All residents of nursing homes deserve to live their lives with security and dignity. In fact, state law protects this expectation in a Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights. These laws protect residents against the potential harm resulting from abuse while living in these facilities.
Sadly, while these laws prohibit neglect, they cannot totally prevent it. One common example is fall injuries that result from dropped patients in Ohio nursing homes. The use of improper carrying techniques by staff, or simple carelessness can lead to these incidents that result in severe, life-threatening injuries that devastate a resident’s overall quality of life. A knowledgeable Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer could help dropped patients in Ohio nursing homes pursue legal action for their harm. Contact Tittle & Perlmuter today to get started.
Nursing Home Residents Have a Right to Be Safe
Seniors who move into nursing homes are among the most vulnerable members of society. They may require constant care, supervision, and assistance with everyday tasks. This means that their well-being is in the hands of staff members who should have the proper training and motivation to keep them safe.
Unfortunately, nursing homes have a reputation as businesses that do not take the welfare of their residents seriously. To counter this notion, the State passed a Nursing Home Residents’ Bill of Rights that outlines the rules and regulations that care facilities must follow. Under Ohio Revised Statute § 3721.13, these laws create an absolute duty on the part of nursing homes to protect residents’ safety, dignity, and privacy.
Failure on behalf of nursing homes to provide this protection means that the facility could be held liable for resulting damages. Incidents involving dropped patients in Ohio care facilities clearly violate this duty. An attorney could help pursue legal action on behalf of residents who have suffered harm after enduring a drop to the ground.
Causes of Dropped Patients in Ohio Nursing Homes
The causes of patient drops in nursing homes are complex and often involve a combination of factors, including inadequate staffing, improper training of staff, and environmental hazards. Understaffing can lead to situations where residents are not adequately supervised or assisted with transfers and ambulation, increasing the risk of falls. Additionally, poorly trained staff may not be equipped to recognize and manage fall risks or to provide appropriate assistance to residents with mobility challenges.
Environmental hazards, such as uneven flooring, slippery surfaces, and inadequate lighting, can also contribute to patient drops. Nursing homes have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for their residents, including ensuring that flooring is well-maintained, walkways are free of clutter, and lighting is adequate.
Preventing patient drops and minimizing the risk of injuries in nursing homes requires a multi-pronged approach. Adequate staffing levels are essential to ensure that residents receive the necessary supervision and assistance. Staff training should emphasize fall prevention strategies, proper lifting techniques, and the identification of fall risks among residents. Additionally, nursing homes should regularly assess their environment for potential hazards and implement safety measures to mitigate these risks.
Dropped Nursing Home Patients and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Nursing homes are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for elderly individuals who require assistance with daily living activities. However, all too often, these facilities become the scene of preventable accidents, leaving residents with serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
In Ohio, patient drops are a leading cause of injuries in nursing homes, accounting for a significant portion of adverse events reported to the state’s Department of Health. These incidents can have devastating consequences, particularly for older adults who are more susceptible to severe complications from falls.
TBIs, in particular, can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. The effects of a TBI can range from mild cognitive impairments to severe disabilities, requiring extensive rehabilitation and ongoing care. For elderly nursing home residents, a TBI can further complicate their existing health conditions and significantly reduce their independence.
Seeking Fair Compensation on Behalf of Nursing Home Residents
Enduring a drop of even a few feet can have devastating consequences for the elderly. Even otherwise healthy individuals may suffer severe injuries to his or her bones, ligaments, and central nervous system. Residents in nursing homes are even more vulnerable to severe harm, as they are often already in poor or declining health.
Senior citizens have bones that are more brittle than those of younger adults. This means that a drop is more likely to result in a fracture or severe damage. Even if a resident avoids this result, the fall could still cause severe bruising that releases blood clots within vital internal organs. A fall on the head could also bring concussions or other serious forms of traumatic brain injuries. In short, a fall should be a reason for staff to seek immediate medical intervention.
These falls may also justify a demand for compensation. A nursing home that allows a drop to occur could be held legally responsible for all resulting damage. This includes paying medical bills for related treatment and compensating a resident for their reductions in quality of life.
It is essential to evaluate the effect of a drop on a resident as quickly as possible. Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 gives people as short a time as two years after an injury to demand compensation. The families of dropped residents in nursing homes should speak with an Ohio attorney as soon as possible to determine if compensation is possible.
Discuss Dropped Patients in Ohio Nursing Homes with an Attorney
Dropping patients is one of the most common errors that staff in nursing homes make. The use of improper carrying techniques can lead to incidents that result in life-altering injuries. These events may cause not only physical injuries, but also emotional damage as well. As a result, the injured party has the right to demand payment for his or her losses. If you have further questions or would like to learn more about nursing home safety, feel free to download our Ohio Nursing Home Guide for free.
A lawyer could help you or a loved one pursue legal action against those responsible. They could help determine the reason for a drop, tie poor training or supervision on the part of ownership to the event, and demand that negligent staffers and nursing homes provide fair compensation. Contact our firm today to discuss dropped patients in Ohio nursing homes with an attorney.
