Virginia Nursing Home Heat Stroke Injuries Lawyer

Virginia summers can be hot and humid, and during the warmer months, nursing homes must take measures to ensure their patients do not sustain heat-related injuries. Older individuals and those in ill health are far more likely than younger, healthier individuals to sustain heat strokes in high temperatures.

Heat strokes can be deadly, and they are often accompanied by medical conditions such as seizures and brain damage. For this reason, nursing homes must ensure residents are air-conditioned, properly hydrated, and adequately shaded during heatwaves and the summer.

Nursing homes that refuse to take these measures should be held legally accountable if their patients experience heat strokes. A Virginia nursing home heat stroke injuries lawyer may be able to help stroke survivors and their families obtain compensation from these negligent facilities. Reach out to a compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer today.

What Causes a Heat Stroke?

According to the official Virginia government website, the temperature can easily reach the high 80s and low 90s during the summer months. This means that temperatures inside buildings with no air conditioning and little shade can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Such temperatures can be dangerous to anyone, especially older individuals and those in frail health.

Medically, a person is likely to sustain a heat stroke when their body temperature reaches 104 degrees for an extended period of time. Once this occurs, a person can begin to experience various medical complications if they are not treated immediately and effectively.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heat Stroke

A nursing home is a medical facility, and its employees should be trained to notice the symptoms and signs of a heat stroke. They should also know what steps to take if they notice a patient exhibiting these signs. In most cases, a person suffering a heat stroke may show the following symptoms:

  • A decrease in or complete absence of sweat
  • Flushed red skin
  • High body temperature
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid resting pulse rate

As mentioned above, older individuals are at a much higher risk of having a heat stroke. If a patient complains of being hot, nursing home staff members should take their complaints seriously and do whatever is necessary to keep them safe.

If a person suffers a heat stroke in a nursing home, a Virginia nursing home heat stroke injuries lawyer may be able to help them obtain compensation for their medical bills and suffering.

Power Outages and Outdoor Activity

Heat strokes often occur during power outages and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Nursing homes should have plans in place to remedy such a situation, and if necessary, and if they cannot restore power, they should transfer their patients to a safer location.

To prevent heat strokes and other medical disasters, most nursing home facilities (and medical facilities in general) utilize emergency generators.

Not all heat strokes take place indoors. On hot, sunny days, residents may be tempted to sit or walk around outside. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if residents are healthy enough to enjoy the outdoors, but nursing home employees should provide an adequate amount of supervision and take action if a resident shows signs of a heat stroke.

How a Virginia Nursing Home Heat Stroke Injuries Attorney Could Help

A heat stroke is a serious medical event, and if not treated properly, it can lead to death or permanent disability. Since older individuals are more susceptible to heat strokes, their caregivers should take special precautions to keep them safe, cool, and hydrated on especially hot days.

Most heat strokes are preventable, especially in nursing homes, and survivors may be able to hold negligent facilities accountable. Contact a Virginia nursing home heat stroke injuries lawyer today to discuss your case.