Inadequate Infection Control

Nursing homes are expected to provide safe environments for their residents, which includes following strict protocols to prevent the spread of infections. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for nursing homes to fail to implement sufficient infection control measures, placing residents at heightened risk for preventable infections, which can lead to severe health complications and even death. Inadequate infection control in nursing homes is often the result of negligence. Facilities, that fail to protect their residents from avoidable infections, should be held accountable. If you or a loved one contracted an infection in a nursing home due to insufficient infection prevention practices, it is in your best interest to consult an attorney. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, P.C., is a knowledgeable Rockland County nursing home negligence attorney who is committed to helping clients seek justice for their losses, and if she represents you, she will tirelessly pursue compensation for the harm you endured. Ms. Crown regularly represents people in the pursuit of negligence claims against nursing home negligence in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties, and in the greater metropolitan area.

Inadequate infection control in nursing homes poses severe risks, particularly for elderly residents with compromised immune systems or pre-existing health conditions. Nursing home infections often arise from unsanitary conditions, poor hygiene among staff, lack of proper handwashing protocols, and failure to isolate infected residents. Common infections in nursing homes include respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections, all of which can escalate quickly if not promptly managed.

Without adequate infection control, what begins as a minor infection can rapidly worsen, leading to conditions like sepsis, pneumonia, or other severe complications. Inadequate infection control also allows for the spread of contagious infections like COVID-19, influenza, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, creating an unsafe environment for all residents. These infections can lead to prolonged suffering, increased medical expenses, hospitalization, or, in severe cases, death.

State and federal regulations dictate that nursing homes must provide care that aligns with established health and safety standards to protect residents from preventable harm, including infections. When nursing homes fail to meet these standards, they can be held legally liable for resulting harm. Most plaintiffs, pursuing claims arising out of inadequate infection control, will argue that the defendant nursing home acted negligently.

In order to establish negligence under New York law, a plaintiff has to show that the nursing home owed the plaintiff a duty and that it breached the duty owed. Generally, the duty owed is to comply with the standard of care imposed by state and federal guidelines. Next, the plaintiff needs to demonstrate that the defendant’s breach directly caused the plaintiff’s subsequent harm. Expert witnesses are often instrumental in these cases to outline the expected infection control practices in nursing homes, as well as the ways in which the defendant facility fell short of these standards.

If successful, plaintiffs may be awarded compensation for pain and suffering as well as medical expenses, and other related damages resulting from the infection. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded as well, especially if the nursing home’s conduct was grossly negligent or reckless.

When nursing homes fail to provide adequate infection control and residents suffer as a result, families have the right to seek justice and financial compensation for their loved one’s pain, suffering, and medical costs. If you believe that a nursing home’s negligent practices led to an infection or worsened your loved one’s condition, you should speak to an attorney about your potential claims. Valerie Crown, of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, P.C., is an experienced Rockland County nursing home negligence attorney with the skills needed to hold negligent nursing homes liable, and if you hire her, she will help you seek a favorable outcome. Valerie Crown routinely assists people in nursing home negligence cases in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties, and in the greater metropolitan area. You can reach Valerie through the online form or by calling her office at 845-708-5900 or her direct cellphone where she is available 24/7 at 845-598-8253 to schedule a confidential meeting.