Dehydration in Virginia Nursing Homes
For many families in Virginia, nursing homes play a key role in maintaining the health and well-being of family members. This often comes at a high monthly cost, and yet, unfortunately, nursing home neglect does happen. One major form of neglect is dehydration in Virginia nursing homes.
If your loved one appears dehydrated, it is best to contact a Virginia personal injury attorney who can help you form a strong legal case. With their help, you and your loved one may be compensated for their suffering.
Warning Signs of Dehydration
Dehydration can produce distinctive symptoms that can clue you into the fact that your loved one is not receiving enough water. Examples of warning signs include:
- Darkened urine
- Thirstiness
- Dizzy spells
- Feeling faint
- Dryness of the skin
- Dryness of the mouth
Even before contacting a personal injury lawyer, the first step in a case of dehydration in Virginia nursing homes should be to get the victim to medical care as quickly as possible. This is especially true if the dehydration is more advanced, which can lead to severe symptoms like vomiting and seizures.
Common Causes of Dehydration
A nursing home resident can become dehydrated for several different reasons. The most obvious is a sudden lessening of the water or fluids they drink, either due to personal preference or lack of access to water. Many nursing home residents also take medication, and some medications may feature dehydration as a side effect. If nursing home staff does not take this into account or fails to understand these side effects, the resident may become dehydrated.
Changes in the body also can cause dehydration in Virginia nursing homes, whether due to residents getting older and having medical issues with their kidneys or due to them becoming ill and being unable to drink. Regardless of the cause, families pay for nursing home staff to take care of their loved ones, so a loved one becoming dehydrated may be a sign of neglect. In some cases, a decrease in nursing home staff may lead to an understaffed situation that makes negligence more probable.
Recovering Compensation in Nursing Home Neglect Cases
Cases of dehydration in Virginia nursing homes can lead to severe injuries and, in some cases, even death. Consequently, there is a wide variety of compensation that is available to victims and their family members. If the nursing home resident files a lawsuit on their own behalf, they can be compensated for items like medical costs related to the dehydration and subsequent health issues as well as their own pain and suffering.
However, if the victim of dehydration passes away, their family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. In these situations, the family can work with a Virginia personal injury attorney to fight for compensation for medical expenses prior to the loved one’s death, funeral expenses, the victim’s pain and suffering prior to death, and the family’s loss.
The Importance of Lawyers in Virginia Nursing Home Dehydration Cases
It is vital to have assistance from an experienced Virginia personal injury attorney when dealing with a case of dehydration in Virginia nursing homes. With their knowledge and experience, they may be able to help victim and family members use any of the three main methods for recovering compensation:
- Settlement
- Mediation
- Trial
While nursing home neglect cases may settle before trial, but it is still important to utilize the skills of a Virginia personal injury lawyer. They may be able to help gather evidence, verify medical claims, bring in expert witnesses, and argue for the maximum compensation for you and your family. If you know someone who is a victim of dehydration in Virginia nursing homes, call a local personal injury attorney today.