IDENTIFYING COMMON NURSING HOME INJURIES

While most people do not associate nursing homes with personal injuries, about 20,000 Americans experienced severe injuries last year while living in these facilities. When family members move their loved ones into residential facilities like nursing homes, they expect their loved one to be well taken care of. These families expect safety, certainly not a serious injury.

While the spectrum of personal injuries that befall patients is wide, the truth is that this does not have to be the case. When nursing homes are held accountable for their actions, they are more likely to take care of residents appropriately.

If you feel that you or your loved one has become a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you need to consider the types of injuries that have occurred. Do you notice instances of any of these injuries? If you notice these or other injuries, you should consult with a personal injury attorney.

The biggest source of nursing home injuries is falling onto hard surfaces, especially while getting in and out of bed. Falls often lead to fractures and broken bones, which may also be connected to osteoporosis.

Slips and falls are important to consider because they may indicate that employees of the nursing home are not paying close attention to residents. These injuries may also indicate that the nursing home is negligent in offering safety rails for those who need them.

The face is a common area for injury among those living in nursing homes. The most common culprit will be a tear or deep cut in the skin. This may be caused by anything from scratching to an assault by an employee or other resident.

Bone fractures in the face are also not uncommon, especially in the nose or eye socket. These injuries are closely associated with slips and falls, but not always. This could be an indication of violence, whether it is perpetrated by another resident or an employee of the nursing home.

In some cases, nursing home residents are not fed appropriately. This can manifest in a number of different ailments, but the most obvious sign will be weight loss. The nursing home may not be paying close attention to the dietary needs and interests of patients, or they may be failing to provide adequate medical care to recognize this problem.

Bedsores are a common injury in patients and residents who are unable to maintain their own personal hygiene. This means that the resident is not being bathed or moved often enough, demonstrating potential neglect.

Unfortunately, many nursing home residents find themselves in the position of being sexually assaulted. This can show up in more obvious ways, like tearing in the genitals, but it may also offer subtle signs, including emotional outbursts and expressions of fear. This could be a case of nursing home abuse.

Spinal injuries are commonly associated with slips and falls, but they may also appear in individuals who are not ambulatory. An employee may have dropped the resident, leading to a strong impact to the spine.

When it comes to assessing a personal injury, you must determine if the situation is caused by nursing home abuse or neglect. This will impact the way you move forward with your personal injury attorney.

Nursing home abuse is typically an indication that somebody is acting untoward. For example, a nursing home employee is purposefully acting in a way to cause harm to the patient.
Nursing home neglect is lack of action on behalf of the nursing home and its employees. Failing to install appropriate handrails is an example of neglect.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, Law Offices of Wells and McElwee, P.C. may be able to help. We understand the impact that nursing home abuse can have, and we are dedicated to offering compassionate care that you need.