Four Common Nursing Home Injuries
Nursing homes ideally provide safe, nurturing environments for individuals who cannot live on their own. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents in Florida and throughout the United States find themselves suffering from illness and injury as a result of poor sanitation, unsafe conditions, and abuse from their caregivers. When this happens, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for his or her damages through a nursing home abuse claim.
If your elderly parent or other loved one resides in a nursing home, you need to be his or her advocate. If you suspect he or she is being abused, neglected, or that he or she is living in an unhealthy or unsafe environment, get involved and contact an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney.
Bedsores
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, are lesions on the body that develop when an individual is kept in one position for a prolonged period of time. Bedsores are most likely to develop on areas of the body where the skin is close to the bone, such as the ankles and elbows. Bedsores can be very dangerous because they can easily become infected, which can put the victim’s health and life at risk.
Falls
Elderly people have a higher risk of falling than younger individuals for two reasons: lessened muscle strength in their legs and a diminished sense of balance. Because of this, nursing homes need to be equipped with lowered furniture and handrails in rooms and hallways to make walking and standing easier for residents. When an individual falls because of furniture that is too tall, a missing or unsecured handrail, or a hazard like an unsecured carpet or wire, he or she can suffer serious injuries like a broken bone or head trauma.
Medication Errors
Most nursing home residents take medication every day. This medication needs to be administered correctly for it to be effective. Too much, too little, or the wrong type of medicine can cause an individual to experience a worsened condition or develop life-threatening complications. Medication errors are a type of medical malpractice, which refers to any injury or worsened condition that was caused by a healthcare provider’s negligence.
Dehydration
If an individual does not consume enough water, he or she may become dehydrated. This can lead to a variety of complications, such as kidney failure, seizures, heat injury, shock, and electrolyte abnormalities. Dehydration can frequently occur in nursing home residents who cannot drink on their own. When nursing home staff members are overburdened, it can be difficult for them to keep track of how much water every resident has drank.
Work with a Winter Park Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
Our team of experienced Florida nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Hornsby Law can help you pursue a claim on your loved one’s behalf. To learn more about this process and your loved one’s rights, contact Hornsby Law today to schedule your initial legal consultation with a member of our firm. We are here to help you be the advocate your loved one deserves.