What Nursing Home Abuse Injuries are Most Common?

When staff members in a nursing home are abusive or neglectful, it is residents who suffer the greatest harm. These injuries are not only entirely preventable, but they also result in long-term harm to individuals in society’s most vulnerable sector. Understanding what injuries to look for can help family members identify when abuse or neglect are happening so they can take the necessary steps to stop it. Below, one of our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers explains in greater detail.

What Physical Injuries are Caused by Abuse?

The most visible signs of abuse and neglect are often the physical injuries that result. Some of the most common of these include:

• Broken bones, often from rough handling or falls
• Bedsores caused by a failure to reposition residents who have been in a bed or wheelchair for a prolonged period of time
• Cuts, welts, burns, or head injuries
• Unexplained bruises
• Injuries from the improper use of restraints, such as reduced mobility or nerve damage

What Injuries are Caused by Neglect?

Nursing home abuse injuries are most commonly caused by neglect and not intentional abuse. These occur due to a lack of supervision, poor training, and understaffing. The most common of these injuries are as follows:

• Worsened health conditions from medication errors such as missed medications
• Poor hygiene
• Untreated infections, such as sepsis
• Rapid and unexplained weight loss
• Dehydration and malnutrition

What Psychological and Emotional Injuries are Caused by Abuse?

Although neglect is the most common cause of harm in nursing homes, emotional abuse is the most common type of intentional harm. The harm caused by emotional abuse is not visible, which makes it harder to detect even though it is just as damaging. The most common psychological and emotional injuries endured are as follows:

• Regression or loss of trust
• Personality changes or agitation
• Unexplained crying or depression
• Withdrawal from social activities and interaction
• Sudden anxiety or fear around certain staff members

What Injuries are Caused by Sexual Abuse?

Although no one wants to think about it, sexual abuse is fairly common in nursing home facilities. This type of abuse leaves residents with lasting emotional and physical trauma but even still, it often goes unreported. These injuries often include:

• Excessive distress during medical care, bathing, or other types of personal care
• Stained or torn clothing
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Unexplained bleeding or genital injuries
• Torn or stained bedding

Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Tampa Can Help After Injuries 

Any type of abuse or neglect can result in very serious injuries. Nursing home facilities and the staff members within them can be held accountable when their wrongdoing or neglectful actions caused these injuries. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse lawyers can guide you through the process, hold the liable parties accountable, and help you and your family obtain the full and fair compensation they deserve. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help with your case.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html