers to the failure of nursing home staff or management to adequately oversee and monitor residents, leading to preventable accidents, injuries, or instances of neglect.
This form of negligence can have devastating consequences, ranging from physical harm to emotional distress and a decline in the overall quality of life for residents.
The most common cause of inadequate nursing home supervision is understaffing. According to a 2022 study by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, as many as 87% of nursing homes nationwide are experiencing staffing shortages, half of which are classified as severe.
When nursing homes have a poor staff-to-resident ratio, there simply aren’t enough caregivers to oversee the residents. However, this isn’t an excuse for nursing homes to provide negligent or substandard care.
Several Factors Contribute to Negligent Supervision in Nursing Homes
Shortages in staff numbers or poorly trained personnel can hinder the ability to provide proper supervision. Insufficient staff-to-resident ratios often result in staff members being overwhelmed and unable to provide individual attention and monitoring.
Insufficient training and inadequate orientation for staff members can lead to a lack of understanding about the specific needs of residents, including those with mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or medical conditions requiring specialized care.
Nursing homes may have specific protocols and procedures for resident monitoring and care. Negligence can occur when these protocols are not followed or are disregarded by staff members due to neglect, oversight, or indifference.
Negligent supervision can also stem from inadequate facility management. Issues such as faulty equipment, inadequate safety measures, or a lack of proper maintenance contribute to an unsafe environment for residents.
The Effects of Unsupervised Care
When nursing home staff fails to adequately supervise residents, it can lead to serious accidents, mistakes, and other potentially harmful incidents. Some of the common effects of unsupervised care in nursing homes include:
- Falls and other accidents
- Wandering
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Medication errors
- Choking accidents
- Failure to diagnose or treat medical conditions
- Failure to obtain medical attention for residents
- New or worsened infections
- Bedsores
- Isolation of residents
- Residents being left alone for long periods of time
- Mental, social, and psychological harm
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
When elderly residents are harmed due to inadequate nursing home supervision, the facility can be held accountable. You could be entitled to compensation for any resulting medical expenses, financial loss, physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, and other related damages. In rare cases, unsupervised care can lead to wrongful death. When this occurs, surviving family members may have grounds to bring a lawsuit against the nursing home.
Is Unsupervised Care a Form of Nursing Home Neglect?
Insufficient supervision and substandard care are forms of nursing home neglect. When nursing homes cut corners by failing to employ sufficient staff to adequately supervise residents, leading to serious accidents or injuries, they can be held legally accountable.
At the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., our Kansas City unsupervised care attorneys represent clients who have suffered serious physical, emotional, and financial losses as a result of substandard care in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. We understand that this type of negligence can have a devastating impact on the lives of elderly individuals and their families. We are dedicated to obtaining justice for our clients so that they can begin to heal.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Unsupervised Care Attorneys Today
We are here to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. Based in Kansas City, we proudly serve clients throughout Kansas and Missouri. Our team brings more than 25 years of experience to its practice of nursing home abuse law; learn how we can help you with your claim today.
Call 816-708-0524 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary case review with our inadequate nursing home supervision lawyers in Kansas City.