The coronavirus pandemic has swept across the world and the United States and the elderly are some of the most vulnerable to the disease. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally recognized firm takes pride in our work to keep the elderly safe in nursing homes. Here, our nursing home abuse attorney wants to talk about how Covid-19 is affecting nursing homes, what steps are being taken to keep the elderly population safe, and how you can help in this effort.
The most vulnerable to Covid-19
As we have learned, those who are over the age of 60 are most at risk of becoming seriously ill due to coronavirus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also says that those with certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and a weakened immune system are also at high risk of becoming seriously ill due to Covid-19.
Our nursing homes are filled with elderly citizens that have those chronic health conditions. The first major outbreak of Covid-19 cases and deaths centered on a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington. Thankfully, both the federal government and state governments have implemented strict procedures designed to protect this vulnerable population.
Citing the roughly 2.5 million people living in nursing home residents in the US, governments have limited visitation, volunteers, and nonessential personnel at all nursing homes, with a few exceptions, such as end-of-life scenarios. Along with these restrictions on, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs also announced that they have adopted a “no visitors” policy at their more than 134 nursing homes across the US.
However, there is a chance that nursing homeowners and operators will not take this threat seriously. If your loved one is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you need to be sure they are taking the coronavirus outbreak seriously. If a nursing home does not follow proper procedures and patients become ill, then the nursing homeowners and operators could be held accountable. No family should have to worry about nursing home staff negligence, particularly in a time of national crisis.
Let us get to work on your case today
If your loved one is currently residing in a nursing home, we know that you are worried about their safety during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, you should know that nursing home staff and the government are taking steps to keep residents safe. At Colson Hicks Eidson, we are always here to help if you discover that your loved one has been abused in a nursing home. We will work to secure the compensation your loved one deserves, which can include:
- Coverage for medical expenses related to the abuse
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Relocation expenses
- Possible punitive damages against the abusers
If you need a nursing home abuse attorney in Florida or anywhere in the US, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.