Common Injuries In Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Nursing home abuse is more common than people think and when it happens, elders sustain very serious injuries. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to know what some of the most common injuries are so you can recognize them when they occur. This is the only way to stop the abuse from occurring and to hold the nursing home and its staff members accountable for the abuse.
Bedsores
One of the most common injuries that results from nursing home abuse is bedsores. Also known as pressure ulcers, these injuries occur when certain areas of the body are under constant pressure. Bedsores are most likely to develop on the elbows, the back of the neck, and on the ankles. Bedsores occur when a person is left sitting or laying down for long periods of time and they do not move regularly. It is the responsibility of nursing home staff members to move elders often so they do not develop bedsores.
Bone Fractures
An elder’s bones are very fragile and they break easily. Broken bones that occur later in a person’s life also take longer to heal and they are considered a serious medical condition. Any time a senior breaks a bone, it is important to speak to the nursing home staff members and ask how it occurred.
Bruises
Some seniors bruise very easily while others will only bruise after they have suffered some sort of trauma. While bruises may seem like minor injuries, they only occur when there is damage to the soft tissue and as such, they can be quite serious.
Choking
Some seniors require more attentive care while they are eating than others because they cannot chew their food very well, which can result in choking. Some staff members in nursing homes may simply hand out trays of food without monitoring the consumption of seniors in their care.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs when bacteria enters an open wound, IV line, or catheter and causes a serious infection. Nursing home staff members are responsible for preventing sepsis from occurring and they should seek immediate medical attention for any senior suffering from it.
Wrongful Death
Sometimes, an injury is so serious it results in wrongful death. Sepsis is just one of these. Malnutrition and medication tampering are other common causes of wrongful death in nursing homes. Any time a senior dies while they are in a nursing home, it is important to determine the cause of death to understand whether it was preventable.
Our Florida Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help You Claim Damages for Injuries
If your loved one has suffered an injury, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer at Kohn Law can assist with your case. Attorney Kohn has the necessary experience to determine the cause of your loved one’s injury and will help you claim the damages you or your family member deserves. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
