Many nursing home residents need temporary or permanent use of a wheelchair. Using a wheelchair can help reduce the risk of falling and provide mobility. But when a nursing home is understaffed, staff members might be careless or neglect residents who need wheelchair assistance. This neglect and lack of supervision can cause serious injury. Understandably, you want justice if your family member suffered a wheelchair-related injury because of something the nursing home did. But can nursing homes be liable for a wheelchair injury?
Family members want to know what happens after a wheelchair injury. Can the nursing home be liable for negligence? If a nursing home employee’s actions or inaction leads to an injury, victims could have the right to pursue compensation. Contact the skilled team at Senior Justice Law Firm to learn more about what to do next.
Causes of Wheelchair Injuries
Understaffing means employees are overworked and exhausted. A lapse in care means the employee might carelessly transfer a resident from their wheelchair to the bed, leading to a fall. Or, an employee might leave the resident in a wheelchair for too long. The person might try to get in or out of the chair unassisted, resulting in a fall. Sitting too long in a wheelchair can also lead to pressure ulcers, commonly called bedsores.
While most injuries occur when transferring in or out of a wheelchair, an injury may occur while in the wheelchair. Perhaps the employee is pushing the wheelchair when it hits something or gets stuck.
Residents with electric scooters or power wheelchairs may have more independence, but there are still associated risks. They might run into stationary objects or even other people. If staff members don’t monitor battery levels on the power chair, a resident could wind up stuck somewhere without assistance.
Who Is Liable for a Wheelchair Injury? Can the Nursing Home Be Liable for Medical Bills?
A nursing home can be liable for medical bills and other damages if you have evidence to show a staff member acted negligently. Their failure to take proper steps and keep residents safe can breach their duty of care. Issues like understaffing, lack of training, and failure to monitor residents can lead to injuries. Nursing homes need to ensure they have adequate and well-trained staff. Otherwise, nursing homes open themselves to legal liability for various issues, including blame for wheelchair injuries.
Tips for Preventing Wheelchair Injuries
Nursing homes need to take multiple precautions to keep residents safe. Some things they can do include:
- Ensure there is always adequate staff so residents aren’t at an increased risk for injuries.
- Provide access to physical therapy and exercise so residents can work on strength training and regain mobility where applicable.
- Install alarms on wheelchairs that alert staff members when a resident tries to get up unattended.
- Always strap residents into their wheelchairs.
- Lock wheels when leaving someone sitting in one place.
- Keep wheelchairs away from stairwells and other hazards.
If you suspect a nursing home acted negligently, please contact a skilled nursing home lawyer.
Contact Senior Justice Law Firm
So, can nursing homes be liable for a wheelchair injury? Rather than searching online for the answer, contact Senior Justice Law Firm to schedule an initial consultation. Do not let the nursing home get away with negligent behavior. If you or a loved one sustained injuries from a wheelchair in a nursing home, it’s essential to take immediate action. We have years of experience assisting injured victims in getting the compensation they deserve from negligent nursing homes. Speak with our experienced nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers to learn more about how we can assist you.
