Prosecutors Allege Neglect By Nurse Led to Resident Death in Riverside Nursing Home
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (December 1, 2024) – A registered nurse has been charged for the death of a 69-year-old nursing home resident in Riverside.
Riverside County officials are saying that the nursing home resident was a 69-year-old woman. She developed gangrene prior to dying.
The nurse involved pleaded not guilty to a charge of elder abuse resulting in great bodily injury. She could face 10 years in prison if convicted.
A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.
Legal Considerations for Riverside County Nursing Home Deaths
Abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities remains extraordinarily common. According to the World Health Organization, “Around 1 in 6 people 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in community settings during the past year. Rates of abuse of older people are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year.” There are a number of steps that nursing homes should take in order to prevent abuse and neglect.
- Nursing homes should thoroughly screen all potential employees for their criminal history.
- Nursing homes should develop and enforce clear codes of conduct with respect to what constitutes abuse and neglect.
- Nursing homes should have clear reporting protocols if abuse is identified.
- Nursing homes should have adequate staffing levels at all times.
Nursing homes have a legal obligation to protect all residents from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protection from gangrene, bedsores, and other common ailments. These ailments are nearly always the result of a lack of supervision or medical care. In many situations, there simply aren’t enough staff at nursing homes to give all residents the individualized care that they need. It is crucial that evidence is properly preserved after any nursing home death.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be sought.
- The history of abuse allegations at a facility should be understood.
Abuse and neglect virtually never occur in isolation. Nursing home resident deaths are often not the result of the wrongful actions of a single person. They tend to also involve systematic failures on the part of a facility. This may include instances where staff are poorly trained to identify infections. When a nursing home is negligent and causes the death of a resident, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Riverside County Nursing Home Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman who died in this Riverside County nursing home. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.
Do you need more information about a nursing home death in Riverside County? Our team of nursing home abuse attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that nursing home residents are aware of their rights and that nursing homes are held to account for abuse. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we may be able to assist you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.
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