Albuquerque Overmedication in Nursing Home Lawyer

Sometimes, your senior loved one requires a higher level of care than you have the time or resources to provide at home. Nursing homes often fill that role by providing a safe and comfortable environment for older adults. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes take the safety of residents as seriously as they should. When someone is harmed through the improper dosage of medications, family members can hire an Albuquerque overmedication in nursing home lawyer.

If your loved one has been harmed due to overmedication or died as the result of improper drug doses, you need experienced legal representation who can hold the at-fault party accountable. Since 1966, our founding attorney has taken a personal approach to personal injury cases by carefully getting to know the victims of neglect or misconduct. Our client-focused approach has helped the Branch Law Firm grow into a respected and reputable law firm serving Albuquerque.

Why Trust the Branch Law Firm

The Branch Law Firm’s reputation has become synonymous with high-quality legal representation. Our founding lawyer has extensive experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

We understand the profound impact that overmedication and other forms of mistreatment can have on both individuals and their families. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that victims of nursing home overmedication receive the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case, and you only pay once we successfully recover compensation for you.

Common Causes of Overmedication

One cause of overmedication in nursing homes is over-reliance on sedatives, pain relievers, and psychoactive drugs to manage patients’ behaviors. Sometimes, nursing home staffers over-rely on medications rather than addressing the root causes of their resident’s distress.

Medications are sometimes overused to restrain or pacify residents, especially in understaffed facilities where individual care is challenging to provide. When medications are not administered for their intended purposes, residents can suffer the consequences.

Side effects of overmedication can range from dizziness and confusion to more serious health risks such as seizures, adverse drug reactions, or even death. Overmedication can also lead to physical injuries like falls, fractures, and other complications that drastically impact a resident’s quality of life.

Seniors with dementia may have adverse reactions to antipsychotic drugs if those drugs are not carefully prescribed and dosed. Some drugs can even exacerbate anxiety, confusion, agitation, and disorientation in seniors.  Over time, the patient may become withdrawn, fatigued, and fearful, showing a significant decline in their overall well-being.

Poor training and lack of oversight in nursing homes are also major contributors to overmedication. Caregivers may not be properly informed about the risks and side effects of the drugs they administer or may not closely monitor their patients for adverse reactions. In other cases, the wrong drug may be administered, or the nursing home staff may make a serious dosing error.

Legal Recourses Following Nursing Home Overmedication

New Mexico allows individuals who were injured due to the negligence or misconduct of someone else to file a personal injury claim seeking damages from the at-fault party. The first step when seeking compensation is to hire an attorney who understands the state’s personal injury laws and how to seek justice for seniors who were overmedicated or given the wrong medication.

To qualify for damages, there must be proof that the senior was injured and suffered harm as a result of the medication. There must be a clear defendant who was responsible for preventing the injury from occurring. Once your attorney has sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant is at fault for causing the injury, the next step may be to seek compensation.

If wrongdoing is determined, the injured senior or their representative family members may receive compensation from the nursing home’s insurance company. Reaching a settlement agreement between parties may resolve the matter without the need to go to court.

In cases where the defendant does not offer a fair settlement or is underinsured, the plaintiff’s attorney can take direct legal action by filing a personal injury case in court. In cases where there is a wrongful death, surviving family members can seek compensation on behalf of their deceased loved one.

FAQs

What Is the Biggest Complaint in Nursing Homes?

The biggest complaint in nursing homes often revolves around neglect, including inadequate staffing, poor hygiene, and lack of timely assistance. Residents may experience issues like insufficient care, unmet medical needs, or improper medication management. Family members also frequently report concerns about communication, safety, and the emotional well-being of their loved ones in these facilities.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, you have three years to file a personal injury claim. This is known as the statute of limitations, and missing this important deadline could mean that you are no longer able to seek compensation through the court system. If you have questions about important filing deadlines, an attorney can review your case to see what your legal options are.

What Is the Most Common Type of Mistreatment in Nursing Homes?

Neglect is the most common type of mistreatment in nursing homes and assisted living centers. This includes failing to provide basic needs like proper hygiene, nutrition, medical care, and attention to residents’ safety. Neglect can result in bedsores, dehydration, malnutrition, and poor overall health, putting vulnerable residents at significant risk of harm and declining well-being.

What Is the Most Common Crime at Nursing Homes?

The most common crime at nursing homes is elder abuse, which can include physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Financial exploitation, such as theft or misuse of a resident’s funds, is particularly prevalent. Other crimes may involve neglect, where staff fail to provide adequate care, leading to serious health risks for residents.

Schedule Your Albuquerque Overmedication Attorney Consultation Today

If your senior loved one was injured or gravely harmed due to the misconduct of a nursing home employee, you can hire an attorney to hold the at-fault party accountable. With legal representation, your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement to compensate for damages.

The Branch Law Firm has represented injured nursing home seniors or their representative relatives for many decades. We have a strong reputation for putting the interests of our clients first and never stopping until justice is served. To schedule your consultation, contact our office today.