There are nursing home facilities in Florida and around the country that take pride in providing superior care for the residents. Unfortunately, there are also countless inadequate facilities that do not provide the proper level of care to residents.
The elderly population in our community deserves to live with respect and dignity. When this is not provided, issues may arise.
When an elderly person experiences physical harm, it typically takes them longer to heal than it would a child or younger adult experiencing the same injuries. This is just one of the many reasons it can be devastating when nursing home residents experience injuries – either by accident or due to abuse.
Another reason that it is upsetting to realize how many residents experience injuries in nursing home facilities is the high cost of living there. If you had to put your elderly loved one in a nursing home, you probably did plenty of research to find the right facility for their needs and your budget.
Finding out that your loved one has been harmed and experienced an injury because of neglect or abuse can be upsetting and frustrating. At this point, it is important to understand that you have legal options. Contact our law firm to discuss your situation and learn the legal recourse you have.
Common Nursing Home Accidents and Injuries
Knowing what types of accidents and injuries can arise from nursing home neglect and abuse will help you know what to watch for.
Falls
Falls are a top concern for many people. It is estimated that around 50% of the 1.6 million people in nursing home facilities will experience a fall at some point. Also, one in three of those who fall will experience this accident multiple times per year.
If a nursing home resident is not injured when they fall, they may develop a fear of falling that makes them limit their activities. Unfortunately, one out of every 10 elderly individuals who do fall experience a serious injury.
When cases of nursing home negligence result in a fall, the most common causes include the following:
- Unsafe personal care equipment or items
- Unsafe equipment
- Environment hazards
Bedsores
A bedsore or pressure ulcer can occur if a resident remains in the same position for an extended amount of time.
When this happens, pressure is put on the part of the skin the individual is laying or sitting on. This is one of the most common causes of bedsores in nursing home residents. Some of the parts of the body that are most susceptible to bedsores include the following:
- Tailbone
- Heel
- Hip
- Ankles
If someone in a nursing home cannot move independently, they need ongoing help to turn over and shift their position. This is necessary to reduce the pressure being exerted on their skin and body. Bedsores may also result because of negligence. Usually, this occurs at understaffed facilities where employees are overworked.
Medication Errors
Many nursing home residents require multiple medications multiple times per day. With many facilities having more than 100 residents, it is easy to see why medication errors are common.
If the nursing home staff does not follow the instructions pharmacists and doctors give, patients may become distressed. It is important to hold these negligent facilities accountable for the harm they cause.
Infections
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), infections are also extremely common among the elderly. In fact, one to three million serious infections occur while individuals are in:
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Skilled nursing facilities
Unfortunately, over 400,000 residents at nursing homes die each year due to infections. Common infections that impact nursing home residents include the following:
- Urinary tract infections
- COVID-19
- Soft tissue and skin infections
- Influenza
- Respiratory infections
- Pneumonia
It is important for nursing home staff members to know about patients’ health issues and do everything they can (within reason) to help prevent an infection from developing. It is usually considered negligence if a facility does not provide adequate protection for residents from infections.
Contact Our Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for Assistance
If you have a loved one who you believe is the victim of neglect or abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, our legal team can help. We understand how to hold the right party liable and to help you get the safe care your loved one deserves. The first step is to contact our office to schedule an initial free consultation to discuss your situation.
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