Nursing home residents are a vulnerable population. Due to the health conditions and risks of being an advanced age and the chronic understaffing of nursing home facilities, many nursing home residents experience neglect, abuse, or both.
Elder abuse and neglect can take many different forms, but one sign of possible mistreatment includes bone fractures and breaks. Bone injuries can be the result of accidental trauma, malicious assault, or health conditions such as osteoporosis. Nursing home facilities and their employees have a responsibility to do all they can to prevent injuries like these from occurring.
If you believe your loved one suffers or suffered from mistreatment in a nursing home because of bone injuries, a Kansas City bone fractures and breaks lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. Our team can pursue legal action on your loved one’s behalf and even help you receive compensation for your losses. To get started, contact us today at (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation.
Risk of Bone Fractures and Breaks in Nursing Homes
The elderly residents of nursing home facilities are naturally at risk for bone fractures and breaks because of their advanced age. As people age, they lose bone density. Many older adults, especially women, also develop osteoporosis—a disease that weakens the bones and makes them easier to break.
Besides the loss of bone strength that comes with age, there are many other natural risk factors of bone injuries for nursing home residents. Most bone breaks result from falls, which can frequently occur for residents with mobility issues, cognitive impairment, and other health conditions. Experiencing a bone break or fracture is also more dangerous when you are elderly because it is more difficult for bones to heal. AARP confirms that broken bones increase the risk of death in older adults.
Hip fractures are the most common bone injury among nursing home residents. A study published in the Journals of Gerontology found that the incidence of hip fractures is especially high in nursing home residents who are there for more than 100 days. The risk of hip fractures is twice as high for nursing home residents than for those who do not live in these facilities, and one in three nursing home residents dies within 180 days of experiencing a hip fracture.
In addition to the natural risks of broken bones for elderly people, there are also inherent risks for the residents of nursing homes. Improperly trained staff, not enough staff, a lack of supervision or assistance, and even aggression from other residents or staff members can all cause bone injuries in nursing homes.
Common Causes of Bone Fractures and Breaks in Nursing Homes
Frequent causes of bone fractures and breaks in nursing homes include:
- Physical abuse or assault
- Failure to assist residents in and out of wheelchairs, beds, etc.
- Failure to provide mobility assistance devices
- Failure to properly secure residents’ feet in wheelchair foot holds
- Incorrectly lifting or transferring residents to and from their beds and chairs
- Permitting residents to wear inappropriate footwear
By providing the proper training, care, and supervision, the staff at nursing homes can help to prevent bone injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a City Bone Fractures and Breaks Lawyer serving Kansas, call (800) 794-0444
Nursing Home Liability for Bone Fractures and Breaks
Bone fractures and breaks are not always the fault of the nursing home or its staff, but they can be. Because nursing homes have a duty to maintain the care and safety of their residents, if your loved one suffers a broken or fractured bone due to abuse or neglect, the nursing home and/or staff can be legally responsible. You may be able to pursue legal action on your loved one’s behalf to recover compensation for their suffering or death.
If you think your loved one’s bone injury in a nursing home was the result of mistreatment, a Kansas City bone fractures and breaks lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. We can make a claim on your behalf and file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to pursue compensation for your loved one’s suffering. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options.
Kansas City Bone Fractures and Breaks Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How the Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Case
If you want to pursue a lawsuit for your loved one’s bone fractures or breaks in a nursing home in Kansas City, you will need to file your claim within the state of Missouri’s statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a law that limits your right to pursue damages in a civil court, and you can lose your right to compensation if you miss this deadline.
For a personal injury lawsuit, Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) §516.120 gives you five years from the date of the injury to file your case. If your loved one died, you have three years to pursue a lawsuit for a wrongful death, as outlined by RSMo §537.100.
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Financial Compensation for Elder Abuse and Neglect
You have a legal right to sue for damages through a civil lawsuit when someone else causes you or your loved one to suffer physical or emotional harm. You should not also have to suffer from the financial burden of medical expenses and other costs.
You may be able to recover awards that address non-economic and economic losses if you pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf. Economic damages refer to your direct expenses, such as medical bills or burial costs. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering or loss of consortium, among others.
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Seek Justice for Your Loved One Today
Contact the Kansas City bone fractures and breaks lawyers with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for help if your loved one suffered bone injuries due to elder abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Our team can investigate the circumstances of their injury or death, gather evidence of mistreatment, negotiate for a fair settlement, and represent you in court if necessary. We are dedicated to helping you seek justice for your loved one.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we work on a contingency basis, which means that you will never owe us any upfront fees. We only take payment if we can obtain a financial award for you. To learn more, contact us today at (800) 842-6336 for a free case review.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form