What Types Of Accidents Happen In Nursing Homes?
People place their loved ones in nursing homes when elders can no longer care for themselves, or the family can no longer provide the proper support the elder needs. No one expects their family member to become injured while in a nursing home, but it happens all too often. There are many different types of accidents that occur in these facilities, and they can all result in serious injuries. Not all of these accidents are caused by nursing home neglect and abuse, but many of them are. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer explains the most common types of accidents that occur in nursing homes.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are one of the most common types of accidents in nursing homes. In fact, almost half of the 1.6 million nursing homes residents throughout the country fall every year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Resource and Quality. There are many causes of these accidents. Debris on the floor can cause seniors to trip or slip, and poor lighting conditions can make it harder for elders to see where they are going. Falls are not only common among the elderly, but they can also have drastic consequences. For approximately 4.5 percent of residents over the age of 70 who fall, the accident is fatal.
Malnutrition and Dehydration
Nursing homes have a responsibility to make sure residents are properly cared for, which means making sure they have enough to eat and drink. Residents may suffer from malnutrition and dehydration when nursing home staff members do not ensure they have a proper diet. Residents who suffer from cognitive conditions, such as dementia, may also forget to eat enough food or drink sufficient amounts of water. Even when this is the case, nursing home staff members still have a legal obligation to ensure patients do not suffer.
Medical Malpractice
Residents receive a lot of medical care in nursing homes. They may need to see an on-site doctor or nurse and become hurt due to medical negligence. The on-site medical staff may fail to diagnose a condition, or they may not provide the treatment a resident needs. Nursing home residents also often take many different types of medications. Nursing home staff members may mix up those medications, or they may not administer the right dosage when giving the drugs to the patient. Medication errors are often caused by understaffing, which is a chronic problem in nursing homes in Florida, and throughout the country.
Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Tampa Can Help After an Accident
If your loved one has suffered from an accident, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyer can advise you of your legal options. At Kohn Law, our seasoned attorney is dedicated to helping the most vulnerable sector of our sector, and will work tirelessly to help you and your family secure the financial compensation you rightly deserve. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more.
Sources:
ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/long-term-care/resource/injuries/fallspx/man1.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
