California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
As we age, and especially at age 65 and older, the risk of sustaining certain types of injuries grows. Among older adults, fall-related injuries such as bone fractures (and hip fractures in particular), as well as traumatic brain injuries and other forms of head trauma, are more likely to occur. Choking can also become a bigger hazard. But are any of these injuries actually a “normal” part of aging? In short, the answer is no, and nursing homes can be liable when any injuries occur among elderly residents.
What Types of Injuries Become More Common as Adults Age?
Certain types of injuries become more likely and can result in more severe injuries as adults age, particularly once they reach the age of 65 or older. Choking risks increase as saliva production decreases, and as mobility issues arise, falls become more likely.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury and death among older adults. These are more likely to occur due to mobility issues, as well as the use of medications that can impact balance. When falls do happen, they are more likely to lead to serious injuries in older adults, such as hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In addition, TBIs are more likely to occur from accidents that might otherwise be relatively minor for a younger adult, such as being involved in a motor vehicle collision or a slip and fall accident.
Are Any Injuries “Normal” in Nursing Homes?
You may be wondering: if certain injuries are more likely as we age, is it simply normal or expected that elderly residents of nursing homes may suffer some injuries without anyone being legally responsible? In short, nursing homes owe a duty of care to their residents, and they must provide residents with the specific level or degree of care that each requires. This may mean providing round-the-clock care for serious medical conditions or ensuring that certain residents always receive assistance and monitoring during activities such as walking, using the restroom, or eating.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, certain injuries, such as falls, fractured hips, and traumatic brain injuries, may occur more often in older age, but this does not mean that there is anything normal or expected about them. Rather, these injuries are preventable and avoidable with proper care, and a nursing home can be held accountable when they happen.
Contact Our San Francisco Nursing Home Negligence and Neglect Lawyers Today for Assistance with Your Claim
Nobody wants to consider the possibility that an elderly parent or another elderly loved one will sustain serious injuries while residing in a Bay Area nursing home where they require a high level of care. Yet unfortunately, injuries happen much too often in San Francisco nursing homes, and most of these injuries result from negligence or neglect. At the same time, injuries can also result from intentional acts of abuse. Whether your elderly loved one suffered harm as a result of passive neglect or an intentional act of wrongdoing, the nursing home may be liable. An experienced San Francisco nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer at our firm can discuss the details of the case with you today and options for both seeking compensation and holding the facility accountable. Contact the California Nursing Home Law Group today for more information about the services we provide to elderly adults and their families in Northern California.
See Related Blog Posts:
Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Homes: A Preventable and Serious Form of Neglect
How Arm Movements Can Be Tied to Fall Risks in Berkeley Nursing Homes
