Over 89% of Texas Nursing Homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards last year, and for-profit homes were more likely to have problems than other types of nursing homes, federal investigators say in a recent report.
About 17 percent of nursing homes across the United States had deficiencies that caused “actual harm or immediate jeopardy” to patients, said the report, by Daniel R. Levinson, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Problems included abuse and neglect of patients, infected bedsores, medication mix-ups, and poor nutrition.
The cap on medical liability damages has further limited the protections for the most vulnerable Texas citizens. Because of the caps on damages it is impossible to collect more than $250,000.00 for the pain and suffering imposed on the aged, disabled, or infirm. The caps do not allow for any adjustment for crippling, scarring or any other severe injury. Furthermore, many Texas lawyers will not pursue cases against nursing homes because of the cost versus rewards.
Until the Texas Caps on non-economic damages is changed there will continue to be bad nursing homes caring for our most vulnerable citizens.
