Nursing Home Injuries: A Story of Broken Trust
When you or a loved one have made the difficult decision to use the services of a nursing home, your next decision is what specific facility you will use. While you can visit these homes and do your diligence, ultimately you need to trust that the decision you make is a safe one. You can only move forward if believe you are placing them in the hands of professionals who will provide them with care and attention. The very thought that this trust could be betrayed is not just unsettling—it's heartbreaking. Yet, for many families, the stark reality of nursing home injuries brings about profound feelings of betrayal and helplessness.
When a loved one is injuried in a nursing home, the physical and emotional damage can be immense. You may experience guilt and regret. You will likely start questioning if there was anything you should have done differently. More than anything, you may be feeling a strong sense of betrayal and broken trust. When the very people who were supposed to care for your loved one are now causing them harm, you may be wondering who you can trust.
To move forward after such a betrayal requires acknowledging the pain first. Often the first step in seeking help is admitting we are hurt. It is important to have your loved one examined by a medical professional not associated with the facility that injured them to get the true extent of damage. On a personal level, you will need to find confidence to trust your decisions again.
In these difficult times, it's crucial to lean on support networks—friends, family, medical professionals—and to connect with individuals who understand the complexities of nursing home injuries. While your trust may have been broken, you can find new sources of strength and support. This journey is about more than a legal outcome It's about healing, rebuilding trust, and ultimately helping your loved one into a better position.
Common Types of Nursing Home Injuries
Nursing home residents can be susceptible to a variety of injuries:
- Falls: One of the most common injuries. Staff will often "re-tell" the story of a fall as a completely unforeseeable accident or blame the victim. The true story could be that the fall was the result of inadequate supervision, poorly maintained facilities, or untrained staff. It's important not to ignore this possibility, even if it uncomfortable to think that there may have been negligent behavior that led to the injury. If it is ignored, it may happen again. Falls are dangerous - they can cause fractures, head injuries, and damage to internal organs.
- Bedsores: Painful and preventable, bedsores occur when caregivers fail to reposition residents regularly, causing prolonged pressure on the skin.
- Medication Errors: Errors in dosage or medication administration can result in serious health complications or adverse reactions that are preventable with proper care.
- Infections: Poor hygiene, dirty conditions, and skipping basic practices like hand-washing can lead to infections.
- Emotional Abuse: While not always visible, emotional abuse through verbal insults, intimidation, or neglect can have severe impacts on a resident’s mental health.
- Physical Abuse: It is hard to believe that someone entrusted with the care of a vulnerable person would resort to violence against them. Unfortunately this happens much more than it is reported. Often times the victim stays silent or does not understand what is happening to them. Noticing any unexplained bruises, fear behaviors, or mood shifts in your loved ones might help you uncover physical abuse. Of course, it also helps ask direct questions and build an atmosphere of openness and options.
Who is responsible for a nursing home injury?
When an injury occurs in a nursing home, there are several parties may share responsibility. It is important when bringing a lawsuit to name all responsible parties, or else you will not be able to fully recover what is needed:
- The Facility Management: Inadequate policies or negligent oversight can result in unsafe conditions may make management liable for injuries sustained by residents. If you notice one thing that's off, chances are it is part of a pattern. Disorganized and sloppy management is usually difficult to conceal, because it's perpetrators are often incapable of noticing where they are lacking.
- Medical Providers: Healthcare professionals might be responsible if their errors result in harm to the residents.
- In-home Providers: Medical and support professionals that take care of your loved one in their home can be liable for negligent or abusive behavior.
The Need for Comprehensive Investigation
To uncover how and why an injury occurred—and who holds responsibility—a thorough investigation is essential. Sun Law AZ has the experience to collect vital evidence such as medical records, surveillance recordings, facility records, and witness statements. We may also bring in medical or industry experts to testify regarding the cause and extent of injuries and standards of care provided by the facility. Often times, there are preventative measures that the facility simply failed to take. This might be not as obvious because it is an omission and not a directly observable act. That is why an expert with deep familiarity in to the standards of care in the industry may be required.
A comprehensive investigation helps to build a strong case by identifying each party’s role in the injury. It also ensures that all relevant aspects of the situation are fully explored so that justice is appropriately served. The complexity of these cases requires meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of elder care regulations.
Let Us Help You
Don’t let negligence in a nursing home go unaddressed. If you suspect your loved one has been injured due to neglect or abuse, reach out to Todd Lenczycki at Sun Law AZ for compassionate yet strategic legal assistance. Contact us at (480) 264-0045 or via email at contact@sunlawaz.com.