Many nursing home residents are unable to move themselves from one location to another. In that case, they typically need the assistance of nursing home staff to move from their beds. Most facilities have rules for transferring patients. Depending on the weight and the mobility level of the patient, there may need to be two or more staff members to move a patient, and a mechanical lift may even be required.
If a patient in a nursing home is dropped, the results can be catastrophic. Nursing home patients are typically frail and already in a weakened position. If a nursing home resident is dropped, the individual can suffer broken bones, damage to internal organs, traumatic brain injuries, or even death. Falls are the leading cause of injury death in individuals 65 years old and older.
If a patient is dropped in a nursing home, the fall often involves a failure to follow protocol for transfers. The nursing homes may be understaffed or poorly train their employees. There may not be sufficient equipment that is needed for safe transfers. In most cases, the root cause of the patient’s fall is the negligence of the nursing home.
If your loved one has been dropped in a nursing home, you should speak with an attorney about your family member’s legal rights. He or she may be entitled to compensation for damages. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles nursing home negligence attorney at 310-385-0567. My team can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.