Peoria Nursing Home Broken Bones Attorney
Holding Nursing Homes Accountable for Broken Bones and Other Injuries
Every year, nursing home falls cause thousands of injuries to elderly residents, resulting in pain, disability, and even death. Many of these injuries involve broken bones. Seniors who suffer from bone fractures may experience a loss of mobility and other health issues that can affect their overall well-being. When these types of injuries occur, families may be uncertain about who was responsible. By understanding when nursing home negligence may have played a role in these cases, victims and their loved ones can determine the appropriate steps to take to address these issues.
At Nursing Home Injury Center, we know how difficult it can be for elderly or disabled nursing home residents to recover from broken bones or other serious injuries. We are dedicated to helping injured patients receive the care they need and deserve. We can also help families determine why an injury occurred and the steps that should have been taken to prevent it. We can ensure they take the proper steps to protect their loved one’s health and safety while addressing any forms of negligence that led to an injury.
Common Types of Bone Fracture Injuries That Affect Nursing Home Residents
Elderly residents of nursing homes may be in frail physical condition, and they are more susceptible to suffering serious harm in a fall. As people age, their bone density decreases, making bones more likely to break in a traumatic accident. At the same time, seniors may experience mobility issues that affect their ability to stand or walk without support, and they may be more likely to experience falls due to dangerous conditions such as wet or slippery floors. Because of the possibility of bone fractures in fall injuries, nursing homes should make every effort to ensure that walking areas are safe and that residents are provided with the necessary assistance when moving about.
When fall injuries occur, nursing home residents may experience multiple types of fractures, including:
- Broken hips – In a fall, a person’s hip may strike the ground or other objects, and the pelvis may be fractured. These types of fractures can lead to severe pain and disability. Surgery may be required to correct the damage or perform a hip replacement, and while recovering, a person will likely experience limited mobility.
- Broken wrists – When a person attempts to brace themselves against a fall with their arms, one or both of their wrists may be fractured. These injuries can be highly debilitating, affecting a person’s ability to pick up objects, feed themselves, bathe, use the bathroom, or complete other daily tasks. In some cases, a person may never be able to regain full use of their arms and hands.
- Broken legs – The femur or the bones in the lower leg or ankle may be fractured in a fall. These types of injuries can limit a person’s mobility, making it difficult to get in and out of bed or move throughout a nursing home. They may also result in permanent disabilities that prohibit a person from being able to walk in the future.
- Fractured vertebrae – The bones in the spine may be fractured in a fall, and this may lead to spinal cord injuries that could potentially result in paralysis.
- Skull fractures – If a person hits their head on the ground or other objects, the bones in the skull may be broken, and they may experience traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, these injuries may lead to bleeding in the brain, which can be life-threatening.
Get Help for Nursing Home Residents Who Suffer Broken Bones
At Nursing Home Injury Center, we know how difficult it can be for families of those who have suffered injuries in nursing homes. We work to help our clients address these issues correctly and ensure that a nursing home resident can receive the proper care while addressing the causes of their injuries. We can also make sure the proper steps are taken to prevent these types of injuries in the future while working to hold a nursing home responsible for failing to protect a person’s safety. To learn more about how we can assist with these types of cases, contact us at 309-524-6900 and set up a free consultation.