When a loved one moves into a nursing home, families hope for attentive care, timely help, and dignity. But many facilities are chronically understaffed, creating unsafe conditions where even basic needs go unmet.

This isn’t just a business decision. It’s a form of systemic neglect—and in many cases, it’s avoidable.

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we represent families whose loved ones have suffered due to nursing homes prioritizing profits over people.

Why Nursing Homes Are So Often Understaffed

Nursing homes are legally obligated to maintain adequate staffing to care for residents safely. So why are so many still failing to do so?

The reasons are complex—and disturbing:

• Corporate cost-cutting: Many facilities are run by large corporations that slash budgets to maximize profits, often reducing staff as the first move.
• High turnover: Overworked and underpaid nurses and aides frequently quit, leaving gaps in coverage.
• Lack of enforcement: Regulatory agencies struggle to monitor staffing levels across hundreds of facilities.
• Unrealistic ratios: In some homes, a single caregiver is assigned to 20+ residents, far beyond what is manageable.
• Improper scheduling: Staff may be forced to work double shifts, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and mistakes.

In short, understaffing isn’t an accident—it’s often a calculated risk that leaves residents vulnerable.

The Human Cost of Understaffing

When facilities operate with too few caregivers, the consequences are immediate and profound:

• Missed medications: Life-saving drugs may be skipped or administered late, leading to seizures, blood pressure spikes, or infections.
• Delayed responses to emergencies: If no one is available to help, a resident who falls or experiences chest pain may go unattended for hours.
• Bedsores and infections: Immobile residents need repositioning every few hours to prevent ulcers. Without staff to do this, bedsores form and worsen.
• Poor hygiene and living conditions: Residents may be left in soiled clothing, unbathed, or living in unclean rooms.
• Malnutrition and dehydration: Staff shortages often mean no one is available to help with meals or fluid intake.
• Emotional distress and isolation: Without human contact and engagement, residents may become depressed, withdrawn, or anxious.

These aren’t theoretical harms. They’re real, painful, and all too common in Wisconsin facilities.

Recognizing the Signs: What Families Should Watch For

Most families don’t know a facility is understaffed until it’s too late. But there are warning signs, especially during visits:

• Long delays when residents use call buttons
• Visible signs of exhaustion or frustration in staff
• Missed doctor appointments or treatments
• Residents appearing disheveled, confused, or neglected
• Unchanged bedding, dirty rooms, or foul odors
• Repeated falls, infections, or hospital visits
• Staff avoiding your questions or rushing conversations
• Loved ones seeming isolated, depressed, or afraid

Trust your instincts. If you feel your loved one isn’t receiving proper attention, you’re probably right.

What the Law Requires – and What Facilities Often Violate

Under federal law (42 CFR § 483), nursing homes must have “sufficient nursing staff” to meet each resident’s needs. In Wisconsin, this includes providing:

• At least 2.5 hours of direct care per resident per day, with variations depending on acuity
• Qualified RNs, LPNs, and CNAs available around the clock
• Enough staff to provide medications, hygiene, nutrition, and emergency care

When these standards aren’t met, and a resident suffers harm, that facility may be liable for negligence or elder abuse.

Building a Legal Case Against Understaffing

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we don’t just take a facility’s word for it. We gather hard evidence to show the full extent of neglect:

• Requesting staffing schedules and timecards
• Interviewing former employees about working conditions
• Reviewing care logs to identify missed treatments or meals
• Using expert witnesses to prove inadequate care contributed to injury
• Documenting patterns of neglect tied directly to staff shortages

These cases often reveal widespread violations—not just one mistake. And that’s how we hold corporate operators accountable.

Real Consequences, Real Compensation

If your loved one was injured, became ill, or passed away due to understaffing, we fight to recover damages such as:

• Medical expenses and emergency treatment costs
• Pain and suffering experienced by the resident
• Emotional distress of the family
• Cost of transferring to a safer facility
• In some cases, punitive damages for reckless neglect

Beyond financial recovery, our goal is justice: forcing negligent facilities to improve conditions or face serious legal consequences.

You Are Not Alone – We’ll Stand With You

Families often feel overwhelmed or unsure when confronting a nursing home. But you don’t have to do it alone.

At Michael Hill Trial Law, we’ve helped countless families get answers, find closure, and secure justice for their loved ones. We approach each case with compassion, skill, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from neglect due to understaffing, reach out. We’ll investigate, advocate, and fight to make things right.