When nursing homes fail to follow physician orders, it can cause a resident to suffer severe or fatal harm. If this happens, the nursing home and even individuals may be held liable for any damages that result.
Examples of injuries or worsening conditions that may occur when a nursing home fails to follow physician orders include:
Getting no medication, the wrong dosage of medication or the wrong medication
Not receiving wound care, such as for bedsores, which could become infected or lead to sepsis
Falling due to not receiving assistance when being transported from a bed to a wheelchair
Falling due to not being given help when toileting or dressing
Choking because resident did not receive proper assistance while eating
Not providing proper oversight of a patient known to wander