Law Firm Resources & News

Most states require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to do background checks on staff. But what about temporary staff, or those supplied by temp agencies? You call at noon, say we need three CNA’s for the 7a to 7 p shift, think you will have time to do a background check? Doubt it. What…

We have written several blogs about all of the problems with nursing homes in Tennessee…and the problems are too numerous to repeat here but suffice it to report the state suspended admissions to 21 nursing homes this year, up from 10 in 2006 and six in 2005. But now the story has taken an unusual…

We have family members ask all the time “If I am Mom’s POA, would I have to pay for her nursing home bill if she can’t anymore?” Many of the agreements signed in the admission process, contain language that imposes the duty to make payments on responsible parties, or legal representatives should the resident be…

I got this hilarious email yesterday – about a woman that decided to take cruises, indefinitely, rather than go to a nursing home… cruise was cheaper, more fun, better food – anyone been on a cruise lately that could tell me the cost? Most nursing homes run about $3000-$8000 a month. I would love to…

Actor Dennis Quaid and his wife have sued the makers of heparin after their newborn twins were inadvertently given massive doses of the blood thinner at a hospital. The product liability lawsuit, filed in Chicago, seeks more than $50,000 in damages. The suit claims that Baxter Healthcare Corp., the manufacturer of the drug, was negligent…

We had some freezing rain in Roanoke today, and I slipped in our office parking lot on the way into work. I am grateful I only fell a short distance (short legs help) and have pretty strong bones – but it occurred to me, that we need to be very vigilent in preventing falls of…

You may not think about it but your local pharmacist is a medical professional who must comply with high standards of professional conduct. Pharmacists, like doctors and nurses, are “healthcare providers” and in Virginia are regulated by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Dispensing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage can cause serious injury and…

I recently read a story written by an electrician who was severely injured on the job and, at age 35, found himself in a nursing home. The nursing home was located in Tennessee but could have been located anywhere in America. The writer “survived several life-threatening mistakes by poorly trained staff, years of conflict with…

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Medicaid has spent more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than on any other class of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, AIDS drugs or medicine to treat high-blood pressure. In a practice known as “off label” use of prescription drugs, patients can get these powerful medicines whether they are…

PT Scan says – “no cancer” and so your oncologist is not worried about the large lump found on your head. Get a second opinion. Family history of breast cancer and doctor does not biopsy mass found in ultrasound, because he doubts it could be cancer… Get a second opinion. Failure to order MRI, would…

Here is a scary story! A resident in an Arizona nursing home was battling an active case of tuberculosis (TB) and passed the disease to several others before dying this fall, according to local health department officials. The health department was notified on Nov. 5 and began an investigation, which turned up a number of…