Legal Help When Getting Clean Means Getting Hurt
When your loved ones dropped you off at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, they probably breathed a sigh of relief, believing that you were finally safe. Being actively addicted to a mind-altering substance can put your life in danger. When you make the bold decision to go to rehab and try to defeat your addiction, you deserve to be cared for in a safe environment. The problem is that the rehab industry is not nearly as regulated as it should be. Anything from a lack of trained medical personnel on hand to inadequate supervision to dangerous conditions in the residential area can put patients at risk. Being injured while in residential treatment can have enormous consequences, and may even trigger a relapse if you experience a lot of pain. If you were injured while staying in inpatient rehab, an attorney may be able to help you recover financial compensation.
Negligent Rehab Practices That Put Patients in Danger
A lack of regulation in the recovery industry emboldens some shady rehab centers to put profit ahead of patient safety. When you check into a rehab center, you expect to be kept safe while you recover. People who are coming off drugs or alcohol are vulnerable and need a higher level of care than some rehabs are interested in providing. Negligent practices that could endanger you include:
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Unmanaged detox - Withdrawal from benzodiazepines or alcohol can be fatal if it is not properly medically managed. Withdrawing from any substance can cause harm and put you at risk for problems like dehydration and falls. During the acute detox phase, you need extensive medical care. It is critical that you are seen by a doctor almost as soon as you check in so that you can be given the appropriate medications. Failing to provide appropriate care at this point can rise to the level of medical malpractice.
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Uncontrolled infections - People with substance abuse problems are generally in poor health and fragile. Many enter rehab carrying infectious diseases like MRSA or tuberculosis. Patients should be screened for contagions on entry. The cleanliness of the facility is also of critical importance. Getting an infection at this early stage in your recovery can be very dangerous.
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Unsafe premises - Rehab centers should be free from tripping hazards like loose carpeting or exposed cords and otherwise safe for vulnerable individuals. Preventable falls are a common cause of injury in rehab centers, as dizziness or poor balance is common among those who are still detoxing.
If you suffered a preventable injury while you were in rehab trying to get clean and sober, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation.
Contact a Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer
John D. Tallman, PLC, Attorney at Law is committed to holding rehab centers that fail to keep their patients safe liable in court. Our dedicated Grand Rapids personal injury attorneys will help investigate the cause of your injury and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve. Call 616-361-8850 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.npr.org/2021/02/15/963700736/as-addiction-deaths-surge-profit-driven-rehab-industry-faces-severe-ethical-cris
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