Has a loved one suffered nursing home injuries? If so, you might be wondering if it was an accident or occurred as a result of abuse.

As seniors get older, the risk of getting injured increases. While nursing homes are supposed to reduce that risk, they cannot completely eliminate it.

However, in some cases, seniors get injured due to nursing home neglect and can be traumatized. In those situations, you should consider hiring a lawyer to build your case.

Read this article to review common nursing home injuries and see if your loved one has been a victim of abuse.

Types of Nursing Home Injuries

There are different types of nursing home injuries. Some of them might be isolated cases such as a senior falling and hurting themselves.

Nursing home injuries become concerning when they are the result of neglect or abuse. Neglect occurs when staff members fail to take proper care of the residents, while abuse is intentional harming of the residents.

Let’s review common injuries and their causes.

Bedsores

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, happen when a senior lies without moving for a long period of time, causing issues such as necrosis and infections.

They may occur when staff members don’t check on the residents adequately and fail to apply treatments.

Bedrail Injuries

Bedrails are meant to prevent residents from falling out of bed. However, they can be a source of danger if they are defective.

It is up to staff members to check up on residents and ensure that they don’t get hurt by a malfunctioning bedrail.

Infections

The most common illnesses in nursing homes include influenza, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections.

Staff members should monitor residents and properly protect them from these infections.

Broken Bones

Senior citizens are frailer and their bones can break more easily. Fractures are often the result of falls, which are a lot more dangerous for nursing home residents as they can lead to complications and death.

In an ideal nursing home, staff members look after residents to prevent them from falling. However, that isn’t always the case.

Falls may be the result of lack of supervision or shortage of staff. Senior citizens are a lot more prone to falling, so nursing home staff members should implement procedures to reduce that risk to a minimum.

Concussions

Concussions happen following a trauma to the head. While they are not generally life-threatening, they should still be properly monitored.

Concussions usually occur after falls. While falls may not be prevented entirely, good nursing homes should have enough staff and take precautions to keep their residents safe.

Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

If your loved one has sustained an injury as a result of neglect or abuse, it’s important to get in touch with a nursing home abuse lawyer.

A specialist lawyer will help you receive due financial compensation. Injuries may prove costly and abusers should be held accountable for the harm they have caused.

Nursing home abuse lawyers are there to ensure you don’t remain powerless in the face of abuse and neglect.

Common Nursing Home Injuries

Nursing home injuries can be extremely damaging and dangerous for residents.

Common injuries such as bedsores, bedrail injuries, broken bones, and concussions are often the result of neglect from nursing home staff members.

By enlisting legal help, you have the opportunity to investigate and receive financial compensation.

Want more information on injuries in a legal context? Check out our Personal Injury articles.