Types of Injuries Claimed in Nursing Homes in Las Vegas

Nursing homes or care facilities are established to provide care and daily necessities for their residents, whether young or elderly—it doesn’t matter. They are bound by federal and state regulations to treat their patients with dignity, respect, and undivided attention.

These care facilities employ professionals who are knowledgeable about medical terms and schedules that are needed. Additionally, they undergo background checks and training provided by their employers. Even after all this, elder abuse and nursing home neglect occur and are more common than one might think.

More than hundreds and thousands of residents suffer from the abuse, neglect, and irresponsible behavior of these facilities, leading to chronic and life-threatening situations.

Nursing home injuries can occur when staff forget to administer medication on time, fail to provide hourly care to those who need it most, shout at residents, or consciously harm them.

If you have seen such signs or your close ones have been victims of nursing home injuries, take legal action right away. Consult a renowned law firm like Ace Law Group to help you with your lawsuit.

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What’s Considered Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse refers to the actions of staff members who consciously hit, punch, or cause any physical damage to the residents. Neglect occurs when staff forget or make mistakes in addressing a resident’s prevailing health and well-being.

Being of a certain age or having a medical condition increases the risk of falls, infections, and injuries. The staff members sometimes treat them with pure negligence, doing the exact opposite of their job.

Signs such as burns, scratches, head injuries, panic, and depression might indicate physical and mental abuse. It can leave the resident permanently disabled, traumatized, or even result in death in some cases.

If you suspect that there have been unforeseen events in the facility indicating abuse, do not hesitate to proceed with your claim.

Common Types Of Nursing Home Injuries

Some injuries might result from fatal accidents, like fractures, while others may indicate trauma, extortion, or assault.

Bedrail injuries: Bedrails are embedded in the resident’s bed to prevent falls. Most often, residents who require hourly attention and care may get stuck between the mattress and the bed rails, which can lead to suffocation, breathing problems, cardiac arrest, or falls.
Burns: Some elders require assistance with their cleanup. The nursing home staff must ensure the water temperature is adequate and normal. Otherwise, it can lead to severe burns and damage.
Bedsores: This is one of the most commonly occurring injuries, also called pressure ulcers. It usually happens when a resident or patient is left too long in the same position or side of the bed. It can lead to skin damage, necrosis, and infection. It may look normal at first but can evolve, causing life-threatening damage if left untreated.
Fractures: As one grows older, bones become weaker. This type of injury occurs when the resident puts too much pressure or weight on their bones or lifts heavy things. If someone has a hip or neck fracture, they are more likely to develop lung or heart disease. Elderly individuals with several broken bones may die within a year or two.
Concussions: This type of injury occurs from a head injury leading to trauma to the brain. If the individual residing in the nursing home has been hit on the head or has fallen frequently, there is a significant chance they are suffering from a traumatic brain injury or concussion. It can be critical, leading to several health problems and cerebral hemorrhage.
Falls: Falls are a major cause of nursing home injuries, including spinal fractures, broken bones, bleeding, brain damage, and concussions. Falls can even lead to death.
Infections: Nursing home professionals are required by the code of conduct to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness of the elderly. When they fail to do so, bacteria can accumulate, worsening the residents’ condition. It has been found that around 1.3 million infections occur in nursing homes, with approximately 400,000 residents dying as a result.