We understand how neglect affects the elderly and vulnerable, and we seek justice against those responsible. You can find empathy, tailored services, and a dedication to fairness at Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation.
Our team thoroughly examines each case, tirelessly pursuing accountability for those at fault. Our groundbreaking $13.5 million verdict in 2021 highlights how we deliver meaningful results for our clients. Choosing our firm means collaborating with advocates who prioritize your loved one's well-being and dignity.
Significant weight loss due to malnutrition signifies a critical health risk for older adults. Malnutrition affects up to 50% of nursing home residents, whether the cause is underlying health issues or neglect. Dehydration is similarly prevalent; one study found that nearly 40% of nursing home residents experienced dehydration at any given time.
While underlying health conditions are sometimes the cause of malnutrition and dehydration in older adults, another common cause is neglect and inadequate nutritional care.
Dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes often stem from a combination of medical, environmental, and care-related factors.
Unintentional weight loss is a common indicator of both dehydration and malnutrition. It is often linked to underlying medical conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.
These conditions can affect a resident's ability to eat or drink properly, sometimes due to the following:
In many nursing homes, understaffing is a critical issue that exacerbates these problems:
Sometimes, the food provided in nursing homes may be inadequate. It might:
Neglect is often unintentional. However, when a nursing home does not prioritize its residents’ nutritional and hydration needs due to insufficient staffing or inadequate care practices, it has failed in its duties.
Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition in nursing home residents is crucial for ensuring their health and well-being. These conditions can lead to severe complications if not addressed promptly.
If a loved one in a nursing home is showing these signs, discuss your concerns with the staff and consider seeking legal guidance.
Many nursing home residents need help with eating and drinking. Some of them are unable to feed themselves because of cognitive impairments.
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is associated with certain health conditions more common among older adults. People with dysphagia require continuous supervision and assistance during meals. But even residents who can feed themselves require careful monitoring to ensure they consume enough and avoid choking incidents.
People who experience malnutrition or dehydration are at higher risk of infections and prolonged illness due to their weakened immune systems. This issue is especially critical among the elderly, whose health is already compromised by age and underlying medical conditions.
Malnutrition and dehydration in the elderly can result in severe health issues:
In the most severe cases, these conditions can cause wrongful death.
California nursing home residents are entitled to receive proper nutrition and hydration.
In some cases, residents can refuse to accept nutrition through a feeding tube or IV hydration. But for most nursing home residents, the staff must serve nutritious meals at appropriate times and meet the residents’ hydration needs. Failure to meet these standards can lead to legal liability if residents suffer from malnutrition and dehydration.
If your loved one has suffered from dehydration or malnutrition due to negligence or abuse in a California nursing home, they may be entitled to recover compensation.
Through a lawsuit, they can seek damages that include:
In cases where malnutrition or dehydration has led to death, certain family members can pursue additional damages:
If nursing home neglect has led to the death of your loved one, contact Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation, to discuss your next steps.
The nursing home resident or their appointed legal representative can file a claim when the resident has experienced physical harm due to nursing home neglect. They must act within a certain time frame called the “statute of limitations” for the claim to be successful.
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is usually two years. However, some claims against healthcare providers have a one-year time limit. This shorter statute of limitations may apply to a malnutrition or dehydration lawsuit, depending on what type of facility the neglect occurred in and who was responsible for it.
When someone dies due to nursing home neglect, their spouse, children, or other heirs may file a wrongful death lawsuit, or the deceased person’s representative may file on behalf of the heirs. Through this type of lawsuit, the family can try to compel the nursing home to change its policies and seek compensation for their losses.
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from malnutrition or dehydration in a nursing home, it is crucial to act quickly.
Here are the steps you should follow:
When your loved one is at risk, you have the power to take action. Contact Susan Kang Gordon, A Professional Law Corporation, today.
When it comes to seeking justice for victims of dehydration and malnutrition in nursing homes, Susan Kang Gordon stands out as a formidable advocate. Among many other honors, she has been named Trial Lawyer of the Year by both the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (2022) and the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association (2021).
As dedicated legal advocates, our primary mission is to seek justice for vulnerable older adults. Our proven track record in elder abuse cases demonstrates our commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of the elderly.
With our empathetic and thorough approach, you can trust us to fight tirelessly for justice and fair compensation for your loved one.
