A spinal cord injury can transform a fairly mobile nursing home resident into a completely bedridden one, or worse. Severe spinal cord injury may force a resident onto life support. It may even lead to death.
A leading cause of spinal cord injury among the elderly is nursing home falls. Falls in nursing homes are often due to negligence. Nursing home care workers should be aware of the ability and limits of mobility of residents. Workers are responsible for monitoring the movements of residents to ensure they do not fall. The nursing home should also be equipped with handrails to allow residents to hold on and avoid falling. Finally, nursing home staff should respond in a timely fashion to requests by residents so that residents don't decide they need to try to get up when they are unable.
Nursing home negligence can be fostered by poor staffing practices. Having too few employees or hiring unqualified employees can increase the risk of falls and injury among residents.
If your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury or another type of injury due to the negligence of a nursing home, you may be able to receive compensation. For a free consultation about your legal rights and options, please contact Cullan & Cullan in Phoenix, Arizona.
