Malnutrition & Dehydration

Washington DC Malnutrition And Dehydration Attorney

The elderly are always at risk for malnutrition and dehydration, simply because their bodily systems no longer function at the same capacity as they once did. However, for those who are patients in a nursing home, and depend on others for their care — proper nutrition and water become even more important. Unfortunately, there are far too many cases of malnutrition and dehydration in today’s nursing homes across Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland. For these individuals, not receiving nourishment and hydration can result in serious and even deadly consequences.

How Does This Happen In Nursing Homes In Washington, D.C., Virginia Or Maryland?

In the majority of cases, malnutrition and dehydration in nursing homes are not the result of malicious intent on behalf of the staff. Instead, it is more likely that the nursing home is understaffed or has not properly screened or trained employees. This can result in:

  • Forgetting to bring meals/liquids to a resident
  • Providing food that lacks essential nutritional value
  • Not monitoring how much the patient actually eats or drinks
  • Not assisting patients who cannot feed themselves

Regardless of why the malnutrition or dehydration occurred, the nursing home is always responsible for the health and well-being of its patients. So if your loved one has suffered from not having enough food, nutrients or water while in a nursing home, you have a right to bring a legal claim.

Holding Nursing Homes Responsible For Negligence

At The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Downey, P.C., we help elderly clients and their family members bring legal claims against nursing homes due to negligence or abuse. This includes cases involving malnutrition and dehydration. There are a range of signs and symptoms to indicate your family member is not receiving adequate nutrition or hydration. If you suspect anything, it is important to take immediate action. Speak with the nursing home administrator. Demand immediate medical attention for your loved one. Document everything you see and all communications with the nursing home staff. And contact our law firm as soon as you can.

Nursing homes and their insurance companies will attempt a range of tactics to deny liability or minimize responsibility. The sooner our law firm can get involved, the better chance we have of proving your claim, securing the compensation you deserve and pushing for sanctions against the facility.

Contact Us Today To Discuss Your Case

Our nursing home malnutrition and dehydration lawyers are ready to help your family. Contact us at 703-564-7318 for a free case evaluation.