What are wandering and elopement?

Wandering refers to cognitively impaired residents who wander around the facility, without recognizing their safety or risk of harm. Elopement is when residents who are unable to protect themselves from harm leave the facility without supervision and without being noticed and may enter into dangerous situations.

What causes wandering and elopement in nursing homes?

Many residents of nursing homes with Alzheimer's or dementia wander. If the nursing home does not have safety procedures, this can lead to wandering or elopement. Wandering or elopement may occur because the resident is forgetful, wants to go home, is seeking variety, or due to changes in the resident’s medication or processes.

What are the rights of assisted living residents?

The rights of assisted living residents include the right to be protected from abuse, the right to receive regular cleaning, the right to be helped with eating, walking, and restroom use, and the right to be engaged socially. These are the basic care requirements for residents of assisted living facilities.

Who is at risk of wandering?

The most vulnerable residents to wandering are those who can't remember where they are or don't know where they are going, forget that they live in a nursing home, and are confused about where their family members are.

Are nursing homes liable when residents leave a facility unattended?

In most cases, yes. Residents should not be allowed out of the facility without their permission. Long-term care facilities and nursing homes are trusted to provide the best care for our senior citizens. The facility must have sufficient staffing, video surveillance, and other procedures to ensure that residents are not able to leave. Given the fragile nature and vulnerability of nursing home residents, it is particularly distressing when wandering or elopement occurs.

Can I sue if a resident elopes from a nursing home?

A nursing home can be sued if a resident leaves the facility or is injured by a lack of supervision. Nursing home lawsuits seek to compensate the resident for the injuries sustained. Settlements may include compensation for psychological trauma, physical pain and suffering, as well as medical expenses.

Why should I hire the Kucher Law Group?

At Kucher Law, our New York City personal injury attorneys are committed to helping accident and personal injury victims achieve justice and get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you have been injured in an accident in NYC, we will help you understand the value of your injury claim and your rights under the law. We offer top-quality legal services without breaking your bank account.

How much do I pay for a consultation?

Kucher Law provides a free consultation. No fees, and no financial burdens until money is recovered. Unless we win your case, you don't pay a penny.

Where is Kucher Law in Manhattan located?

Our Manhattan office is located at 26 Broadway 27th floor, New York City, NY 10004. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you'd like to visit us, feel free to do so.

How do I contact the Kucher Law Group in Manhattan?

You can call us at (929) 274-8000. You can also send us an email at contact@rrklawgroup.com. Another way to contact us is by filling up the contact form on our website at https://www.rrklawgroup.com/contact/

Wandering and Elopement Lawyer - Kucher Law Group

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New York City Nursing Home Wandering and Elopement Lawyer

Many elderly individuals who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are at risk when they don’t have the appropriate oversight and care. One of the ways they are particularly at risk is when they wander off without assistance. This puts them in harm’s way and in danger of encountering situations that may put their well-being or very life in jeopardy. If your loved one has been injured while wandering at or away from their care facility, this can signal negligence. You may need the assistance of a New York nursing home wandering lawyer to get to the bottom of it.

At Kucher Law, experienced attorney Samantha Kucher and our experienced team of nursing home negligence lawyers have represented many families whose loved ones have been put at risk in these settings. If the nursing home or care facility has acted negligently and it has resulted in harm to your family member, you may be able to help them seek compensation and hold the negligent parties accountable.

"No Win, No Fee. Unless We Win Your Case, You Don't Pay a Penny."

Nursing Home Residents Wandering May Indicate Facility Neglect

Families dedicate significant time and financial resources to finding a nursing home facility that offers the best care for their loved ones. When they find one that they feel they can trust, it offers incredible peace of mind. But even when a family finds a facility to provide the proper daily care, if there is not adequate and skilled staffing on hand and their loved one wanders away, this is another form of nursing home neglect.

Nursing homes are legally required to responsibly and ethically care for their residents. In addition to the obvious assistance with their daily activities, nutritional, medical, and emotional care, and other daily needs, a nursing home staff must protect vulnerable residents from injury or harm. When a resident becomes injured or harmed while wandering around or away from the safety of the facility, the facility itself can be held accountable for any resulting harm.

If someone you love has been neglected in a care facility, they may be entitled to compensation. Neglect has been happening more often in assisted living and care facilities and they should take the responsibility for their injured residents. Contact us today to schedule a consultation (929) 274 8000.

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When Movement is Not Safe In A New York City Nursing Home

Movement in a nursing home setting is suitable for many residents. Mobility in the halls and throughout the facility allows some residents to exercise, provide mental stimulation, and relieve stress and loneliness. This can improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. While movement should be encouraged for these individuals, staff must maintain the proper oversight so residents don’t disrupt other residents or wander into dangerous areas of the facility. In some cases, residents may try to actively leave the facility altogether.

Nursing home wandering that is not properly supervised inside the facility can lead to residents who are cognitively impaired coming into contact with unsafe situations and injuries. Nursing home elopement takes them away from the safe confines of the facility into potentially dangerous situations. Either of these can be caused by nursing home negligence.

When your loved one has been injured or otherwise harmed because of nursing home neglect, you need an experienced advocate in your corner. The skilled New York personal injury attorneys at Kucher Law can help you hold the facility accountable for any harm that befell your family member while wandering or nursing home elopement.

What is New York City Nursing Home Elopement?

When a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility leaves that facility unsupervised, it is referred to as elopement. Elopement, as a medical term, means to leave a treatment facility without appropriate permission or authorization. Elopement can be a particular issue in nursing homes, and those who successfully leave can put themselves at serious risk.

