If you have a loved one in a nursing home or other residential care facility, there’s a lot to worry about – even if you’re confident that the facility is providing them with good care.
You may worry about them falling or otherwise suffering injuries. You may be concerned that if the facility is short-staffed one day, your loved one may not get their medication or a meal on time or not get necessary assistance when they ask for it.
There’s another potential risk – ingesting or being exposed to toxic substances. This can happen if a product like a cleaning agent is left out or the door to a supply closet isn’t locked. Residents with even mild cognitive decline or who are impaired by medication may mistake a toxic substance for water or some other beverage.
Two fatal poisonings in a month
Staff can make that deadly mistake as well. One well-known business had multiple cases of fatal poisoning in two Northern California assisted living facilities within a month.
At one facility, three residents were poisoned – one fatally – when dishwashing liquid was poured into a pitcher to put into the dishwasher. Other staff members mistakenly served it to residents, thinking it was juice.
In another facility, an elderly resident of a memory care wing drank cleaning fluid he found in the kitchen. In that case, a staff member was criminally charged. The man’s son compared the negligent act to “leaving a bottle of caustic cleaning agent in a daycare.” He said his father “just saw something to drink and he drank it.”
Some investigation might be necessary
It’s important to know that harm caused by poisoning can be mistaken for something more innocuous. Facilities can also potentially lie to families about what happened to their loved one.
It’s important to ensure that you have the facts if a loved one is harmed or worse. Getting experienced legal guidance can help families get to the truth and seek justice and compensation.
