There have been many issues with nursing homes across the United States for a long time. In many cases, the nursing home residents as well as the staff are not safe and need protection. In Virginia, there are approximately 30,000 people living in nursing homes and not nearly enough staff for all of those people.
Unfortunately for those people, Virginia has no standards for minimum staffing in nursing homes. The state’s General Assembly has been approached for many years about establishing a minimum staffing standard, which has not happened until now. However, the House of Delegates Committee, which is a part of the Health, Welfare and Institutions, is now responsible for House Bill 646, which deals with nursing home staffing. The bill is currently under consideration.
There is great potential for harm in nursing homes
There is a multitude of issues in nursing homes that can cause harm to the residents and to the staff, such as too little training; too few staff; inadequate treatment, which can lead to infections; and the residents developing pressure sores.
Virginia’s almost 30,000 nursing-home residents live in approximately 287 nursing homes. Of those nursing homes, 155 scored “much below average” and “below average” for staffing, according to a study from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Because there is no established standard in Virginia, there is no control by the government over what happens, which is potentially very dangerous.
The value of sound legal advice
If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of poor nursing home conditions or another issue, it may be very valuable for you to consult a knowledgeable lawyer who is an expert in nursing home issues. A Virginia lawyer can help if you or a loved one has been a victim of negligence or recklessness. You may need long- or short-term medical treatment as a result. The right advice may help you to obtain compensation that you have a right to and that you deserve so that you are able to live a decent, healthy life going forward.