Residents of nursing home facilities try to elope for a variety of reasons. Although most are related to residents with dementia or other cognitive issues, others may try to leave soon after their initial placement because of the unfamiliarity with the environment. While some reasons for elopement are apparent, some residents will attempt to leave because of boredom, agitation, disorientation, a perceived lack of freedom, or past patterns of behavior. Many residents take to wandering or elopement when their care needs are unmet.

Nursing home wandering, elopement, and other neglect are dangerous to vulnerable residents and can lead to serious injuries and even death. If your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, experienced attorney Samantha Kucher and our skilled staff of NYC nursing home wandering lawyers at Kucher Law help. Call us today to schedule a consultation.

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Dementia and Nursing Home Wandering

Over 50 percent of nursing home and long-care facility residents suffer from some form of dementia. And while exact figures vary, it is estimated that nearly a third of nursing home residents and between 25 and 70 percent of those with dementia wander in and from nursing home and long-term care settings. The most dangerous form of wandering, elopement, can leave cognitively impaired and confused residents in situations that can result in injuries, hypothermia, or even death.

Facilities must constantly assess their residents’ possible propensity to wander, even if they do not appear capable of it. This demands that nursing home staff and administrators take proactive measures to protect those in their care.

When nursing home staff members properly communicate, understand, and meet the needs of their residents, it helps them feel a greater sense of security. Unfortunately, when nursing home wandering or elopements occur, it can be indicative of nursing home neglect or even abuse.

What Are the Dangers of Nursing Home Wandering and Elopement?

While nursing home wandering and elopement are always potential issues in long-term care settings, this behavior can lead to serious dangers for the resident. When a loved one wanders about the facility or leaves the facility entirely, they may be left unsupervised by skilled staff for an extended time. This can lead to many unfortunate consequences.

Nursing home residents are often unable to care for and protect themselves even while wandering inside the facility. Nursing homes are required by law to assess the risk factors of nursing home residents and if they are in jeopardy of wandering, the facility has the responsibility of protecting them and preventing them from wandering or leaving and potentially getting harmed.

New York City nursing home abuse is becoming more rampant these days, and family members always have to be on the lookout for abuse common signs to protect their loved ones. Wandering or elopement from the facility may be a cause for a loved one to be involved in accidents.

If a loved one suffered from injuries like bone fractures or wounds during a wandering incident, they may be entitled to compensation. Contact attorney Samantha Kucher and our team of experienced nursing home abuse lawyers at (929) 274 8000 to know how we can help.

How Can Facilities Protect Their Residents From Wandering?

While nursing homes must meet the social and physical needs of their residents, they are required to enact reasonable actions to keep those who are prone to wandering safe and inside the appropriate areas of the facility. This demands that administration and staff have proactive measures in place, with:

Adequate and skilled staffing that allows for ample supervision
A safe lounge area for those who wander or need social stimulation
Walking areas that are well-lit and free from clutter
Signs or photos offering familiarity and identification inside and outside resident rooms
Meaningful activities for residents
A front desk and front doors that are manned to monitor those who enter or exit
Fully operative locks on all the doors and windows
An alarm system that sounds when doors or windows are opened
Bed alarms for those who are at particular risk of wandering
Monitored security cameras that track movement at doors
Frequent supervision and bed checks for those residents who are particularly at risk for wandering or leaving the facility
The use of a wander guard for high-risk residents
Adequate property fencing with a locking gate
Policies and procedures are in place when a resident has wandered to ensure a quick response

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Neglectful and Unsafe Nursing Home Environments

While many nursing home residents wander or elope because of a social need or cognitive impairment, some may feel unsafe in their environment. When a resident feels unsafe, there may be a good reason.

Nursing home abuse and neglect affect thousands of institutional residents and their families each year. The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that 10 percent of older adults that live in these community settings are victims of some form of elder abuse or neglect, including:

Unfortunately, not all cases of abuse are reported, and many seniors are unable or unwilling to report their abuse or neglect for fear of retaliation.

Nursing homes have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of the residents in their care, free from abusive or neglectful behavior. They must have hiring practices in place that ensures that their staff is background-checked, experienced, and has no previous record of any abuse or neglect. If they have failed in their legal obligation, they may be held liable if a resident has been injured due to their negligence.

At Kucher Law Group, skilled attorney Samantha Kucher and our team of New York City nursing home abuse lawyers may be able to help a victim receive compensation for their injuries.

What Compensation Can You Be Entitled to in Nursing Homes Wandering?

If your loved one suffered injuries while wandering or eloping from a nursing home or long-term care facility, they might be entitled to compensation for damages. These include:

Any medical expenses
Prescription costs
Medical equipment costs
Costs to relocate from that nursing home
In-home care and nursing costs
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
And other costs associated with the incident

If your loved one died as a result of the nursing home’s negligence, your family may be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim against the institution. Let the New York nursing home wandering lawyers at Kucher Law help you get the compensation you and your loved one deserve.

Getting Legal Assistance From An Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you have a loved one that has experienced an injury or other damages in a nursing home wandering incident, you may be able to hold the facility and staff liable for those damages.

At Kucher Law, our experienced group of New York nursing home wandering attorneys have devoted their careers to the rights of the victim. We can help you build your claim of negligence and help you get the justice you deserve. We understand nursing home state and federal regulations and would be happy to evaluate your situation to see if you have a valid compensation claim.

Contact us online or call us at (929) 274-8000 to schedule a free consultation. You pay no legal fees unless we have successfully recovered compensation on your behalf.

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