In March 2017, the journal JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery published a study analyzing the incidence of traumatic facial injuries in U.S. nursing home residents. According to the study results, between January 2011 and December 2015 a total of 109,795 nursing home residents needed emergency care for facial trauma. Most traumatic facial injuries are suffered in fall accidents.
Traumatic Facial Injury Statistics
The study reported that female residents are victims of traumatic fall injuries more than their male counterparts, accounting for about 65.1 percent of injuries requiring emergency treatment. The statistics below provide additional insight into the severity and frequency of facial trauma injuries among nursing home residents.
- The median age for those who require emergency treatment is 84.1.
- The most common facial injuries requiring emergency treatment are lacerations (44.3 percent), hematoma, avulsions, and contusions (41.8 percent), and fractures (12.7 percent).
- The most common locations of traumatic facial injuries are nasal and orbital (eye).
- Most nursing home facial injuries are caused by structural housing and fixed items (57 percent), or occur during the transfer of residents to and from bed (22.6 percent).
Although nursing home patients can fall for reasons that have nothing to do with improper care or negligence, many falls could have been easily prevented by taking minor safety precautions. A 2012 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed that about 59 percent of resident injuries that occur in nursing homes are preventable. A MA nursing home negligence attorney can help you determine how to recover damages if your loved one has been injured due to negligence
Nursing Home Negligence
When we make the difficult decision to move our loved one into a nursing home, we do so with the hope that staff will provide excellent care and treat our loved one with kindness and compassion. Unfortunately, nursing home negligence – and even abuse – occurs with shocking frequency. The statistics below shed some light on the severity and frequency of this problem. A Boston injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse or neglect.
- Approximately 1.4 million people currently live in nursing homes in the U.S.
- In 2003, more than 20,000 official complaints were received by authorities.
- Only one out of every 14 cases of nursing home abuse is properly reported to authorities.
- More than 90 percent of nursing home facilities fail to hire adequate staff to properly care for residents.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
If you notice any of the signs below when visiting your loved one, they could indicate that your loved one is suffering from neglect.
- Dehydration
- Appearing agitated, withdrawn, or non-communicative
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Malnutrition
- Infections
- Bed sores
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Unexplained wounds, bruises, and cuts
- Sudden and unusual behavior changes
- Reluctance to speak in front of staff members
- Isolation
Altman & Altman, LLP – Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Serving All of MA
If your loved one has been harmed due to nursing home abuse or negligence, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. Our experienced, compassionate lawyers understand the complex, and highly-emotional aspect of these cases. We will do everything possible to make the process quick and painless. It is our goal to get you the compensation you deserve so that you and your loved one can get on with your lives. We will analyze the details of your case to determine the best possible strategy for moving forward, and our attorneys will remain by your side throughout the entire process. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.