Nursing homes play a key role in caring for older adults. However, when systemic problems occur, multiple residents may suffer harm. In some cases, this can lead to a class action lawsuit.
These lawsuits involve a group of people with similar complaints against the same facility or organization. Below are some of the most common types of class actions related to nursing homes.
Neglect and poor living conditions
One common reason for a class action is widespread neglect. This may involve poor hygiene, underfeeding, lack of medical care or failure to prevent injuries like falls or bedsores. If several residents experience the same problems over time, it may point to deeper issues like understaffing or poor training.
Misuse of medication
Some class actions have focused on the use of unnecessary or dangerous medications. For example, a facility may use sedatives to control behavior rather than treat a medical condition. In other cases, staff may give the wrong dose or fail to follow proper procedures. These practices can affect many residents, especially in larger facilities.
Improper billing and financial misconduct
Nursing homes may face class actions over billing practices. This can include charging for services that were never provided, overbilling Medicaid or Medicare or misusing residents’ personal funds. If the behavior is part of a routine practice rather than a one-time error, it may give rise to legal action on behalf of many residents or their families.
Residents have rights under federal and state law. If a facility restricts visits, isolates patients without cause, or discriminates against certain groups, those actions may be challenged through a class action. These cases often focus on patterns of behavior rather than individual disputes. To find out more, you should seek legal guidance.