DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers
  • Home
    • DeVaughn James – East Wichita
    • DeVaughn James – West Wichita
    • DeVaughn James – Topeka
  • Practice Areas
    • Car Accidents
    • Trucking Accident
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Slip and Fall Injuries
    • Commercial Vehicle Accident
    • Brain Injuries
    • Dog Bite
    • Drunk Driving
    • Product Injuries
    • Nursing Home Injuries
    • Roundup Cancer Lawsuit
    • Workers Compensation
    • Wrongful Death
    • Bad Drugs & Harmful Products
    • Prescription Drug Injuries
  • About Our Firm
    • Locations
      • DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers – East Wichita
      • DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers – West Wichita
      • DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers – Topeka
    • DJ Giveaways
      • $2500 Charity Giveaway
      • Think Before U Drink
      • DJ Birthday Bash
    • Community Service
      • DJ WINS for Kansas
      • Helping Hand Grants
      • Pay it Forward
      • Veteran Salute – Topeka
      • Veteran Salute – Wichita
      • In The Community
    • Join Our Team
    • DeVaughn James Newsletter
    • FAQ’s
    • What Our Clients Say
    • Our Results
    • Tour Our Offices Online
  • Attorneys
    • Dustin L. DeVaughn
    • Richard W. James
    • Cody G. Claassen
    • Shawn P. Aldrich
    • Joseph Behzadi
    • Jessica A. Brunken
    • Joseph Bryden
    • Nick French
    • Andrew T. Geren
    • Garrett Heath
    • Tymber W. Long
    • Tim Love
    • Brendan P. Lykins
    • Andy Massey
    • Claire Melero
    • Scott Nading
    • Heather A. Nizzio
    • Chris Omlid
    • Mackenzie Orchard
    • Dakota Persinger
    • Arthur E. Rhodes
    • Lance Smith
    • Corey Sucher
    • Patrick Turner
    • Luke J. Williams
    • Jeff Wilson
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • East Wichita Office
    • West Wichita Office
    • Topeka Office
    • Attorney Referral
316-888-8888
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Uncategorized
  • Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

by admin / Sunday, May 13, 2012 / Published in Uncategorized

Unfortunately, there are circumstances in which residents of nursing homes experience an elevated risk of a number of ailments. These issues can occur because of a lack of appropriate care, neglect, or they can simply result from the declining physical state that accompanies old age and created a need for long-term care in the first place. What follows is a listing of the most common ailments and nursing home neglect issues associated with nursing home care.

Falls

The most frequent and potentially severe cause of injury in the elderly is a fall that results in a bone fracture. It is interesting to note that while many hip injuries occur from falls, in the female population it is far more likely that the hip actually breaks first, resulting in a fall. This can be the result of osteoporosis or malnutrition. Making sure that the elderly resident is observed regularly will prevent the fall from turning into something more serious. In a facility without proper observation, it is possible that a resident could lie on the floor for hours, exacerbating any additional trauma that he or she may have experienced due to the fall.

Bed-Related Strangulation and Suffocation

As older people find themselves in bed for longer periods of time, the chances of an injury increase. Compounded by other issues such as malnutrition and dementia, the possibility that a resident will become trapped between hospital bed rails is increased. According to the federal government, 20 to 30 deaths occur in nursing homes each year because of strangulation or suffocation associated with bed rails or falling between a poorly sized mattress and the bed frame.

Bedsores

In addition to the mechanical injuries associated with the bed and frame, a patient who spends extended periods of time in bed may also be subject to bedsores. Also known as pressure ulcers, stages of bedsores can range in severity from very mild to lethal. In its most mild form, a bedsore is a red irritation that is quickly relieved. In its most severe form, it can result in a wound that penetrates the skin and muscle and can, in extreme instances, introduce infection into the bone. This latter scenario is attributable to a lack of appropriate care and sure indicator of neglect. Bedsores have been the source of many fines and citations by the federal and state regulatory agencies (due to individuals who filed a complaint). A bedsore results from pressure that is unrelieved and persists for hours and even days, which means that appropriate attention is not being given to the resident.

Dehydration

A result of poor care or of dementia that prevents the individual from responding to normal bodily needs, dehydration can be lethal. It can be avoided by maintaining a rigid schedule and assuring that staff regularly addresses the dietary and hydration needs of the resident.

Malnutrition

In a nursing home facility without appropriate, individualized nutritional plans for its residents, malnutrition is a real danger. Improper nutrition can result in the kind of weakness or fragility of bones that results in falls and fractures, as well as creating a compromised immune system that might not be able to cope with the infection caused by bedsores or other trauma. Every patient should be evaluated regularly to make sure that all of his or her nutritional needs are being met.

Remember…
Just because your loved one is showing signs of nursing home neglect, doesn’t mean that he/she is just suffering from neglect. The signs for nursing home abuse are similar to neglect. Often times the line where nursing home neglect meets nursing home abuse is hard to distinguish. It is always best to contact a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer who can discuss your situation with you and your options going forward.

DeVaughn James, LLC has attorneys with significant experience representing families whose loved ones have suffered from abuse or neglect at nursing homes or assisted living facilities throughout the state of Kansas. Call us at 316-977-9999 or 1-877-309-5857. We are available 24/7 to help you!

Tagged under: nursing home negligence or abuse

What you can read next

Personal Injury Attorneys – How to Choose a Good One
Kansas Auto Accidents & Kansas Car Accident Lawyers
Should I talk to the other parties’ insurance company?

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Blog Posts

  • Topeka Motorcycle rider on Kansas roadway.

    Motorcycle Awareness Month

    May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, instituted b...
  • Damaged car in downtown Kansas City street due to an accident.

    Kansas and Missouri Have Very Different Car Accident Laws

    Car accidents can have devastating effects on p...
  • Image of the Missouri state flag and the Kansas state flag

    Car Insurance Requirements Kansas and Missouri

    Car insurance is an essential requirement for d...
  • Passenger in sedan distracting driver

    Can Passengers be Liable for Causing a Car Accident?

    Passengers in a vehicle can be a significant di...
  • Snowy and slushy Kansas parking lot.

    Slip and Fall Accident in Kansas Parking Lot

    Slip and falls are a common occurrence in publi...

Archives

Categories

  • Bicycle Accident
  • Car Accidents
  • Class Action
  • Commercial Vehicle Accidents
  • Community Service
  • Dog Bites
  • Firm News
  • Kansas Auto Insurance
  • Law
  • Missouri Auto Insurance
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Nursing Home Abuse
  • Personal Injury
  • Safety Tips
  • Slip & Fall Accidents
  • Trucking Accidents
  • Uncategorized
  • Veterans
  • Wrongful Death

ABOUT US

DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers is the largest personal injury law firm in Kansas. We have offices in Wichita and Topeka where we focus on personal injury cases, such as car accidents, semi-truck accidents, and wrongful death. Every day we help Kansans, just like you, who have suffered an injury through no fault of their own.

*No Fee Guarantee represents a contingent fee contract, the payment of an attorney fee is contingent on a recovery.

CONTACT US

316-888-8888
316-977-9999
785-888-8888
620-888-8888

*Prior results do not guarantee outcomes in future cases as each case is individually based upon the personal injuries of the clients.

24/7 LIVE CHAT AVAILABLE

24/7 Live Chat Service

*Offices located in Wichita & Topeka, Kansas. Proudly serving all of Kansas! DeVaughn James - East | DeVaughn James - West | DeVaughn James - Topeka

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Attorney Referral
  • DJ Newsletters
  • Join Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

© 2023 DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers. All Rights Reserved.

TOP Cleantalk Pixel