Knoxville Nursing Home Wrongful Death

Placing your loved one in a Knox County nursing home is a difficult decision. Nursing homes can help people who need around-the-clock medical care and assistance with the tasks of daily living. Many are staffed by compassionate, professionally trained nurses and care workers, but unfortunately, there are nursing homes where residents are in unsafe or deadly conditions.

Nursing home abuse is one of the chief causes of nursing home deaths. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in 2020, more than 1,500 complaints were filed against nursing homes. Complaints of abuse, neglect, medication mismanagement, and malnutrition are the most common ones filed. However, left unresolved, these complaints may lead to the death of residents.

If your loved one died in a Knoxville nursing home and you suspect neglect or abuse was the cause, you may have a wrongful death case against the nursing home. These cases can be complicated to pursue since nursing home residents are already in frail health. However, a professional, experienced nursing home wrongful death lawyer can bring justice for your family. You may also be entitled to a settlement from the nursing home that caused the death of your friend or family member.

Wrongful death in a nursing home is a death that could have been prevented if the resident had received proper assistance, nutrition, and medical care. Nursing home wrongful deaths are painful for families. Not only do they experience grief and loss over the death of their loved one, but many also blame themselves for placing their elderly relative in an assisted care home.

If your loved one died because they didn’t receive proper care or were victims of abuse and neglect, you might have a case against the facility. A knowledgeable wrongful death attorney can tell you for sure, but if they can establish that your loved one died because of the actions of nursing home staff, then you can sue the facility for wrongful death.

Nursing homes are the highest level of residential care, with 24-7 nursing and medical care and attendants who help individuals with the tasks of daily life, such as bathing and grooming, eating, redirections and reminders, and assistance with mobility. Nursing homes also monitor the residents' medications, ensuring that they’re getting the proper dosages at the appropriate time.

Neglect and abuse in nursing homes are the main factors in wrongful deaths in Knox County nursing homes. Neglect takes several forms. Failing to help bed-bound patients rotate to avoid bedsores, lack of supervision that leads to frail seniors falling or getting into dangerous conditions, or failing to take proper care of those unable to care for themselves are common neglectful situations.

Malnutrition is another concern for nursing home residents. Assisted living and nursing homes are tasked with providing healthy, balanced meals that meet the nutritional needs of seniors. Staff in these homes should track residents’ meals to ensure they’re getting the proper nourishment. Failure to do so can worsen many medical conditions and make it difficult for nursing home residents to heal.

Many neglect and wrongful death cases in Knoxville nursing home residents are due to poorly trained staff or facilities without adequate staffing levels.

Nursing home abuse is more severe than neglect and can often lead to serious injury or even death of the victim. Abuse may be physical – you may notice that your loved one has more bruises or scratches or even suffers from broken bones or sprains. Emotional abuse is also common in nursing homes. If your loved one seems withdrawn or fearful of the nursing home staff, they may be subject to emotional abuse from the staff.

Many nursing home abuse lawyers, like the James Higgins, employ a team of professionals who investigate the living conditions in nursing homes. If your nursing home wrongful death lawyer finds that your loved one was abused or neglected in their Knox County nursing home, then they can file the applicable charges against them. The Tennessee Department of Health oversees nursing homes in the state and may revoke the licensure of nursing homes that violate state statutes.

Your attorney pursues action against the nursing home and can ensure that you get justice. They often file a wrongful death lawsuit, which holds the nursing home accountable.

James Higgins is a professional personal injury and nursing home wrongful death attorney serving clients across Knox County and the greater Knoxville area. With over 25 years of experience pursuing nursing home complaints and a team committed to getting justice for your loved one, you’re in no greater hands than his. Contact us today for a FREE personal consultation to discuss the death of your loved one.