TEXAS NURSING HOMES - SOME HAVE IT, SOME DON’T
Geoffrey E. Schorr
If you are thinking about placing a loved one in a Texas nursing home, or if you have loved ones in Texas nursing homes, you may wish to research the issue of medical malpractice insurance and whether the nursing homes you are considering, or the nursing homes in which your loved ones reside, maintain adequate medical malpractice insurance, if any. Consumers and health care providers should view medical malpractice insurance as protection for residents of nursing homes and their families, and not view medical malpractice insurance solely as protection for nursing homes or their investors from liability stemming from malpractice.
In December, the Dallas Morning News reported that one-third of Dallas area nursing homes received the “lowest possible Medicare rating.” Nursing homes that fail to score well with the Medicare rating system are likely nursing homes that also have numerous complaints and violations. Complaints and violations are generally related to under-staffing, improper procedures and unsanitary conditions. Nursing homes that have issues in these areas are more likely to commit medical malpractice. Moreover, if a particular nursing home is unable to maintain proper staffing, implement and follow proper procedures and provide a sanitary environment, chances are malpractice insurance is not a high priority.
Most Texas nursing homes are owned by for-profit companies. To maximize profits, some companies allow their nursing homes to operate with very cheap, insufficient or no insurance, providing little or no protection to nursing home residents and their families in the event of malpractice. Consumers should be wary of nursing homes that have regular complaints and/or violations as those nursing homes are the ones that may be more likely to have little or no insurance.
To research Texas nursing homes, and to learn about violations and complaints concerning individual nursing homes, consumers should visit the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services’ website.
If you or a loved one have/has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, Contact Schorr Law Firm toll free at 1-866-456-0100 or Visit Schorr Law’s Website
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home NegligenceTags: Elder Abuse, Nursing home