Accidents can happen anywhere. However, when you move your elderly relative into a nursing home, you have the right to expect that they experience around-the-clock care. Nursing home staff should be at hand to minimize risks from accidents, such as falls. If your loved one suffered an accident in a nursing home, such as a serious fall or scalding with hot water, they could be the victim of nursing home neglect.
Other potentially avoidable accidents that could raise some red flags about a nursing home could include incidents such as:
- Burns from unsupervised fires or heaters
- Trips due to cluttered walking surfaces
- Accidents arising from residents wandering off the property unsupervised
You should always investigate any accidents closely, as they could be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. New and unexplained injuries could be a warning sign that something is not right.
If your loved one suffered serious injuries or died as a result of an accident in their extended care facility, you may want to seek counsel from a Columbus nursing home accident lawyer’s office as soon as possible.
You might be able to hold the nursing home responsible for your loved one’s injuries and expenses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now for a free case evaluation at (800) 842-6336.
Avoidable Accidents in Nursing Homes
While not all accidents that happen in nursing homes are preventable, the nursing home is responsible for the safety of all residents. Any accident that happens due to negligence could result in legal recourse for the nursing home resident and their family. Avoidable accidents could include:
Elopement Accidents
If the nursing home fails to supervise residents adequately, and a senior suffers harm while wandering around the nursing home or eloping from the facility entirely, the nursing home could be liable for any injuries and expenses. A resident may suffer heatstroke or hypothermia in adverse weather, get hit by a car when navigating traffic, or encounter dangerous medications and chemicals while wandering throughout the nursing home.
Accidents Due to Hazardous Conditions
Nursing homes, just like other property owners, must ensure there are no hazardous or dangerous conditions present at the property. If a nursing home resident trips and falls due to bulging carpeting, cluttered walkways, or spillages on floors, they could receive compensation.
Accidents Arising from General Neglect
Residents can experience various accidents due to general neglect. Already-frail seniors may come into harm if they do not receive assistance when moving about the facility. Failing to supervise residents adequately, for example, at bath time, can lead to scalds and burns.
Accidents in the nursing home can happen for many reasons. However, if the nursing home negligently caused your elderly relative’s accident and damages, you could sue the facility. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to find out more about how a Columbus nursing home accident lawyer can help.
Injuries in Nursing Home Accidents
Falls are probably the most common accidents that pose a significant risk to nursing home residents’ health and well-being. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that millions of older adults suffer from falls each year. According to the CDC, one out of every five falls causes a serious injury to seniors. Injuries from falls can include:
- Head and brain injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Contusions
- Pelvic and hip fractures
- Arm and wrist fractures
- Broken ankles and feet
- Fractured knees
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Cuts and lacerations
- Sprains and dislocations
Injuries resulting from serious falls can impact an elderly person’s quality of life dramatically. Some nursing home residents never fully recover from their injuries and may experience reduced mobility and a shortened life expectancy as a result. Fractures of large bones, such as the pelvis, can be particularly devastating for a senior who might end up immobile and with permanent disabilities. The psychological effects of such injuries can also be significant.
Injuries from falls may require expensive surgeries and weeks in the hospital, resulting in a stack of medical bills. If your loved one has suffered an accident and injuries in their nursing home lately, do not dismiss the possibility that the nursing home could have been negligent. Let a Columbus nursing home accident lawyer assess the accident in a free initial consultation. You could hold a negligent nursing home accountable for your loved one’s physical, emotional, and financial damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Columbus Nursing Home Accidents Lawyer serving Columbus, call (800) 842-6336
Compensation in Nursing Home Accidents
There is no average settlement for a senior who suffered an accident due to a nursing home’s negligence. However, a lawsuit could help the resident and their family recover the following types of damages and others:
- Costs for surgeries and hospital stays
- Medication costs
- Medical transportation costs
- Miscellaneous expenses
- Awards for physical and mental pain and anguish
- Awards for loss of life quality
To receive compensation, a plaintiff will have to prove a nursing home’s negligence with the relevant evidence. In some cases, this can be tricky. However, your Columbus nursing home accident lawyer can help with every aspect of your case, including gathering the evidence needed to build your case against the nursing home.
Columbus Columbus Nursing Home Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
Ohio’s Statute of Limitations
If you have been thinking about contacting a nursing home attorney but have not yet done so, consider acting immediately. According to Ohio Revised Statutes (ORC) §2305.10, the time limit for personal injury lawsuits is generally two years, starting on the injury date. Missing the deadline could bar plaintiffs from receiving compensation and justice.
You may not wish to file suit immediately after an injury occurred. However, getting legal advice as soon as possible can help you assess your options. Timely action can also be crucial for gathering evidence of a nursing home’s negligence and potential witness statements while the incident is still fresh in people’s minds.
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We Can Fight for Your Loved One’s Rights
Do not wait to act; contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for help today. The sooner you file your legal action, the sooner you could receive financial awards that provide comfort to your loved one and help with the expenses for medical therapies that aid their recovery. Call us today at (800) 842-6336 to speak to a member of our team.
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