Nursing homes owe a very strict “duty of care” to residents, owing to the broad and important nature of the services provided to a resident, covering such things as food, shelter, hygiene, and medical care. Nursing home staff members are expected to do everything from providing medications to preparing food. Therefore, if it can be shown that the nursing home was negligent and that negligence played a role in the resident’s injury or abuse, then the nursing home and its employees may be held legally liable for all resulting damages.