Nursing homes in Florida may contain various types of diseases

Boca Raton, FL – Nursing homes are known to be places where elderly and vulnerable individuals may experience serious problems due to shortcomings within the facility. One serious problem that can be tied to improper sanitation and other improper health guidelines is an outbreak of a viral or bacterial illness. Elderly people can become extremely sick or even experience a fatal illness from these issues while staying in a facility. 

How do diseases spread within a nursing home?

There are many strains of diseases that can live on infected surfaces or spread due to improper hygiene measures from the staff and administration. Some bacterial illnesses such as C. diff and E. Coli can cause digestive problems and result in dehydration. These bacteria are also highly contagious, and they can easily spread through an entire nursing home once one or two people become infected in close quarters. 

Salmonella is another regular problem in nursing homes that inadvertently serve their patients contaminated food. This bacteria causes gastrointestinal problems and is contagious. There have been documented cases of elderly individuals experiencing fatal cases of Salmonella due to their weakened state. There is another bacterial illness called Shigella that results in similar symptoms to Salmonella and is also generally transmitted through food. 

Norovirus is another contagious disease that results in digestive problems. This is a very common illness that spreads through food and places where people are living in close contact with each other. The very young and very old are at risk from developing fatal complications due the effects of norovirus on the digestive system.  

Lawsuits after contracting an illness

If a victim requires additional medical treatment or passes away due to these kinds of illnesses, the person or their family can bring a civil case against the facility. All nursing homes are supposed to follow certain guidelines to keep their residents safe and free from diseases. Violations of these guidelines can result in severe health consequences and legal action. 

Nursing homes are required to be inspected by government agencies for compliance with sanitation guidelines and other important issues. However, even homes that are in violation of some of these guidelines are often only fined or sanctioned and given long periods of time to correct their problems. During these probationary periods, residents in the facilities may still suffer. 

Getting help from a local nursing home attorney

There are lawyers who dedicate their time to addressing issues in nursing homes and helping their clients bring civil lawsuits against these facilities. Rosenberg Injury Law is a firm in Boca Raton that handles cases related to problems in nursing homes. 

Firm contact info:

The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg

5255 North Federal Highway, 3rd Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487

561-508-8800

rosenberginjurylaw.com