Nursing Home Resident Wandering Off and Elopement Attorneys in Cleveland

Elder Eloping and Nursing Home Care

We trust nursing home facilities and their staff members to keep our loved ones safe. Sometimes, because of age, dementia, or other medical conditions, our loved ones require additional observation to keep them from wandering away — or “eloping" — from the facility or its staff members. These residents are the most vulnerable to dangers outside the facility.

Unfortunately, residents of nursing home facilities don't always receive the observation they require. You need to know your rights. Our firm is knowledgeable, caring, and dedicated to pursuing the rights of our clients. We can advise you and help you through this difficult time. As we are very experienced in these cases involving negligence and abuse in nursing homes, you can have confidence in our assessment of your case and our ability to represent you.

Why Do Nursing Home Residents Wander Off?

There are different reasons why a nursing home patient might leave the facility without the knowledge of the staff.

For example:

• Sometimes, this is the result of inadequate training of nursing home staff.
• Other times, it occurs when an inadequate number of properly trained staff members are assigned to care for the residents.

Regardless of the cause, when a nursing home fails to prevent a resident from wandering away from the facility, that resident can suffer serious injuries or even death as a result.

Some potential types of harm that could befall the resident include:

• Falls
• Assaults
• Exposure to cold or harsh weather
• Other dangerous situations

Nursing Home Duty of Care to Prevent Elopement

Nursing homes have a legal and ethical duty to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents, especially those who are prone to wandering or eloping. This duty of care requires facilities to take reasonable steps to protect residents from harm, including implementing effective measures to prevent elopement. Specific responsibilities include:

• Assessing Resident Risks: Nursing homes must evaluate each resident’s risk of wandering or eloping, especially individuals with conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• Developing Care Plans: Facilities are required to create personalized care plans that address identified risks and outline strategies to keep residents safe.
• Providing Adequate Supervision: Staff must be properly trained and deployed to monitor residents, ensuring high-risk individuals receive close attention.
• Implementing Security Measures: Nursing homes are responsible for maintaining secure environments, such as locking doors, installing alarms, and monitoring exits to prevent unsupervised departures.

Failure to uphold these responsibilities can result in tragic outcomes, including injuries or fatalities, for vulnerable residents.

Indicators of Nursing Home Negligence

Elopement often occurs due to preventable lapses in care. Here are some signs of nursing home negligence that could be responsible:

• Understaffing: A lack of sufficient staff members to monitor and care for all residents increases the likelihood of unsupervised wandering.
• Poor Security Measures: Missing locks, broken alarms, or unsecured doors and windows make it easier for residents to leave unnoticed.
• Environmental Hazards: Lack of protective measures like secure fencing, warning systems, or cameras can allow residents to wander off the property undetected.

If any of these factors contributed to a loved one's elopement, contact a nursing home negligence attorney immediately for a thorough evaluation.

Steps to Take After a Nursing Home Elopement

If your loved one has wandered off from a nursing home, it’s critical to act quickly to ensure their safety and protect your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

1. Contact Local Authorities Immediately: Call 911 to report your loved one as missing. The sooner law enforcement is involved, the greater the chances of a safe recovery.
2. Notify the Nursing Home Administration: Inform the facility staff and demand a detailed account of when and how your loved one went missing. Request copies of incident reports and security footage, if available.
3. Document the Incident: Keep detailed records, including the timeline of events, staff responses, and any communications with the facility or authorities.
4. Seek Medical Attention: If your loved one is found, ensure they receive medical care to evaluate any injuries or complications resulting from the incident.
5. Consult an Experienced Nursing Home Negligence Attorney: Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP to investigate the incident, determine liability, and pursue compensation for your loved one’s injuries or suffering.

Taking swift action not only helps locate your loved one safely but also preserves crucial evidence for potential legal action.

Over $1 Billion Recovered in Verdicts and Settlements

If your loved one suffered an injury or death when a nursing home facility failed to prevent them from eloping, you need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney willing to fight for the full compensation you and your loved one deserve. Put us to work for you now by contacting Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP to arrange a free consultation. Our office looks forward to working with you.

Call an attorney from our team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP today by dialing (216) 600-0114.