Many Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases Unresolved

The recent departure of Minnesota’s commissioner of health, amid reports of criminal abuse in Minnesota’s nursing homes, is yet another example of the persistent and widespread problem of nursing home abuse and neglect.

These revelations have spurred Minnesota’s Governor to empower the Department of Human Services (DHS) to more proactively investigate alleged cases of nursing home maltreatment. The DHS will now have the authority to “direct Health Department staff, make personnel decisions and implement changes to the agency’s work and investigative process.” Additionally, as part of this initiative, families will no longer be kept in the dark regarding DHS investigations into alleged nursing home maltreatment. Certainly these are steps in the right direction that we can all take a lesson from as more nursing home abuse and neglect allegations come to light.

Like so many states across the nation including Iowa, Minnesota faces a severe backlog of unresolved abuse and neglect cases. This backlog, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, has risen from about 4,000 in 2010 to well over 25,000 in 2016. Unfortunately, these shocking statistics spell trouble for all families who have loved ones being cared for in nursing homes everywhere as it points to just how many abuse and neglect reports there are every year and also the fact that there is little being done to address the problems.

Experienced Iowa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers

If you or a family member has been a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse resulting in serious injury, don’t wait to seek help. It is important to discuss your concerns with an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney to stop harmful actions and to seek compensation for your loved one. Contact the Des Moines nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers of John T. Hemminger Law for immediate assistance today.