One of life’s ironic twists is that someday we may be tasked with caring for an elderly parent, just as they spent the early parts of our lives caring for us. Unfortunately, there are often times when the care needed by an elderly parent or relative exceeds what you are reasonably able to provide. Many times, an elderly parent requires around-the-clock medical attention. Other times, even staying at home alone while you work isn’t an option for someone who needs constant attention. Often, the best place for this type of care is at a nursing home.
Nursing homes can be an excellent resource at providing sustained care for medically at-need individuals. They have the time, money, and resources to provide the care that your mom, dad, or loved one needs. That’s why the cost is extraordinary, costing thousands of dollars every month, which is rarely covered by private health insurance. However, just like every other health care provider, they owe their patients a higher duty of care. Sometimes, that duty may not be met. Accidents happen, but when they happen to someone in a vulnerable sect, like a nursing home resident, those accidents can have severe results.
Nursing home injuries could involve multiple causes of actions, but the most common claims are for negligence on the part of the staff at the nursing home. If a patient/resident at a nursing home suffers injuries due to negligence on the part of the staff, the staff and facility could be found liable for resulting damages, e.g., pain and suffering.
In a negligence or malpractice case, the plaintiff, i.e., the injured person filing the lawsuit, would be the patient/resident him or herself or a guardian or health care proxy. As in any negligence case, a plaintiff would need to demonstrate that there was a breach of duty or the “standard of care” in order to recover damages. If the plaintiff can demonstrate that the actions or inactions of the nursing home staff breached the duty of care, then negligence is found. Issues with inaction by the staff are common in these claims and often lead to malnutrition or “bed sores” from lack of activity.
Types of Nursing Home Injuries
There are many causes of nursing home accidents, but common ones include: 1) Nursing Home Falls; 2) Medication Injuries; 3) Malnutrition and Dehydration; 4) Neglect; 5) Bed Sores; and 6) even Physical or Sexual Abuse (these can also be classified under another cause of action, often assault and battery).
No matter what the cause of a nursing home injury, the results can be severe. Elderly residents of nursing homes are usually physically and/or mentally compromised. Nursing home residents often do not have the physical ability to actively recover from these injuries, especially serious ones such as broken bones and fractured hips. Further, they often may not realize that the deterioration of their condition is due to the actions or inactions of those taking care of them.
Experienced Nursing Home Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one was injured in a nursing home, it’s important that you find a lawyer who know that when someone’s mobility is already limited, adding another injury can be catastrophic. We understand that what would have been a relatively minor injury for someone who was young and healthy can be a permanently debilitating injury for someone who is infirm and in a nursing home.
At the same time, our Nursing Home Injury Lawyers understand that this is personal for you. You trusted the nursing home to take care of your mom, dad, husband, or wife. They told you that they’d take great care of them, and that they’ll treat them like family. Then, once the doors were closed and they were going, they broke their promise.
If you or a loved one was injured or taken advantage of in a nursing home, call the Lowell Nursing Home Injury Lawyers at Marcotte Law Firm for a free, no obligation consultation.