People often associate serious and fatal harm suffered by those in nursing homes and other care facilities with falls, getting the wrong medication and even infections that can result from neglect. However, another potential danger is exposure to and ingestion of toxic substances.
These facilities use large amounts of cleaning products, pesticides and other toxic substances. They should be locked up when not in use and kept out of the reach of residents when they are in use. However, sometimes residents are able to access them and may not realize what they are.
Unlabeled containers can cause deadly mistakes
This is more likely to happen to a resident with dementia. However, even mild cognitive impairment or confusion can cause a resident to consume a poisonous product – particularly if it’s not in its original container. In one particularly tragic case in a California assisted living facility, three residents were poisoned – one fatally – when dishwashing liquid that had been poured into a pitcher was mistaken by staff for juice and served at a meal.
People who choose to harm themselves or take their own lives may consume these products deliberately if they aren’t secured.
Unfortunately, loved ones can’t always count on these facilities to thoroughly investigate a serious injury or death or even to tell the truth. Further, it can be difficult to get an autopsy on an elderly person – particularly if they had serious health issues
When family members have concerns about the cause of a loved one’s injuries, illness or death in a nursing home and don’t believe they’re getting the full and accurate story or they believe the facility’s management or staff were at fault, it’s wise to get experienced legal guidance to seek justice and compensation.