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It’s never easy to make the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. When they are injured, many people immediately blame themselves. The unfortunate reality, however, is that many nursing home accidents are preventable and are the result of the nursing home’s negligence. If your senior has been injured in an accident at their home, a Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer can review your case and determine whether the nursing home is at fault.
Understanding Negligence in the Context of Nursing Homes
Negligence is commonly defined as the failure to take due care – due care being what a reasonably prudent person would do in the same or similar circumstances. Because the elderly have greater needs than people in other facilities, nursing homes arguably are held to a higher standard when it comes to ensuring the safety of their residents. That said, it can be difficult to prove negligence in any specific situation, and it is unlikely that the nursing home will admit that it failed to keep your senior safe. If you suspect that your senior has suffered as a result of negligence, a Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer can provide you with the guidance you need.
Negligent Maintenance
One of the ways that many nursing homes are negligent is when they fail to perform necessary maintenance. Because many seniors have mobility issues, the following issues can cause serious injury:
- Broken flooring or torn or wrinkled carpeting
- Water leaks that lead to slippery floors
- Inadequate lighting
- Loose or missing handrails
In addition to making necessary repairs, nursing homes are also obligated to routinely inspect the facilities for potential slip and fall hazards. If the hazard cannot be repaired immediately, they must then post a warning (such as a “wet floor” sign) or close off the area. If the nursing home knew or should have known about the hazard and fails to take action, a Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer can hold them liable for any injuries that occurred.
Inadequate Staffing
Many nursing homes fail to keep their facilities fully staffed with properly trained personnel, especially at night time, sometimes in violation of state or county law. This is problematic because many seniors need help moving around the facility or their room or going to the bathroom. Insufficient staff generally results in more falls and injuries. To make matters even worse, the seniors can’t get the help they need when they suffer a medical event. A Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer can help if your senior suffered an injury due to inadequate staffing.
Negligent Supervision or Management
Neglect and abuse are shockingly common in nursing homes and are usually the result of inadequate supervision or poor management. Abusers and neglectful providers usually flourish in nursing homes with little supervision or that are poorly managed, as it allows their behavior to go unnoticed for long periods of time. An experienced Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer will be able to identify if negligent supervision or management is at the root of your senior’s injury.
Talk to a Waldorf Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer Today
Your senior deserves the best care possible. Waldorf nursing home negligence lawyer Thomas E. Pyles knows how to hold nursing homes accountable when the elderly suffer as a result of negligence. Contact us today at 301-705-5006 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.