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The negligence of nursing home staff members—the very people who were supposed to keep your loved one safe—was what caused your loved one to suffer a broken bone. Broken bones may be common injuries in people of all ages, but for older people these injuries can be life-changing…or even life-threatening.
The Danger of a Broken Bone
Broken bones can hurt anyone, but the health risks of a broken bone are more significant for the elderly. A fractured or broken bone can:
- Limit mobility. Limited mobility can lead to physical problems such as weakness and balance issues. This can make future fractures more likely and can increase the risk of other medical problems such as bedsores and infections.
- Require surgery. Surgery can be risky for older people who may have medical conditions that make anesthesia dangerous.
- Increase the likelihood of death. Specifically, research has shown that a broken hip can significantly increase a person’s risk of dying within a year. For example, a broken hip doubles the risk of dying within the year for women between the ages of 70 and 79.
For these reasons, it is important to know how to help your loved one if nursing home negligence caused her to suffer a broken or fractured bone.
Three Things You Can Do to Help Your Loved One Recover
As you begin to help your loved one through this difficult time, it is important to:
- Get her medical help. A fracture or broken bone is a medical condition that requires immediate treatment.
- Make sure that she is safe. If you believe that your loved one is in danger in her current living environment then you may need to take action.
- Protect her legal needs. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help you investigate what happened to your loved one and take appropriate legal action to protect her recovery.
For more information about what to do after any type of nursing home injury caused by abuse or negligence, please read our FREE book, Guide for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Victims: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Legal Rights and Get Every Dollar You Deserve, or call us any time at 1-800-800-5678.
