The most common causes of bone fractures relate to trauma of the affected area. Bone fractures are further complicated by age, health, and lifestyle. While some older adults endure bone fractures due to osteoporosis or other health conditions, they may also indicate that your loved was is enduring nursing home abuse or neglect.
You have the right to file a compensation claim if the nursing home caring for your family member fails to meet the required duty of medical care toward him or her. Speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney will help you understand your legal options.
How Fracturing a Bone Can Happen in a Nursing Home
It is challenging to establish if the causes of bone fractures to your loved one are attributable to nursing home abuse and neglect. However, not all negligent actions toward him or her are intentional, which means that the nursing home staff caring for him or her may lack proper training.
Your family member may sustain a fractured bone as a result of:
- Falling: Bone fractures might result from nursing home staff improperly handling the patient, poorly lit areas, inadequate assistance, leaving hygiene items out-of-reach, and clutter in common walkways.
- Malfunctioning equipment: Your loved one deserves medical equipment that supports his or her lifestyle needs. Malfunctioning equipment may lead to his or her bone injuries.
- Improperly installed handrails: Older adults rely on the assistance of handrails located in critical areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms. If the handrail is not secure, then it can lead to severe harm.
- Understaffed facilities: Understaffed nursing homes leads to inadequate monitoring and worker exhaustion. When your family member does not receive the necessary attention, he or she is more likely to sustain broken bones.
- Improperly trained staff: Older adults have specific care and handling needs. Failure to meet this standard is dangerously negligent and may signal inadequate staff training.
It is possible that a broken bone is the result of health complications, like osteoporosis or osteopenia. However, fractured bones in older adults are not something that you should ignore.
Types of Bone Fractures in Nursing Homes
Fractured bones can occur at any location in the musculoskeletal system of the human body. The injury point on your loved one depends upon where the injury happened, how it occurred, and other surrounding circumstances.
The most commonly treated types of broken bones in nursing homes include:
- Hip and pelvis.
- Thighs.
- Ribs.
- Neck and spine.
- Arms.
- Hands.
- Ankles and legs.
- Feet.
Broken hips are particularly worrisome for older adults. More than half of residents with a hip fracture pass away, or experience diminished life quality within six months of the injury. Providing a safe space is a reasonable expectation of your loved one’s nursing home.
As you can see, fractures are a significant health risk to nursing home residents and can result in wrongful death against your loved one. Make sure that you investigate all reasons for bone fractures in him or her thoroughly.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Complications That May Arise from Bone Injuries in the Elderly
Survival is just the first step for your family member after experiencing a fracture. Due to his or her age, he or she may experience typical health complications that accompany this type of injury.
Additional complications that may arise from bone fractures may include:
- Bedsores.
- Depression.
- Weight loss.
- Poor hygiene.
- Immobility.
- Death.
While these are just a few complications associated with a fractured bone, there are other types of additional injuries that the nursing home resident may experience. It is vital to ensure that he or she is receiving adequate care and attention to avoid further injury or trauma.
When Fractures Are the Result of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
If you believe that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is essential that you prevent further negligence against him or her. Once he or she is safe, you can address pursuing the facility for a monetary award related to your family member’s financial, physical, and emotional losses.
However, there is a limited time to file an injury claim in every US state, which means that you have limitations on your time to act. Therefore, speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing this critical deadline. Not filing a claim in time means that you generally lose your rights to compensation.
Start protecting your loved one’s rights today. You can learn more about your legal opportunities during a free consultation with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. Contact our team of nursing home abuse lawyers by calling (800) 842-6336.
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