Common Injuries Caused By Nursing Home Neglect

Throughout the U.S., elderly nursing home residents are at risk of preventable injuries due to a variety of causes. Some of these injuries are the result of medical or surgical errors on the part of doctors, while others are the result of physical or sexual abuse on the part of nursing home staff. However, it is also unfortunately common for residents to suffer injuries simply due to negligence or neglect in the facilities where they live. It is important to recognize some of the injuries that can be caused by nursing home neglect so that you can protect yourself or your loved ones and hold any negligent parties accountable.

Injuries in Illinois Nursing Homes

Nursing home neglect can happen because of a staff member’s disregard for their duties, but it is often a symptom of more systemic problems within the facility, like understaffing, overcrowding, or insufficient training of staff. Some of the injuries that can happen as a result include:

• Bedsores - Bedsores can develop when a resident is left in the same position for an extended period of time, especially if the resident is not regularly bathed and their bedding is not regularly changed.
• Fall injuries - Some nursing home residents, especially those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions, are prone to wandering around or outside of the facility if left unsupervised. This puts them at risk of falling and suffering broken bones or head injuries, especially if there are tripping or slipping hazards throughout the facility.
• Medication incidents - Many residents rely on nursing home staff to administer the medication they need for various health conditions. However, staff members may err by administering the wrong dose or the wrong medication, or by leaving medication in a place where residents can access it without supervision.
• Dehydration and malnutrition - Residents who are not provided with proper food and water on a regular basis can suffer from adverse health effects.
• Choking and suffocation - Residents who need feeding assistance may be at risk of choking if their food is not prepared properly or they are left to feed themselves. Breathing tube and feeding tube incidents can also lead to suffocation.
• Emotional distress - The effects of nursing home neglect can also take a toll on a resident’s mental health, which may cause or exacerbate conditions like anxiety and depression.

Contact a Lake County Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

If you or your loved one has suffered an injury in a nursing home, the experienced Waukegan personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP can help you determine if neglect or negligence was a contributing factor. If so, we can help you recover compensation from the facility for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Contact us today at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98786/