Nursing Home Injury

Injuries among the elderly are unfortunately common. Elderly loved ones aren’t as agile as they once were. For families with elderly parents, injuries are a regular concern. It’s one reason many families turn to nursing care for their elderly loved ones. The promise of safe, round-the-clock care is what most families need.

Sometimes, families learn too late that their loved one isn’t getting the care that was promised. Nursing home injuries are common and sometimes a warning sign of nursing home abuse.

What Is a Nursing Home Injury?

A nursing home injury is any physical harm that occurs to an elderly patient in a nursing home facility. Sometimes the injury is minor, but other times the injury can be very serious and even put the patient’s life at risk. Nursing home injuries may be a single incident or long-term abuse at the hands of the care facility staff. Common nursing home injuries include falls, bedsores, infections, and broken bones. Once the injuries occur, the patient needs proper care to heal.

Care After An Injury

Long-term care facilities have staff available 24/7. They should be able to provide better care than most people with older family members. Plus, the staff has medical training. Care after any injury is important, and most people trust their loved one is getting the care they need. But, neglect can make any injury worse. It is important to get appropriate care after any injury to ensure proper healing.

Legal Case Against LPN

In the case of H.R. McMaster Sr., nursing home staff did not follow procedures. Mr. McMaster hit his head in a fall at a nursing home. He was discovered with a head injury and the staff had a nurse check on him.

The nurse filled out her paperwork about the incident. Her paperwork described that she checked Mr. McMaster repeatedly according to procedures. But, video evidence discovered by the family’s attorney shows the nurse did not check on Mr. McMaster at all. Mr. McMaster died eight hours after his fall because no one actually checked him as they should have. Mr. McMaster’s death was avoidable, had the nurse provided the care that she claimed to have provided.

Nursing Home Neglect

What happened to Mr. McMaster is a tragedy, though not an uncommon one. COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem of nursing home neglect, sending nursing homes around the country into overdrive. This cannot be accepted as an unsolvable problem. Nursing home facilities must find a way to accommodate every single elder that is in their care. The Associated Press estimates that with every two COVID-19 related deaths of victims in long-term care, there are another two deaths related to neglect. The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act has set standards and rights for people living in certified nursing facilities. If you are putting your loved one into the care of a nursing facility, make sure they are following proper protocols and standards set by this reform act.

Preventing Nursing Home Injuries and Neglect

Although there are rules and regulations in place for care facilities in order to avoid injury to patients, you cannot be sure that the rules will be followed. It is important for families to be proactive in making sure no harm is done to their loved ones. You should research the facility before sending your loved one there. Make sure the facility has the proper tools and staff that your loved one may need. Regular visits and checkups are important in making sure you see no signs of abuse. Stay alert for any signs that abuse may be occurring.

When To Call An Attorney

Nursing home injury can lead to serious problems, and sometimes death. Our elderly loved ones deserve better! When an injury occurs or gets worse because of neglect, you should talk to a lawyer. If your loved one died because of neglect in a nursing home, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Sometimes, even the cause of an injury is enough for a successful lawsuit.

Having the right lawyer makes a big difference in the success or failure of a case. Protect your rights and the rights of your loved ones. A lawsuit can force the negligent nursing home to take accountability and change in ways that protect other residents.