When we entrust our loved ones to a nursing home, we expect that they’ll be cared for at a higher level than most families can provide on their own. Nursing home residents often depend on staff and administration for all their basic needs, ranging from getting out of bed to administering meals and medications.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect is common throughout Ohio. Because seniors are more physically vulnerable than younger people, their injuries are often more severe. This includes bed rail injuries. Read on for an overview of bed rail injuries and what to do if you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse.
What are bed rail injuries?
Nursing home beds are usually equipped with bed rails, which prevent residents from falling out of bed. However, when a patient falls over the rail or is trapped within them, it can result in serious injury or death. These accidents are more likely to occur when understaffed or otherwise neglectful nursing homes fail to properly supervise patients. They can also occur when staff fails to respond to a patient’s call for help, leaving the patient to address their needs—such as bathroom visits—by themselves.
Is the nursing home responsible for bed rail injuries?
Nursing homes and their staff have a duty to provide appropriate care and avoid causing harm to their patients. When they fail in that duty and a resident is harmed as a result, they could be held liable for nursing home abuse and/or neglect.
These cases are typically litigated under a theory of negligence. Plaintiffs must prove that the nursing home had a duty to the patient, they failed to provide the accepted standard of care and as a result, the resident suffered actual injury. Cases typically hinge on whether the nursing home met the standard of care or if the injury was preventable.
What to do if a loved one suffers nursing home bed rail injuries
If your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, make sure they receive appropriate medical care immediately, as well as any follow-up appointments. Document their injuries, medications, healing process and the accident scene with photographs, written recollections and any other information you can gather. Next, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny as soon as possible. Our team can evaluate your claim and let you know which legal options are available.
Discuss your claim with an Ohio nursing home abuse lawyer right away
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your nursing home abuse claim. When you or a loved one are the victim of neglect or abuse, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
