Enforced Isolation

Nursing homes provide many benefits to their residents, including a social environment and community activities. While social interaction is a vital part of maintaining health and happiness in later years, not all nursing home residents are granted the opportunity to interact with their peers. Rather, some nursing home residents are forced into isolation, which can lead to a number of issues. If you believe your loved one was placed in enforced isolation in a nursing home, it is sensible to meet with a Cape Cod nursing home negligence lawyer to discuss your options for seeking a remedy for the harm your loved one suffered. At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we have more than fifteen decades of combined experience representing injured parties pursuing damages, and we can fight diligently to help you seek a successful outcome. Our proficient attorneys have recouped multiple multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for the parties we represent.

There are several acts that fall under the umbrella of enforced isolation. For example, an isolated resident may be prevented from receiving phone calls or speaking to anyone outside of the nursing home. A resident may be prevented from interacting with anyone inside of the nursing home as well, including any care providers, religious clergy, or legal counsel. In extreme cases, a resident may be placed in a room alone for an extended period of time, with no human interaction. Enforced isolation can lead to cognitive decline, dementia, increased risk of falls, and loss of mobility and speech.

If a nursing home forces a resident into isolation, and the resident suffers harm as a result, the resident may be owed compensation. First, the resident may be able to recover the cost of any medical treatment or assistive devices he or she needed due to harm caused by the isolation. The resident may also be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering he or she experienced as a result of the isolation or illnesses or injuries caused by the isolation. In cases in which enforced isolation led to a resident's death, the resident's family members may be able to pursue damages from the nursing home, including punitive damages.

In most instances in which a nursing home resident suffers harm due to inadequate care provided by the nursing home, the resident or his or her family members will seek damages via a negligence claim in a civil lawsuit. In Massachusetts, a plaintiff alleging a defendant is liable under a theory of negligence must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to act with reasonable care, but that the defendant breached the duty. In cases involving nursing homes, the standard of care owed is typically established by state or federal law. The plaintiff must also show that the breach of the duty caused the plaintiff to suffer measurable harm.

Nursing homes are required to maintain detailed records of the care, nutrition, and hydration provided to residents. Thus, in cases involving enforced isolation, the nursing home's records may be helpful in establishing that the nursing home failed to provide the resident with sufficient social interaction. The plaintiff may need to engage a medical expert to establish how the isolation led to the harm alleged and to explain what treatment is needed to address the harm.

When a nursing home forces a resident into isolation, it can cause permanent cognitive and emotional harm. If you or your loved one sustained injuries because of a nursing home's negligent or wrongful practices, it is prudent to meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your case. At Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, we are proficient in aiding parties injured by nursing home negligence in the pursuit of damages, and we will aggressively advocate on your behalf. Our skillful representation has allowed us to uphold a record of favorable verdicts, including many exceeding one million dollars. We represent injured parties in Cape Cod, and we are also available to meet for consultations in Plymouth and Hyannis. We can be reached through our online form or at 888-262-6664 to set up a meeting. Nós Falamos Português.