Injuries are one of the most common tip-offs that somebody is being physically abused. A broken bone could be a sign that severe abuse has taken place. Physical abuse is part of a set form of abuse, known as elder abuse, that is directed towards the elderly. A broken bone can be reflective of the need for higher minimum staffing standards in a nursing home facility. According to the Department of Justice, the majority of older adults live in a community where it is a congregated living situation (such as a nursing home facility). If your loved one broke one or more bones while living in a nursing home, consider that the worst possible explanation, i.e. abuse, may be the culprit. Call us at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation with our team.
A Berwyn Bone Fractures And Breaks Lawyer Can Give You Advice
Accepting the help of a lawyer is never a poor decision, especially if you are considering the possibility that your loved one suffered a fracture caused by abuse in a nursing home setting. Lawyers who handle elder abuse cases in the past may have insight into any evidence, anecdotes, and concerns that you have, and they will begin your case if you decide to bring forth legal action.
A Berwyn bone fractures and breaks lawyer can:
- Review, along with their medical advisor of choice, evidence pertaining to your loved one’s fracture, explaining to you any signs that suggest abuse is possible.
- Speak with your loved one to record their account of events, and aim to relieve any fears they have that reporting abuse could lead to trouble or harm.
- Investigate any other evidence that could shed light on your loved one’s case, such as past medical records and logs that might suggest prior instances of abuse at the nursing home.
- Handle your case for compensation from start to finish.
- Defend your loved one’s rights while pursuing justice.
This is just a snapshot of the value that a lawyer can bring to your case. There is no way to spell out all that a Berwyn bone fractures and breaks attorney can do for you and your loved one. On top of handling all your legal needs, a lawyer will answer questions you have about what constitutes as abuse. An attorney will also determine if your loved one was a victim of abuse.
Elder Abuse is Not Uncommon in Nursing Homes
While many nursing home staffers — doctors, nurses, and other caregivers included — care deeply for their patients, it takes only one abuser in a nursing home to put your loved one at serious risk of injury and death. The first line of defense for your loved one is nursing home management, and they may be legally at fault for:
- Creating a culture where patient care falls by the wayside as cost-cutting and expediency come first.
- Failing to adequately pay high-quality employees, instead, choosing less qualified and even potentially dangerous employees.
- Not training each new employee in best practices, including abuse prevention and emergency response in the case of a broken bone or other serious injuries.
- Not conducting regular reviews of best caregiving practices.
- Not making clear that abuse, neglect, and other forms of mistreatment are grounds for immediate termination and, if appropriate, prosecution.
- Not implementing clear, consistent caregiving schedules so that each resident receives the attention that they need.
- Overworking employees that puts residents such as your loved one at risk. This is sometimes referred to as understaffing, and maybe the root cause of many problems in your loved one’s nursing home.
- Failing to conduct extensive background checks for all employees hired.
Such failures by the nursing home administrators increases the odds that your loved one could be neglected, abused, or exploited. It also increases your loved one’s odd of sustaining a broken bone. Call us at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to speak about your options after your loved one has suffered a broken bone.
Possible Causes of Broken Bones in The Elderly
While negligence at the highest levels of a nursing home may make it possible, or even likely for your loved one to suffer serious injury such as a fracture, the specific circumstances of the broken bone are also important to know. Such circumstances may ultimately impact your loved one’s ability to obtain compensation for their losses if negligence was a factor in their injury.
Some possible direct causes of a broken bone in an elderly nursing home resident could include:
- Physical abuse, which could include somebody twisting your loved one’s limb, striking them with enough force to cause a fracture, throwing them to the ground, or doing anything else that results in a broken bone.
- A fall that was the result of inadequate monitoring or assistance by those in charge of caring for your loved one.
- Abuse by another resident.
- A fall caused by dangerous conditions in the nursing home, such as a slippery or cluttered floor.
A broken bone or fracture can happen because of many different reasons, and many of them qualify as neglect.
For a free legal consultation with a Bone Fractures and Breaks Lawyer serving Berwyn, call (800) 794-0444
Do Not Wait to Take Action
When a loved one suffers a serious injury, a lawyer can be helpful as they can investigate the circumstances and bring any necessary legal action. Acting quickly can:
- Ensure that your case for compensation falls within any relevant statutes of limitation.
- Prevent liable parties from hiding, destroying, or otherwise disposing of evidence of abuse, neglect, or other mistreatment.
- Ensure that your loved one is compensated as soon as possible if they suffered mistreatment, which may provide funds to help relocate them to a safe location.
- Put an end to uncertainty about the safety of your loved one in their current nursing home.
Connect with a Berwyn bone fractures and breaks lawyer to speak about your case and the necessary action you should take to investigate your loved one’s broken bone(s).
Berwyn Bone Fractures and Breaks Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call Our Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
We do not shy away from tough cases, and our clients pay nothing up front or out of pocket. Call us today for a free consultation about ensuring safety and justice for your loved one.
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