What to Do if Your Loved One Suffers an Allergic Reaction in a Nursing Home

Making the decision to admit someone you love into a nursing home is extremely difficult. The only small reassurance you may have is that they will receive the round-the-clock care they need. Sadly, there are a number of ways residents suffer harm in nursing homes. One of these is if staff members give them medication or food they are allergic to. This can cause a number of injuries, including wrongful death. Below, our Tampa nursing home neglect attorneys outline what to do if your loved one has been hurt in this way.

Know the Sign of an Allergic Reaction 

Before taking any steps to report the allergic reaction or take legal action because of one, it is important to know the signs of these reactions. The most common of these include:

• Trouble breathing
• Eczema symptoms that become worse
• Anaphylactic shock
• Anxiety and confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Death

Even the smallest error in a nursing home can cause an allergic reaction that results in hospital stays and health complications that remain with your loved one for years to come. This is particularly true for residents in nursing homes because they often have underlying health conditions that can become worse after an allergic reaction.

Document the Cause of the Allergic Reaction 

Your loved one’s health and well-being is the most important priority after an allergic reaction. Even if they were treated by a medical professional in the facility, you may still want to take them to another doctor for a second opinion. This can ensure they are receiving the best care, while also documenting the allergic reaction.

It is then important to document as much as you can about the allergic reaction. For example, if it is listed in your loved one’s admittance papers that they are allergic to a certain type of food they were served, you should ask for a copy. Or, if they were given the wrong type of medication, take a picture of the bottle or prescription. All of this documentation can prove neglect caused your loved one’s injuries.

Obtain Statements from Witnesses 

There may be witnesses who saw your loved one have an allergic reaction. For example, if it occurred in the dining hall, other residents may have seen it occur. Or, if other family members were visiting your loved one when the wrong medication was administered, they may have witnessed it. Employees in the nursing home may also be willing to come forward. Find any possible witnesses and ask for their statement and if necessary, their name and contact information.

Report the Neglect 

In certain situations, you may be able to report the neglect that caused an allergic reaction. For example, if a staff member was responsible for the allergic reaction, you can report it to the nursing home administrator or the employee’s supervisor.

Call a Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in Tampa 

After an allergic reaction, our Tampa nursing home neglect attorneys at Kohn Law can help you subpoena certain records from the facility, advise on the next steps to take and prove your case so you obtain the full settlement your family is entitled to. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help your family needs.