Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common—and most preventable—infections in nursing homes. When caught early and treated properly, a UTI is manageable. But when overlooked or ignored, especially in elderly or cognitively impaired residents, it can lead to dehydration, sepsis, kidney damage, hospitalization, or even death.
At The Higgins Firm, we represent families nationwide whose loved ones suffered serious harm or lost their lives due to mismanaged or undiagnosed UTIs. These infections are rarely isolated incidents—they are often the result of chronic neglect, poor hygiene, or lack of medical oversight.
A UTI is an infection that affects the urinary system, including the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract—often due to improper hygiene, catheter use, or urinary retention.
In healthy individuals, UTIs are uncomfortable but treatable. In elderly nursing home residents, they often present atypically and progress much more rapidly, especially if the resident:
For these residents, even a mild infection can trigger sepsis, a full-body inflammatory response that can lead to organ failure and death within hours if left untreated.
UTIs in nursing homes are often preventable. In our legal investigations, we frequently uncover systemic failures and care omissions that allow these infections to develop or worsen.
Cause | Explanation |
Inadequate perineal hygiene | Poor cleaning after toileting or incontinence increases bacterial migration |
Prolonged catheter use | Indwelling urinary catheters are a major UTI risk when not monitored or replaced |
Improper incontinence care | Residents left in soiled briefs are at higher risk for bacterial infections |
Dehydration | Low fluid intake prevents flushing of bacteria from the urinary tract |
Delayed response to symptoms | Lethargy, confusion, or agitation mistaken for “normal aging” |
Failure to monitor high-risk residents | Residents with prior UTIs or catheter dependence often lack individualized care plans |
These aren’t occasional oversights—they’re predictable outcomes in facilities where care is rushed, staff are stretched thin, and protocols are ignored.
In younger adults, UTIs typically cause burning urination, urgency, or pelvic pain. In elderly residents—especially those with dementia or communication barriers—UTIs often present differently and are easily misdiagnosed or missed altogether.
When staff miss or dismiss early signs, residents are often hospitalized unnecessarily—or too late.
Nursing homes are legally and ethically obligated to identify and monitor high-risk individuals. Those most vulnerable to UTIs include:
For these individuals, UTIs aren’t an occasional issue—they are an expected risk that must be actively managed and documented.
Federal law—particularly the Nursing Home Reform Act—requires that facilities provide:
Failing in any of these areas may constitute neglect, medical malpractice, or violation of federal regulatory standards.
At The Higgins Firm, we take a multi-pronged approach to proving that a UTI was preventable—or made worse—by nursing home neglect.
We will:
We identify not just what went wrong, but why it happened—and how it could have been prevented.
If your loved one was seriously harmed or died due to a mismanaged UTI in a nursing home, your family may be entitled to:
We build each case with the medical complexity and emotional gravity it deserves.
We don’t settle for vague answers or generic apologies—we get to the truth and hold negligent facilities accountable.
If your loved one developed a severe UTI in a nursing home, was hospitalized, or passed away as a result, don’t wait. UTIs are often the canary in the coal mine—the first sign that basic care is breaking down.
Dedicated legal advocates protecting your loved ones nationwide. When nursing homes break their promise of care, our experienced attorneys fight for the justice your family deserves.