The Newark bedsore injury attorneys of Nursing Home Law Center LLC are committed to defending the rights and interests of those who have been needlessly harmed due to the greed and negligence of the very nursing facilities meant to serve them. Pressure ulcers have become an alarming concern ever since for profit chains pervaded the industry and systematically reduced their staff levels in order to reduce their expenses. Those paying for these staff level reductions are the patients who suffer because overworked caregivers are not able to provide them with the attention that they need and deserve.
Newark is the largest city in New Jersey with a population of nearly 282,000 and its populace is economically and racially diverse with diversity among age groups as well. The senior population makes up 8.6% of the total with many residents aged 50 years and older preparing to enter their golden years.
Residents looking to remain mentally sharp and physically active or to maintain their independence despite limitations can look to the Essex County Division of Senior Services, which provides services ranging from adult day care and transportation services to nutrition programs, community outreach, financial counseling and social activities and events.
Newark’s proximity to New York City provides residents with plenty of options regarding senior services. There are 287 nursing homes within a 25 mile radius of the city, but over half of them have received concerning reports from Medicare regarding their histories. This makes the task of finding the right home for your loved one a daunting one when you are concerned about the growing reports of neglect and unfair treatment many elderly patients are being subjected to.
Our Newark pressure sore lawyers recommend using the nursing home compare tool provided by Medicare because it grades every single facility based on its health inspection record, staff levels, quality measures and whether it has been assessed any fines or denied federal payments. For example, a quick review of nursing homes in the area raises a red flag for the Pine Acres Convalescent Center, which has been subject to three fines over the last three years totaling more than $13,000.
To use the tool yourself, you can visit https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.
We have found that legislative changed and the influx of for profit nursing homes into the industry has combined over the last fifteen to twenty years to create the perfect storm for neglect. Lawmakers have drastically reduced funding for senior programs, making it more difficult for traditional non-profit nursing facilities to compete and deliver quality services to their patients. For profit businesses concern themselves primarily with profit, which is the motivation for severe staff cuts meant to reduce expenses.
When nursing staff members are undertrained, overworked and provided inadequate resources to perform their duties, they are more likely to ignore patients that do not have pressing needs. Those with mobility problems need only to be moved on a routine basis in order to prevent the development or worsening of pressure ulcers, but since they are not a high priority, these needs go ignored.
Over time, bedsores become open and decaying wounds that pose a high risk of infection. Once infected, it is challenging to treat the wound and infection simultaneously and many victims are admitted to the hospital with life threatening septic shock. The only way it is possible for these victims to go unnoticed for so long is when there is systemic neglect due to understaffing or inattention to patient needs.
Nursing Home Law Center LLC is a leading prosecutor of nursing home neglect and abuse cases and our experience and success allow us to ensure you have the greatest chance of recovering the damages you rightfully deserve. If your loved one has suffered due to a pressure ulcer, contact us today to arrange a free case review with a Newark bedsore injury attorney so we can investigate your claim and discuss your legal options. Should we be unable to secure compensation on your behalf, our services will be free of charge.
Should you have questions about New Jersey law related to pressure sores, view our page here.
If you are looking for an attorney to assist with the investigation or prosecution of a nursing home abuse case involving bed sores or other injury visit the pages below:
Attorney Deborah Gough
Licensed in New Jersey
Lawyer Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home