Common Nursing Home Abuse Injuries
If you have an elderly loved one that has been harmed because of neglectful or abusive treatment in a long-term living facility, the net is often in your best interest to reach out to the nursing home abuse lawyer. The lawyers are able to explain your family member’s legal rights and fight for the compensation and justice they rightly deserve.
Unfortunately, it has been shown that elderly persons are significantly more likely to become victims of abuse or neglect at nursing homes or other long-term care facilities than those who live at home. Knowing the common types of injuries caused by nursing home abuse or neglect it can help you protect your loved one’s rights and ensure their safety.
Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
The sad truth is that nursing home abuse, and neglect are incredibly common in the United States. It has been reported that about 50% of nursing home staff have reported abuse or neglect of elderly residents. Abuse or neglect and nursing homes can include physical, emotional, sexual, or even financial abuse.
Here are some of the most common forms of abuse in a nursing home:
- Unreasonable use of chemical or physical restraints
- Use of physical force such as slapping, kicking, shoving, or shaking
- Deprivation of food or water
- Over medication or not receiving necessary medication
- Force-feeding
- An adequate medical care
- Unsanitary conditions
- Isolation from friends or other social support
- Fall accidents that could have been prevented with adequate staffing or addressing environmental hazards
Common Types of Nursing Home Injuries
Many nursing home residents often suffer from chronic health problems and are generally more vulnerable than the majority of the population. Unfortunately, a significant number of nursing home injuries are caused by abusive or neglectful treatment facility staff members.
Physical abuse and neglect and long-term care facilities can lead to serious injuries, worsen existing medical conditions, and even result in wrongful death. A study in 2009 revealed that older individuals who suffered from abuse had a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who have not been abused.
Here are common nursing home injuries:
- Sprains are fractures from falls or physical trauma
- Infections
- Choking
- Bedsores are pressure ulcers
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Unexplained lacerations, scratches, or bruises
- Burns
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cognitive impairments such as confusion or disorientation
- Premature death
Nursing home abuse is serious and all too common. No matter the circumstances that led up to the abuse or neglect, it is never okay. When you place your loved one in one of these facilities, you are trusting that they are going to take care of your loved one and ensure their safety.
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you can completely understand how devastating it can be. Reaching out to a nursing home abuse lawyer like our friends at Davis & Brusca, LLC, is a great way to start the process of getting the compensation and justice your loved one deserves.