Dehydration and Malnutrition in New Jersey Nursing Homes

Dehydration and malnutrition in New Jersey nursing homes can put seniors at risk of serious health complications. These can be unavoidable effects of other illnesses, but they can also happen because of inadequate care in the nursing home. When this happens, the nursing home resident or their family could be able to file a lawsuit. A nursing home abuse attorney could help you determine whether this is a good option and guide you through the entire process.

Can Families Sue for Dehydration and Malnutrition in a Nursing Home?

Dehydration and malnutrition can happen for a variety of reasons. If neglect, understaffing, or insufficient care caused the nursing home resident in New Jersey to become dehydrated or malnourished, they would likely have grounds for a case. Some situations can be less clear-cut. For example, if the resident is not eating because they find the nursing home’s food unappealing, they probably would not have a case. However, if the food initially worked for the resident but changes in the food options made it harder for them to meet their nutritional needs, they could have a case if the nursing home did not try to provide a solution.

In general, the nursing home resident or their family would need to prove that the nursing home was negligent to file a lawsuit. This means that the facility did not take reasonable measures to protect its residents’ health and safety. If this happens and causes an injury of some kind, the resident can sue. For example, if a resident needed help with eating and the nursing home was aware of this and did not assign an employer to do this, it could be considered negligent.

In most cases, the nursing home itself would be liable even if an individual employee was the negligent one. Usually, when an employee is negligent while doing their job, the employer is vicariously liable for the employee’s actions. This can be good for the injured person because the facility is more likely than an individual to have the funds to pay out compensation.

What Compensation Could Be Awarded in a Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit?

Damages for dehydration or malnutrition in a nursing home in New Jersey fall into two categories, economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover specific costs the nursing home resident needs to pay because of their mistreatment. For example, this can include hospital bills, the cost of moving to a new nursing home, and the cost of any other care services the person needs to fully recover. Non-economic damages are compensation for losses that are not financial, like pain and suffering or emotional distress. Not getting enough water or nutrition can cause lasting trauma and make it more difficult to feel comfortable in a nursing home in the future.

Discuss Your Dehydration and Malnutrition Case With a New Jersey Injury Attorney Today

Dealing with neglect yourself or finding out that a loved one is not receiving enough water or nutrients can be devastating. Dehydration and malnutrition in New Jersey nursing homes is a serious problem for many seniors. Depending on the details of your situation, you may be able to file a lawsuit to hold the nursing home accountable and pay for your future medical needs. An attorney can help with this process. Schedule a free consultation with one of our injury attorneys at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq to review your case today.