Pneumonia & Death in Texas Nursing Homes

This month, we covered the story of Bill West, an 81-year-old man who died of pneumonia while in the care of a Texas nursing home. An investigation into the incident revealed that the senior had been assaulted by another resident three weeks before his death and that the nursing home allegedly did not seek medical care for his multiple broken bones until days after the attack. His death from pneumonia was ruled a homicide.
Pneumonia as a red flag for neglect
Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among the elderly, and seniors are significantly more likely to develop serious cases of pneumonia as they age. How, then, can such a common health condition be considered a sign of nursing home neglect?
While pneumonia can be fatal for the elderly, it can often be protected against, prevented, and treated. Making sure that residents are generally healthy and looking for the first signs of pneumonia are key in fighting the condition. Making sure that pneumonia is treated quickly and effectively is key is preventing pneumonia from becoming fatal.
Although some cases of fatal pneumonia occur naturally, others take place because of poor nursing home conditions, negligent nursing home staff, or even nursing home abuse.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia:

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent cough
• Mucous production
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea & vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue

Make sure you know what caused your loved one’s pneumonia
If your elder loved one has died of pneumonia in Texas nursing home, it is important to understand how the pneumonia was contracted—and whether or not it could have been prevented.
For more information on your Texas elder abuse case, call the experienced Dallas nursing home neglect attorneys at Rasansky Law Firm today at (214) 651-6100.