The Impact of Broken Bones in Residents Caused by Nursing Home Neglect
When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you should be able to have peace of mind that they are safe and receiving the best care and attention possible. However, neglect and abuse are common in nursing homes and can lead to a variety of problems. Neglect is one of the biggest reasons why nursing home residents experience broken bones. And the result of broken bones in elderly people can lead to other more serious health issues. A bedsore attorney in Brooklyn, NY will suggest seeking legal action against the nursing home if neglect is suspected. Here are some of the impacts of broken bones in residents caused by nursing home neglect.
What Causes Residents To Break Bones In Nursing Homes?
Accidents can happen at any time. However, if a nursing home staff is doing their jobs properly, then the risk of accidents happening should decrease significantly. A bedsore lawyer in Nassau County has seen many different reasons why nursing home residents break bones, including:
- Neglect
- Physical abuse
- Mental health issues
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Vision impairments
- Seizures or fainting
- Falling from the bed
Proper supervision and assistance from the nursing home staff should be able to prevent these issues from occurring. By checking on residents consistently and being staffed appropriately, the risk of residents breaking bones in nursing homes can decrease significantly.
Common Broken Bones Nursing Home Residents Experience
Elderly people generally have more fragile bones than younger people, so extra care is required to keep them safe and healthy. Nursing home residents can experience a broken bone anywhere on the body, but the most common areas are:
- Arms
- Legs
- Hip
- Foot or ankle
- Back
- Hands
- Pelvis
It’s important to know exactly where the broken bone is since it can help doctors determine what most likely caused it. A bedsore attorney also needs to know this information if legal action is pursued. Many times, nursing homes will explain how the injury occurred, but after further investigation, the story doesn’t match the type of injury. This is when having an experienced bedsore attorney is valuable.
Broken Bones Increase Health Risks
Broken bones typically heal normally when provided proper care and treatment. However, the largest concerns are often when those broken bones lead to other health risks in elderly patients. Pre-existing conditions should also be taken into consideration, as well as the person’s current medical condition. The most common health risks associated with broken bones include:
- Being weaker than normal
- Not being able to balance as easily
- Having physical limitations
- Malnutrition
- Depression or isolation
Nursing Homes Should Provide Proper Care To Residents With Broken Bones
Sometimes injuries like a broken hip require patients to be on bed rest for a significant amount of time. When this occurs, the patient increases their risk of developing health conditions, including bedsores. Of course, many of the complications are preventable when nursing home staff members provide appropriate care to the resident.
In the event the resident requires surgery to repair a broken bone, nursing home staff members should dedicate extra care and attention to the resident. It’s their responsibility to do so and stick with the care instructions provided by the doctor or surgeon. Without the appropriate care, residents can experience bedsores, blood clots, and other types of issues. If you believe your loved one isn’t getting the proper care needed at the nursing home, then speaking with a bedsore attorney right away is recommended.
Pursuing Legal Action Against Nursing Homes
When you talk to a bedsore attorney about potential negligence that led to your loved one breaking one or more bones, it’s important to provide them with all the facts and information known to you. Every piece of information you have could be valuable to a bedsore attorney, so don’t leave anything out and let them decide whether it can be used or not.
The complications of breaking a bone in a nursing home can be long-lasting for your loved one. Not only is their quality of life altered, but it could also create financial concerns. When you pursue legal action with a bedsore attorney, your loved one could receive financial compensation to help with:
- Medical devices and other costs
- Medication
- Physical therapy sessions
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
When you consider the long-term costs associated with breaking a bone, any compensation received can go a long way in reducing the financial burden you and your loved one experience.
Reach Out To A Reputable Lawyer Right Away
It’s important to reach out to a bedsore attorney as soon as possible when your loved one breaks a bone in a nursing home. When you’re dealing with nursing home staff members, doctors, surgeons, and other people, it’s easy for information to be forgotten. A bedsore attorney needs to know all of the facts so they can put together the story of exactly what happened and build a strong legal case. Nursing home staff members will often cover themselves by telling a different story, so having an attorney on your side is valuable.
Sinel & Olesen, PLLC has dealt with numerous nursing home lawsuits over the years. Neglect is one of the main causes of injuries and other serious health conditions nursing home residents experience. Most of them are avoidable, which leads to a stronger legal case. Working with an experienced and trusted attorney is critical, so contact us right away to schedule a free case evaluation if you or a loved one broke a bone while in a nursing home.