You should never need to decide between living a dignified life and getting the medical help you need as you grow older. Truthfully, some nursing home organizations do not live up to the required standard of care, making this a real consideration for older people and their loved ones. When nursing home abuse or neglect happens, it is not always intentional. However, that does not undo the harm that your loved one suffers as a result.
Consider your legal options after a case of suspected nursing home abuse or neglect. Accidents that cause broken bones can be prevented with proper precautions. Your loved one should not have to suffer at the hands of their long-term medical care providers. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now to get information on how a Savannah bone fractures and breaks lawyer can help you get started.
Broken Bones in Nursing Homes
It is no secret that even seemingly minor falls can result in serious injuries like broken bones in the wrist, arms, ankles, or hips. Less commonly known is that one in 4 people over 65 fall each year, according to the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, 20% of those falls result in serious injuries, like broken bones. This type of easily preventable accident could be one of the first reasons why you considered helping a parent or spouse move into a nursing home.
When these types of preventable accidents happen, there are legal options to help protect and defend your loved one’s rights as a nursing home resident. Between state and federal laws, your loved one is protected and entitled to the good quality care that helps prevent falls from happening.
Recovery Time and Considerations for Broken Bones
Your loved one will need time to heal after a broken bone, whether the break happened due to a fall, a bone disease like osteoporosis, or general overuse. When people 65 and older break bones, there is a chance that the bone will never fully heal. Not only are older people more prone to serious injuries from accidents, but they may require extra healing time for bone breaks and fractures too.
Recovery time after a broken bone will vary on general health conditions, any chronic diseases like osteoporosis, and the location of the fracture, among other factors. One important factor for healing time is the type of fracture that happens, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
- Stable fracture: Less severe fracture, where the broken ends mostly line up and allow for easier healing.
- Open/Compound fracture: This generally involves visible fracturing, with the potential for the bone to break through the skin.
- Comminuted fracture: This is when a bone fractures into three or more pieces, making healing less predictable than a stable fracture.
Healing will be different for every individual who breaks a bone, and so will liability in each case. Treatment for broken bones do not always require surgery, but serious fractures that older people experience, like hip bone fractures, can require invasive emergency treatment with surgery. Additionally, older people who break bones are more likely to break them again, suffer chronic pain around the original break, and retain a fear of independent movement even after they heal completely.
There are unique circumstances for every nursing home resident’s story. A Savannah bone fractures and breaks lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you determine the full scope of your potential legal case when you need to hold liable parties accountable.
Legal Options for Nursing Home Bone Fractures and Breaks
After your loved one suffers from a broken bone injury, the chances are that the accident was preventable. Even in cases where nursing home abuse or neglect is unintentional, your loved one suffers unnecessarily all the same. That is only one of the reasons to seek legal advice as soon as you think you may have a case.
When you are considering filing a civil lawsuit in a case of nursing home abuse or neglect, you will want to prove that the actions or inaction of the nursing home led to the injuries and extra costs you and your loved one faced as a result. You may want to consider any of the following claim types after nursing home bone fractures and breaks:
- Personal Injury Due to Negligence or Wrongful Death
- Breach of Contract
- Medical Malpractice
The list of potential lawsuit types above is not exhaustive of your options. A lawyer can review the details of your case and advise you on your best options. Again, every individual’s needs for a lawsuit will vary, and the scope of your potential legal options is wide.
Laws Against Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
With the growing population of people who seek long-term care in a nursing home, it can help to review all legislation that might concern your case in a unique way:
- Nursing Home Reform Act & Nursing Home Resident Rights
- Social Security Act
- Older Americans Act
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Georgia-specific Elder Abuse Laws
A lawyer with knowledge about nursing home laws in Georgia will be able to navigate the nuanced legislation surrounding nursing home care and nursing home professionals. Additionally, lawyers can work to investigate your loved one’s nursing home for any clear signs of misconduct. In any case, working with a lawyer might help with pursuing a legal case against negligent nursing homes.
For a free legal consultation with a Savannah Bone Fractures and Breaks Lawyer serving Savannah, call (800) 794-0444
You Are Not Alone in a Nursing Home Neglect Case
You do not have to handle a nursing home abuse or neglect case alone. Do not wait for circumstances to get worse for you or your loved one. Bring negligent and abusive parties to justice, and hold nursing homes accountable for the fair treatment of your loved one.
When you work with a Savannah bone fractures and breaks lawyer, helping your loved one recover and regain dignity and strength is our first priority. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for a free consultation with a member of our team.
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