When placing a loved one in a long-term care hospital, it is vital to understand the potential risks and common injuries that can occur due to negligence and neglect. Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace is dedicated to protecting your loved ones and ensuring they receive the care they deserve. In this article, we will discuss the common causes of long-term care hospital injuries, including inadequate care plans, improper staffing, and abuse.
If you or a loved one was injured in a long-term care hospital, we invite you to call our offices to schedule a free consultation with an experienced long-term care hospital injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Injuries Resulting from Inadequate or Improperly Implemented Care Plans
Injuries and deaths in long-term care hospitals often result from systemic failures in how facilities care for their residents. To ensure that residents receive the appropriate care, long-term care facilities must perform thorough assessments, develop individualized care plans, and continually reassess patients to adapt their care as needed. However, when these steps are not properly executed, individuals may suffer from various injuries, including:
- Choking
- Bed sores/pressure sores
- Falls
- Injuries from wandering from a facility
- Medication errors
- Bed rail suffocation
Negligence Through Hiring, Inadequate Supervision, and Other Matters
Injuries in long-term care hospitals can also result from inadequate staffing or poorly trained staff members. Facilities must have enough properly trained staff to care for residents on a 24/7 basis, ensuring that residents remain safe and receive the appropriate level of care. Failing to meet these standards can result in residents suffering from negligence-related injuries, potentially exposing the facility to significant liability.
What Types of Abuse Do Individuals Often Experience in Long-Term Care Facilities
Abuse of elderly long-term care patients is a horrifying reality that can take various forms, including:
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse (e.g., slapping, punching)
- Sexual abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Neglect
- Improper restraint (e.g., physical or chemical restraint, such as intentional over-sedation)
- Degrading residents by sharing images of them in awkward positions on social media
At Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace, we believe that such actions are inhumane and intolerable. We are committed to seeking full compensation for victims of abuse, neglect, or negligence.
How Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace Can Help
When faced with the devastating consequences of negligence, neglect, or abuse, it is crucial to have experienced and compassionate legal representation. As long-term care hospital injury lawyers, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of your loved ones and holding negligent facilities accountable.
When you hire Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace, we can:
- Thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury or abuse;
- Work with medical experts to assess the extent of the injuries and the impact on your loved one’s health and quality of life;
- Determine the liability of the healthcare facility, its staff, and any other responsible parties;
- Pursue maximum compensation for your loved one’s pain, suffering, medical expenses, and other damages; and
- Advocate for punitive damages in cases of egregious abuse or negligence.
Long-term care hospital abuse and neglect are heartbreaking realities that impact countless families each year. If your loved one has suffered injuries or abuse in a long-term care facility, trust the dedicated and experienced attorneys at Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace to help you seek justice and ensure that your loved one receives the care they deserve.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help protect you and your loved ones. Together, we can hold negligent facilities accountable and work towards a safer future for all long-term care hospital patients.