Common Injuries from Nursing Home Abuse

Monday, August 31, 2020

Common Injuries from Nursing Home Abuse

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Nursing home abuse and neglect can cause many injuries, some of them severe or even life-threatening. If you see or suspect these injuries, it is time to take action on behalf of your loved one.

Nursing home abuse is far too common in Illinois and throughout America. With a rapidly aging population and an overburdened care system, seniors in nursing homes can easily become victims. According to the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) data, in 2014, 14,258 or 7.6 percent of approximately 188,599 complaints reported to Ombudsman programs involved abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation in nursing homes. 

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is imperative that you are aware of common injuries associated with nursing home abuse. If you suspect an abusive situation, reach out to experienced Nursing home abuse lawyers as soon as possible. 

Common Injuries from Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take on all shapes and forms. However, physical abuse can be the type that is most recognizable due to its often easily visible injuries. 

1. Bedrail injuries—caused by a lack of supervision or even restraint use
2. Bedsores—frequently the result of neglect as nursing home residents should be repositioned at least once every two hours to prevent these pressure ulcers
3. Broken bones— older people have weaker bones that are more likely to break, and fractures can be the result of preventable falls or even intentional abuse
4. Concussions—can also be the result of intentional abuse or a preventable fall, if severe enough some can be fatal
5. Falls—most nursing home falls are preventable
6. Infections—close living quarters make infections a common problem in nursing homes, especially when proper infection control practices are not followed
7. Spinal injuries—these injuries can be extremely painful and debilitating; they can be caused by intentional abuse and falls

If you suspect that your family member or loved one is suffering from abuse at the hands of their nursing home, do not hesitate to call our knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorneys.

Notable Nursing Home Injury Facts

• As many as 28 percent of nursing home residents develop bedsores, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Falls are the most common cause of injuries among seniors in the United States, according to the National Council on Aging. According to the CDC, falls account for 95 percent of hip fractures in the elderly and can also cause traumatic brain injuries.
• Various types of infections kill up to nearly 400,000 people who live in nursing homes every year, according to data from the CDC. Older people typically take longer to recover from concussions, according to the Brain Injury Association of America.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Can Help

When you entrust the care of your family member to a nursing facility, the last thing you expect is for them to suffer injury. The good news is that if you believe the care the nursing home is providing is substandard, there is legal help available. Call (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form to schedule your free no-obligation nursing home case review with the skilled nursing home abuse attorneys today.