ArticlesNursing home neglect and abuse are growing problems around the country.
When you decide to move your family member to a nursing home facility, you expect the facility will treat them with respect and professionalism; however, that does not always happen.
If you believe your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, it’s crucial to contact an Alabama nursing home abuse lawyer right away.
At Fob James Law Firm, we understand what a traumatic experience this can be for both your loved one and your family.
Contact our office to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about holding the nursing facility responsible.
Types of Nursing Home Injuries
Common nursing home injuries include falls, medication errors, and bedsores.
Falls in Nursing Homes
Falls represent one of the most common injuries in nursing homes. While older people are more prone to falls due to gait issues or muscle weakness, nursing home factors can also play a role.
For example, wet floors in the hallway can be treacherous for an older person with mobility problems.
Lack of lighting can lead to a resident tripping over something on the floor. Incorrect bed height can cause someone to fall when they try to get out of bed in the morning.
Nursing homes should be closely monitoring residents who have a high risk of falling. If the staff is not monitoring high-risk patients because the facility is short-staffed or the employees are being negligent, accidents happen.
These residents may be victims of nursing home neglect.
Bedsores in Bedridden Residents
Many people transferred to a nursing home are there because they are unable to take care of themselves. That includes the ability to get up and out of bed on their own.
Nursing home residents rely on the staff for their care. Nursing home staff should bathe them, clean them up, change their bed linens, etc.
When a bedridden patient is not regularly rotated and moved, this increases the pressure on the skin.
This can cause bedsores, which most commonly occur on the tailbone, hips, buttocks, heels, and ankles.
Medication Errors
Residents of nursing homes are usually on at least one prescription medication, generally more.
When you have a lack of adequate staff or overworked employees, the propensity for medication errors increases.
Some of the most common errors include giving the wrong medication, not giving medicines at all, or overdosing.
Medication errors have serious consequences, even proving fatal for some residents who don’t receive the necessary drugs or receive the wrong dosage.
Contact an Alabama Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing home residents have federal rights under the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.
Some of these rights include the right to freedom from neglect, abuse, or mistreatment and the right to accommodation of medical, physical, psychological, and social needs.
If you suspect your family member is in severe and immediate danger, you should contact 911.
Holding the facility accountable for nursing home abuse and neglect is important. It can also prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy you have.
At Fob James Law Firm, we take fewer personal injury cases than other similar firms. We believe in devoting the best resources available to each client.
We have years of experience with nursing home abuse and neglect cases and are here to help you and your loved ones.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, contact our office today.
Let us help you protect your family member’s rights and ensure the nursing home does not harm anyone else’s loved ones.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.