Falls or Fractures
There are more than 43 million people over the age of 65, living in the
United States, many of whom reside in nursing homes because they are in need of
specialized care or assistance. Although nursing home staffs are supposed to
provide a variety of services to assist in the health and well being of
residents, every year countless claims are filed against nursing homes and elder
care facilities for neglect and abuse.
A slip and fall accident is a very serious type of
personal injury, which may
take place in a nursing home as the result of a negligent nursing home staff
that
fails to provide residents with ethical treatment and care. Slip and fall
accidents may cause the elderly victim to suffer a bone fracture, which may be
extremely detrimental depending upon his or her health at the time of the fall.
- Each year, approximately 1,800 nursing home residents die as the results
of falls.
- As many as 6% of nursing home fall victims will suffer from bone
fractures.
- Up to 20% of falls taking place in nursing homes cause the victim to
suffer serious physical injuries.
Neglect is the most common type of elder abuse taking place in nursing homes,
meaning that the nursing home employees lack interest in the health and safety
of the senior citizens residing in the facility. When a caregiver is negligent,
many preventable accidents occur.
Physical abuse is also prevalent in nursing homes across the United States,
and many of the victims are unable to fight back against their abusers. Hitting,
punching, pushing, and tripping are all forms of physical abuse which may result
in a falling accident. Some facilities choose to use physical restraints to
prevent falling accidents, which ensure that an elderly patient cannot move from
a chair, wheelchair, or bed. This is a form of abuse and is unethical; physical
restraints should never be used on an elderly patient.
A fall can cause extreme pain, reduced physical activity, serious
disabilities, and can affect the overall quality of life for the victim. In
addition to physical repercussions, falls and fractures may cause mental
anguish, depression, and other emotional problems. Elderly victims of fall
accidents have the right to use legal action to hold the negligent or abusive
party responsible for the injuries that they have caused.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall accident caused by nursing
home abuse or neglect, resulting in a bone fracture or any other serious
physical injury, you should contact Peterson & Associates immediately to discuss
your legal options.
For more information:
Nursing Home Abuse
FAQs
Nursing
Home Abuse Legal Glossary
Disclaimer
The Missouri and Kansas slip fall injury,
premises liability, property owners negligence, bone fractures or other
personal injury legal information presented at this site should not be
construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or
attorney-client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon
the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or
guarantee. Please contact a slip and fall accident attorney or premises
liability lawyer for a consultation on your particular personal injury
matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside
the states of Missouri and Kansas.
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