A nursing home resident who falls and strikes a hard surface may end up with a debilitating injury to the face. These types of injuries are more common - and often more serious - than people might realize.
According to one study, 109,795 people in nursing homes required emergency room care for facial injuries suffered between 2011 and 2015. Researchers writing in JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery concluded that nursing homes should focus on finding ways to prevent facial injuries, which can be particularly serious for older people.
Types of facial injuries to nursing home residents include:
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Nasal bone fractures
- Orbital fractures
How do residents suffer facial injuries at nursing homes?
According to the report, 57 percent of facial injuries occurred after falling and striking hard objects such as floors, walls, countertops, doors and cabinets. In roughly 23 percent of the cases, residents suffered such injuries as a result of getting in or out of bed.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consider falls a preventable "never event," which means the incident should not occur if proper safety procedures are followed.
Sadly, some nursing homes cut corners. They may push their staff to the limits, resulting in high turnover which leaves the facility understaffed. But it is the residents who suffer the consequences. They don't receive the attention they need. A fall that results in a serious injury to the face can happen because of staffing problems. For example, a senior living at the facility may trip and fall on a surface that is slippery or cluttered because there were not enough staff to keep the premises clean and orderly.
How an attorney can help
An experienced nursing home neglect attorney knows that older people who suffer traumatic injuries tend to require longer hospital stays and are at an increased risk of suffering complications. However, the nursing home and its insurance company may downplay the serious nature of the injury. They may deny any responsibility to avoid paying compensation.
We know how to investigate these facilities to shine a light on the truth. If your loved one suffered a facial injury in a nursing home because of neglect, speak to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Birmingham, Alabama. We fight aggressively on behalf of our clients. Contact Shuttlesworth Law Firm today to learn more about how we can help.
