Horrendous Neglect

Neglect

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the neglect suffered by veterans in nursing homes. One example is Randy Krall. Krall’s death was highlighted in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation that revealed a pattern of violations at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove reaching back five years.

The nursing home neglected Krall.  The facility caused medication errors, botched catheter insertions and unexplained bruises. Finally, the staff failed to ensure Krall was hydrated, leading to his death at age 69.

His widow now seeks justice. Luane Krall is suing the troubled state veterans’ home in Union Grove for providing “reckless, wanton, demeaning and inhuman treatment” of her husband.

“I would have to be there constantly. I swear to God they would have killed him if I wasn’t.”

–Luane Krall told a Journal Sentinel reporter earlier this year.

Unsafe Staffing

Dehydration has been a chronic problem at the facility. The facility ranks among the worst state veterans homes in the country, according to the Journal Sentinel investigation.  Surveyors cited the Union Grove facility for 62 violations with fines totaling $250,000 since 2017.

Records show a pattern of staff failing to ensure Krall was hydrated prior to his hospitalization. He died nine days later. The cause of death on the death certificate: “failure to thrive.” That is a euphemism for neglected.

Dehydration continued to be an issue more than a year after Krall’s death. An email stated:

 “Staff please be aware that we have been having a lot of members either be sent out or have labs completed here showing that members are Dehydrated!! We have along had several members with impacted bowels. This is not acceptable. We can do better.”

Our veterans deserve better.