Spinal Injuries
Meagan Cline. Author
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities suffer preventable spinal injuries for a variety of reasons. Most often, spinal injuries occur due to a fall, during transfers or because caregivers do not provide adequate assistance.
If your loved one sustained a spinal injury in a nursing home, you may be able to pursue compensation on their behalf. A nursing home abuse lawyer can review your case and determine your options for holding the facility or other liable parties accountable.
Common Causes of Nursing Home Spinal Injuries
Common causes of spinal injuries in nursing homes include:
- The patient is dropped by caregivers while transferring from a bed to a chair
- Slipping on slick floors, spills and other hazards
- Tripping over hazards
- Poor vision causing additional trip or slip hazards
- Losing balance in the shower or tub
- Incidents involving walkers or wheelchairs
- Medication side effects that cause dizziness
In some cases, it is not possible to prevent a fall. However, well-trained staff who respond quickly and ensure the resident gets prompt medical care can prevent further damage. Nursing home staff should have a standard protocol for stabilizing injuries and getting emergency help when an injury occurs.
Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should also have protocols for fall and injury prevention, as well as training staff in safe lifting or moving methods.
Risk Factors in Nursing Homes
By the very nature of requiring around-the-clock care for medical conditions or limited mobility, nursing home residents are especially vulnerable. They are at an increased risk of fall injuries, abuse and neglect.
Many residents have additional risk factors for spinal injuries which include:
- A history of fractures of the back, hip or pelvis
- Hip replacement
- Not completing physical therapy for a previous injury
- Weakness related to a recent injury
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
- Tall stature or long torso
- Bed-bound or with very limited mobility
Nursing home staff should be aware of the risk factors for your loved one. They should have protocols in place to counter many of these risks. Failure to do so could be a sign that your loved one is not getting the quality of care that he or she is entitled to.
Take Action to Get Justice for Your Loved One Today
If your loved one has suffered a preventable spinal injury in a nursing home, you might have grounds to take legal action on their behalf. The best way to find out is to work with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. At Fight Nursing Home Abuse, our nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers will review your case for free and help you determine your options to seek justice for your loved one.
We go to work immediately to protect your loved one’s rights and restore their quality of life. When you work with Fight Nursing Home Abuse, you can expect our team to:
- Interview witnesses and gather evidence to support your claim
- Identify the liable parties and build a case against them
- Enlist the help of expert witnesses when necessary
- Prepare an argument for negotiations or trial
- Seek justice by holding your family member’s abuser liable in civil court
- Attempt to negotiate an out-of-court settlement or litigate the case if necessary
Recoverable Damages for Spinal Injuries
The cost of a spinal injury in a nursing home can vary widely based on many factors. For example, the nature and extent of the injury significantly impacts the cost of treatment. Someone who suffers an incomplete spinal cord injury and requires rehabilitation and ongoing care will have more costs than someone with limited mobility who fractures a vertebra without spinal cord involvement.
When your lawyer calculates an approximate value for your case, they will collect evidence of your loved one’s expenses and losses related to their injuries. These can differ from case to case, but often include:
- Necessary medical care related to the accident
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Ongoing care costs
- Psychological therapy and treatment, if necessary
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Recovering Damages Through a Wrongful Death Action
If your loved one died following a spinal injury in a nursing home, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death action to pursue damages. These damages may include funeral and burial costs and other expenses and losses your family suffered. Call 1-866-548-9636 today to discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options with a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Talk to a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
If your loved one is battling spinal injuries and you wonder if nursing home abuse or neglect is a factor, a nursing home abuse lawyer can help you get answers and take action. Having a nursing home abuse lawyer on your side ensures you get the support and understanding that you need while pursuing justice.
Find out your options by calling Fight Nursing Home Abuse to schedule a free consultation. Get started by calling 1-866-548-9636. You can also get more information by completing the form on the side of every page of our website.
Meagan Cline is a professional legal researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to FNHA and our websites, including Birth Injury Guide and MedMalFirm.com.