When Neglect Turns Deadly, Families Deserve Answers—and Justice

For elderly nursing home residents, infections pose a constant and deadly risk. Their immune systems are weaker, their mobility is limited, and they often rely on staff for basic hygiene and wound care. When facilities fail to meet these needs, infections can spread rapidly—causing immense suffering, hospitalization, and even death.

What’s most devastating is that most of these infections are entirely preventable. They don’t happen because a resident is sickly or weak. They happen because someone failed to wash their hands, clean a wound, sanitize equipment, or report a fever.

At our firm, we represent families who are seeking accountability after a loved one has endured a preventable infection. We expose patterns of neglect, investigate unsafe practices, and pursue justice for those whose trust was violated in the most basic and harmful way.

The Most Common Nursing Home Infections

Nursing homes are uniquely vulnerable to infections due to shared living spaces, compromised immune systems, and close staff-resident contact. The most commonly reported infections include:

1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):

• Often caused by improper catheter care or poor hygiene
• Can lead to delirium, sepsis, or kidney infections if untreated

2. Respiratory Infections:

• Including pneumonia, bronchitis, and influenza
• Can spread quickly in poorly ventilated or overcrowded facilities

3. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections:

• Arise from bedsores, cuts, or surgical wounds
• Require careful wound care and frequent inspection

4. Gastrointestinal Infections:

• Often due to unsanitary food handling or contaminated water
• Norovirus and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) are common and highly contagious

5. Sepsis:

• A severe, life-threatening reaction to infection that can lead to organ failure
• Requires immediate hospitalization and intensive treatment

These infections don’t just threaten health—they end lives. And when they happen because a facility was careless, someone needs to be held responsible.

How Do Infections Spread in Nursing Homes?

Infections rarely spread by accident. They’re often a sign of deep operational failure within the facility. Common contributors include:

• Lack of proper handwashing by staff
• Improper use or reuse of medical equipment
• Neglecting wound care or catheter protocols
• Ignoring early signs of infection like fever or swelling
• Inadequate laundry and cleaning practices
• Failure to isolate infected residents
• Underreporting or delaying treatment of symptoms

Understaffed and poorly managed nursing homes may skip daily hygiene routines, miss documentation, or ignore residents’ complaints—allowing infections to fester and spread undetected.

The Human Cost of Infection-Related Neglect

The consequences of infections go beyond discomfort. Many result in:

• Extended hospital stays
• Long-term disability or complications
• Painful medical procedures
• Emotional trauma
• Premature death

For elderly residents, even treatable infections can spiral into a medical crisis if not addressed early. Families are often left with crushing guilt, wondering what went wrong—and whether anything could have been done to prevent the suffering.

In many cases, the answer is yes.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Even if you're not present every day, there are red flags that may suggest your loved one is suffering from a preventable infection:

• Sudden changes in mental state or confusion
• Fever, chills, or excessive sweating
• Foul odors from wounds or catheters
• Redness, swelling, or drainage at wound sites
• Persistent cough or breathing difficulties
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Staff reluctance to provide medical updates

If your loved one is hospitalized and the facility downplays the cause, request full medical records and an independent physician review. Do not accept vague explanations when your family member’s health is at risk.

Legal Rights After an Infection in a Nursing Home

If a loved one has suffered or died due to a preventable infection, you may be entitled to pursue a nursing home negligence claim. These cases are typically based on:

• Failure to meet the standard of care
• Failure to diagnose or treat the infection in time
• Failure to implement proper infection control policies
• Chronic understaffing or unqualified care providers

We work with medical experts, infectious disease specialists, and long-term care investigators to determine what went wrong—and build a case for justice.

Compensation in these cases may cover:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Costs related to hospitalization or hospice care
• Funeral expenses
• Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)

Holding Nursing Homes Accountable for Preventable Suffering

Infection-related injuries and deaths in nursing homes are not inevitable. They are often the result of choices—bad policies, cost-cutting measures, ignored warnings, and negligent care.

At our firm, we believe that every resident deserves dignity, safety, and timely medical care. When a nursing home fails to provide that, we step in to demand accountability.

If your loved one suffered from an infection while in a nursing home, don’t settle for excuses. Contact us today to learn your legal options and take the first step toward justice.