When families entrust the care of a loved one to a nursing home, they do so with the expectation that the facility will provide appropriate medical oversight and attention to their family member’s health. Many residents enter nursing homes with pre-existing medical conditions that require consistent evaluation, timely intervention, and skilled management. Unfortunately, the failure to monitor chronic conditions in nursing homes is an all-too-common problem that places residents at serious risk of avoidable complications, hospitalizations, and even death. When nursing homes fail to properly monitor and respond to chronic health issues, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to the failure to monitor chronic conditions in a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation, and you should seek the advice of a lawyer. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, P.C., is a dedicated Rockland County nursing home negligence attorney who understands the devastating consequences of such neglect, and if you hire her, she will work tirelessly to pursue justice and accountability on your behalf. Ms. Crown represents clients throughout Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and Putnam Counties, as well as in the greater metropolitan area.
Understanding the Dangers of Failing to Monitor Chronic ConditionsThe failure to monitor chronic conditions in nursing homes poses significant health risks to vulnerable residents. Many chronic illnesses require daily or even hourly assessment, and nursing home staff must be trained to observe symptoms, document changes, administer medications properly, and notify physicians when concerning developments occur.
When residents with diabetes are not closely monitored, they may experience dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar levels that can result in hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Residents with heart disease may suffer from preventable strokes, heart attacks, or fluid overload if their blood pressure or heart rate is not consistently tracked and managed. Similarly, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma require routine observation for signs of respiratory distress and prompt access to breathing treatments or oxygen therapy.
When nursing homes fail in their duty to monitor these conditions, residents are left vulnerable to worsening symptoms, avoidable medical emergencies, and long-term decline. Often, this neglect occurs because facilities are understaffed, fail to adhere to individualized care plans, or lack adequate training protocols. In some cases, necessary medications are missed, lab results are ignored, or critical signs of deterioration are not communicated to the proper medical personnel. This kind of neglect is not only dangerous but may also constitute a violation of state and federal regulations governing the standard of care in long-term care facilities.
Liability for the Failure to Monitor Chronic Conditions in Nursing HomesUnder New York law, nursing homes have a legal duty to provide residents with care that meets accepted medical and professional standards. This includes the obligation to monitor and manage chronic health conditions in a timely and appropriate manner. When a facility fails to meet this duty, and a resident suffers harm as a result, the nursing home may be held liable for negligence.
To establish liability for the failure to monitor chronic conditions in nursing homes, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the nursing home owed the resident a duty of care, breached that duty by failing to monitor the resident’s chronic condition appropriately, and that the breach directly caused the resident’s injuries. Common breaches may include failing to conduct regular assessments, disregarding vital sign changes, delaying physician notification, or improperly managing medications related to a chronic diagnosis. Proving causation often requires medical expert testimony to show how the nursing home’s failure to act or respond resulted in the harm in question.
Residents or their families may recover damages for a wide range of losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, the loss of enjoyment of life, and the costs of additional medical treatment. If a resident dies because of the facility’s negligence, their family may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Consult a Compassionate Rockland County Nursing Home Negligence AttorneyFamilies deserve to know that their loved ones will receive proper care, and when facilities betray that trust through neglect or inattention, legal action may be the only way to achieve justice. If you or someone you love has been harmed due to the failure to monitor chronic conditions in a nursing home, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, P.C., is a compassionate and experienced Rockland County nursing home negligence attorney, who is committed to holding negligent facilities accountable and helping injured residents recover the compensation they deserve, and if you hire her, she will fight tirelessly on your behalf. Ms. Crown represents clients in nursing home negligence lawsuits in Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and Putnam Counties, as well as in the greater New York metropolitan area. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, you can complete our online form, contact Ms. Crown’s office at 845-708-5900, or reach her directly at 845-598-8253, where she is available 24/7 to discuss your case.