What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries in Nursing Homes?

Senior citizens are at great risk of suffering a spinal cord injury, particularly if they fall. Falling can cause a number of serious conditions and diseases, such as paralysis and pneumonia. Residents in nursing homes need regular monitoring to prevent injuries to the spinal cord. If a resident does suffer a spinal cord injury, it is critical that they obtain treatment right away. Below, our Tampa paralysis attorney explains the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, the complications associated with them, and why seniors are at such risk.

Why Do Spinal Cord Injuries Happen in Nursing Homes? 

Nursing home residents are at risk of spinal cord injuries for a number of different reasons. The most common of these include:

• They trip and fall while performing daily tasks, such as getting out of bed, walking, or taking a shower
• They are dropped by staff members while being transported from one place to another
• They are pushed to the floor by an abusive staff member
• Staff members do not provide residents with the appropriate equipment to help them stand or move
• Floors in hallways or rooms are not clear of debris or clutter

Due to the fact that nursing home residents need assistance when going from place to place, the duty of care lies on nursing home staff members and nurses. When staff members are negligent or abusive, they are at least partly responsible when a resident suffers a spinal cord injury.

What Complications Do Spinal Cord Injuries Cause? 

A spinal cord injury is serious enough in itself, but these injuries can lead to other complications, as well. They include:

• Respiratory issues and difficulty breathing
• Paralysis of the legs, arms, and other body parts
• Total or partial loss of feeling in a part of the body
• Coordination issues
• Uncontrolled bowel movements

Although some nursing home residents can recover from a minor spinal cord injury over time, others never fully recover. When complications arise from a permanent or long-term injury, it can cause an elderly patient’s health to deteriorate.

Why are Seniors at Such Risk for Spinal Cord Injuries? 

Falling is the main cause of spinal cord injuries in seniors. According to a study conducted in 2017, approximately 60 percent of spinal cord injuries in seniors are caused by falls. The bodies of senior citizens are much more frail and delicate, which can make it easy for a fall to cause a serious injury. This also makes it harder for seniors to recover from a spinal cord injury. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), over one in four senior citizens fall every year.

Our Paralysis Attorney in Tampa Can Help After a Spinal Cord Injury 

If someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury that has led to paralysis or any other complication, you need sound legal advice. At Kohn Law, our Tampa paralysis attorney can provide it so you and your family can obtain the full compensation you need. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to request a free consultation and to learn more.

Sources:

cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5431411/