What are the most common causes of nursing home injuries?

Posted in Firm News, Medical Malpractice on March 8, 2017

If you have a loved one in a Washington nursing home, then you may be concerned about possible neglect or abuse. In order to be able to recognize such situations, you need to understand the common causes of injuries in nursing homes. According to NursingHomeAbuseGuide.org, there are some injuries that are accidental in nature, which commonly includes those due to slips, falls and trips.

However, in order to really understand the cause of your loved one’s injury, you need to understand their medical and physical condition. For example, if your loved one does not have issues with balance or remaining steady when walking, then a fall could be suspect. On the other hand, if your loved one does have those issues, then it could be likely the fall was an accident. In all cases, you should look for common signs that indicate abuse or neglect.

You may most easily notice behavioral signs first. This includes moodiness or an unexplained change from being outgoing to being withdrawn. If you see that your loved one seems afraid, especially of nursing home staff, this is another sign something is wrong.

Physical signs of abuse are clear indicators that you should be on alert. Look for injuries that have no real explanation. If nobody can tell you how something happened, then there is cause for concern. In addition, if your loved one is bed bound, then he or she should not be experiencing injuries, such as cuts or bruises. Serious medical issues, like dehydration, are also something that should not be occurring without a reasonable explanation. Watch for bed sores, which are a sign of neglect if they are at an advanced stage. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.