A resident at a Florida nursing home sat outside for hours during almost 100-degree heat without anyone at the facility realizing the man was missing. The man expired from dehydration and heatstroke. Yet, this isn’t the first time the facility has neglected a patient.
About Nursing Home Abuse
Each year in the United States, an estimated 2.1 million seniors are the victims of some form of abuse. Many elderly do not report the abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, abused elders die earlier than those who are well cared for. According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), the maltreatment and abuse of the elderly is a significant problem among the elderly population in America. It is more common in women over age 80. Abuse victims are at a 300 perfect increase of dying within three years. Unfortunately, only 1 out of every 6 elderly persons report the event.
Nursing Home Patient Dies
A kitchen manager at a nursing home facility stepped outside and noticed a resident in a wheelchair. When she notified the staff, a nurse came outside and tried to revive him by pressing on his sternum. The nurse made note that the man felt very hot to the touch. Then, the facility called emergency services. EMT noticed that the man had superficial burns from sitting outside. His temperature was 107 degrees. The firefighters applied cooling packs to the man in hopes of lowering his body temperature.
Video surveillance shows the man was outside for four hours.
Get Justice for a Loved One
If you suspect abuse or neglect, do not accept denials. Instead, contact a knowledgeable lawyer experienced with representing victims. When an abuser injures a resident at a care facility, it is not always obvious what happened and legal liability. The evidence available is often incomplete and may be self-serving for the defendant – the nursing home. This is why a free consultation with us is so important. We have been assisting the injured for 20 years. We help clients from all over the country. Our consultations are completely free. Call today.