Understaffing is a serious problem in nursing homes throughout the country. Residents rely on staff members to meet their needs, and when caregivers are absent or undertrained, it can lead to serious harm.
If you or a loved one suffered from neglect in a Rock Hill nursing home, you might benefit from the guidance of a local personal injury attorney. They could take you through the step-by-step process of holding the negligent facility accountable. They could stand up for your rights as a resident and advocate on your behalf. Call today and discover all the ways that a Rock Hill nursing home understaffing lawyer could help.
Nursing Home Resident Rights
Before 1987, there was widespread abuse and neglect in nursing homes across the United States. Congress responded to these reports by enacting 42 U.S.C. §1395i-3, also known as the Nursing Home Reform Act. The Act sought to rectify the neglectful practices in senior care facilities, and it establishes a “bill of rights” for residents.
The Act requires that nursing homes protect and promote each resident’s rights, and many states have followed suit with their own legislation. Some of the rights granted by the Nursing Home Reform Act include:
- The right to be free from abuse and neglect
- The right to be treated with respect and dignity
- The right to request, refuse or discontinue treatment
- The right to be fully informed
- The right to place grievances without actual or fear of retaliation
- The right to have access to medical records
- The right to have access to social and religious activities
- The right to privacy
For a free legal consultation with a Rock Hill Nursing Home Understaffing Lawyer call 1-803-366-0333
Federal Regulations that Impact Nursing Home Understaffing in Rock Hill
The Nursing Home Reform Act also provides extensive regulations on nursing home facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid. Regulations range from how to treat and care for the patients themselves to ensuring a healthy environment.
Nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid must comply with these federal regulations. Providing sufficient staff is expressly included in the requirements for long term care facilities under 42 CFR §483.30. An understaffed nursing home in Rock Hill would be in violation of the Act.
Nursing homes are required to develop care plans for each resident. In addition to these plans, nursing home staff must ensure that residents do not develop bedsores, have the appropriate treatment for vision and hearing, and must prevent the deterioration of a resident’s ability to groom themselves, use the restroom, and eat.
Rock Hill Understaffing Lawyer Near Me 1-803-366-0333
How a Rock Hill Nursing Home Understaffing Attorney Could Help
Living in an understaffed senior care facility can be a challenging experience. It can be hard to live without the treatment and support that you need for a healthy life. Even worse, you may be unsure where to turn to have your needs met.
A Rock Hill nursing home understaffing lawyer could be there to help. Fighting for your legal rights by yourself could present obstacles that might be hard to overcome without a legal professional assisting you. Determining your rights and pursuing legal action could be complicated and require meticulous attention to paperwork and deadlines. An attorney could provide the dedicated support it takes to bring your claim to fruition. Reach out to Schiller & Hamilton today to discuss your case.
Call or text 1-803-366-0333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form