Common Liabilities Faced by Residential Care Facilities

Posted on: January 28, 2016 by Huntersure

Allegations against residential living facilities for wrongdoing are an inherent risk of the industry. In recent years, these claims have escalated, increasing Assisted Living Facility Liability nationwide. While these issues are not uncommon, it is important to educate staff members on the common types of claims and identify the source of the issue to prevent future incidents.

While the majority of facilities do their best to ensure patient satisfaction, not all circumstances can be foreseen and prevented. One of the most common types of claims is a result of allegations of mistreatment of residents. This ranges from abuse to neglect and can result in massive lawsuits and the tarnishing of the company’s reputation. These claims often occur in nursing homes, homes for individuals with disabilities, group homes, senior living facilities, and medical care homes.

Although mistreatment of anyone is never permitted or excusable, there are a variety of reasons that this might be occurring. An influx of residents, staffing shortage, and faulty employees can all lead to mistreatment, whether intentional or not. For example, a recent CNN report found that approximately 90 percent of nursing home facilities are understaffed, creating an environment more prone to negligence and injury.

In order to reduce the severity and number of these claims, it is important to instill proper training within the facility’s employees. In addition, appropriate procedural execution is paramount and can help to reassure resident safety and well-being. Lastly, assisted living facilities should be fully staffed and have the experience to manage patients.

As the demand for assisted living facilities continues to grow, liabilities are likely to surface for this industry. At Huntersure, we specialize in providing quality insurance programs to safeguard these facilities with comprehensive and affordable policies. For more information on how to protect your clients against allegations of wrongdoing, injury, neglect, and mistreatment, contact us today at (855) 585-6255.

Posted in: Assisted Living blog