In the summer months, Arizona experiences high temperatures that may be detrimental to the health and safety of nursing home and assisted living facility residents. If staff members and caregivers are not attentive, residents may suffer from conditions such as dehydration and other heat-related illnesses. Nursing home neglect is a type of unlawful abuse that may cause severe physical and emotional injuries that may harm the well-being of your family member, especially during the dangerously hot summer months.
If your family member has endured injuries due to neglect during the dangerously hot summer months that resulted in heat-related illnesses or death, speak to an experienced lawyer at Feller & Wendt to hold the liable caregivers accountable for their actions. We work tirelessly to obtain the justice you deserve for the suffering caused by a negligent caregiver or nursing home.
4 Reasons Summer Months Are Dangerous for Arizona Nursing Home Residents
Most nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to high-temperature summers in Arizona and risk developing health-related medical conditions such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stress. These medical issues are the result of negligence and improper cooling of indoor areas.
1. Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that may cause seizures, fluid retention, brain damage, dehydration, cardiac arrest, damage to internal organs, and even death. The elderly are more susceptible to heatstroke due to their body’s inability to properly adapt to extreme temperature changes.
If your family member is exhibiting signs of heatstroke, you should take the following steps:
- Move your family member to a cool place
- Provide cool water and allow them to rehydrate, if possible
- Remove any clothing that’s trapping heat
- Apply cool compresses or clothing
- Give them a cool shower or bath
- Contact a medical professional
If your loved one is experiencing heatstroke, it may cause permanent damage if not dealt with immediately. If your loved one has endured heat-related injuries due to someone else’s negligence, speak to an experienced Arizona nursing home abuse lawyer at Feller & Wendt.
2. Heat Exhaustion
If your loved one is showing signs of heat exhaustion, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Some signs include agitation, confusion, loss of consciousness, and inability to drink. Heat exhaustion develops when you are exposed to extreme temperatures, especially in highly humid environments. In elderly adults, this can occur during mild to moderate physical activity when they are more susceptible to dehydration.
If you think your family member is experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion, do the following:
- Move your family member to a cool location
- Take off any clothing that is causing them to overheat
- Place cool compresses on their body
- Allow them to drink cool water, if possible
- In the event of nausea, vomiting, inability to drink water, or worsening of symptoms, get immediate medical attention
Heat exhaustion may cause severe injuries. If you suspect heat exhaustion, act immediately. If a preventable heat-related injury was caused due to a caregiver’s negligence, speak to a seasoned Utah nursing home abuse lawyer for an assessment of your case.
3. Dehydration
Dehydration is a severe lack of water in the body and may become deadly in the summer months. Seniors are more likely to experience severe dehydration due to their decreased thirst signal. Thirst signals alert you to drink water, and older adults may not notice their need to drink to alleviate thirst as they get older. It is important to monitor the water intake of your family member, especially on high-temperature days, to reduce dehydration.
Dehydration may exacerbate medical conditions or result in medical complications, such as:
- Seizures
- Low blood volume
- Brain swelling
- Confusion
- Bowel impaction
- Constipation
- Inability to process medication correctly
- Heatstroke
- Kidney failure
- Coma
- Death
If your family member has experienced a decline in health or endured medical complications due to heat-related injury caused by a negligent caregiver, you deserve justice for the suffering they caused. The legal team at Feller & Wendt works to recover the compensation you deserve for the physical and emotional damages caused by an individual who was entrusted to provide proper care for your loved one.
4. Heat-Stress
Heat stress may affect older adults, ages 65 and over, more than any other age group. Heat stress occurs in dangerously high temperatures when the body cannot regulate its own temperature and can’t cool itself. This may lead to serious injuries such as heat-stroke or begin as mild rashes and cramps.
Symptoms of heat-stress may include:
- Hot skin
- Dry skin
- Pale skin
- Increased or rapid heart rate
- Muscle cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or delirium
- Fainting
- Coma
- Worsening medical conditions
Heat stress can cause your loved one to endure worsening medical conditions or health complications if not treated immediately. If your loved one suffered due to a negligent caregiver and endured physical and emotional losses because of their actions, you may be able to recover compensation for the suffering they have experienced.
Recoverable Damages in Arizona Nursing Home Neglect Cases
Nursing homes and staff are lawfully required to provide adequate care to residents. This helps make sure that the environment is safe during the summer months to ensure their safety. Additionally, proper supervision is an essential responsibility for nursing home staff, and if negligence is prevalent, there is a raised risk of heat-related injuries during the summer months.
You may be able to recover necessary damages if negligence caused heat-related injuries in your nursing home resident, including medical expenses, emotional and psychological damages, and punitive damages in instances of malicious acts.
Speak to an Experienced Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Feller & Wendt
If your family member has suffered due to an Arizona heat-related injury, worsening medical condition, or death because of negligent nursing home staff or caregiver, you may be eligible to pursue damages for the suffering they have endured. At Feller & Wendt, we work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable for their unlawful actions and build a substantial case on your behalf so you may obtain the compensation you deserve.
At Feller & Wendt, we are committed to providing you with top-of-the-line representation to hold negligent individuals accountable for their actions with a 95% success rate. We have a trusting reputation with Arizona clients because of our dedication to protecting their rights and achieving the justice they are owed. Speak to a knowledgeable Arizona nursing home abuse lawyer today for a complimentary consultation at (480) 702-2277, or fill out our contact form.
