When it comes to the well-being of your loved ones, all you want is the best possible care and for them to be safe. That’s why choosing the right nursing home to care for your loved one is such an important decision.
Negligence is a common factor in nursing home concussions
However, the reality is that nursing home residents can be vulnerable to nursing home abuse and neglect resulting in a range of serious injuries, including concussions, due to various factors within these facilities.
In many cases, nursing home concussions occur due to negligence. When this happens, negligent facilities need to be held accountable for their actions. Having an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer in your corner can often make all the difference in your case.
How do concussions happen in nursing homes?
In the context of nursing homes, concussions can occur unexpectedly and often go unnoticed until symptoms become apparent. It’s essential to recognize the common causes and mechanisms behind these injuries to better address and prevent them. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common causes of concussions in nursing homes:
- Falls: Falls are one of the most common causes of nursing home concussions. A resident can fall for many reasons, such as medication side effects and lack of supervision due to understaffing. Hazards within the facility, like broken handrails, stairs, water on the floor, and other unmarked hazards, can also cause a resident to slip and fall and injure their head.
- Mishandling residents: Improperly handling residents, like not being careful when moving or transferring them, is another major reason why residents in nursing homes can get concussions.
- Object hitting a resident’s head: Sometimes, things like shelves, light fixtures, or poorly secured items can fall and hit residents’ heads.
Recognizing the signs of concussions in nursing home residents
Concussions, often subtle in presentation, can have severe consequences for seniors. Therefore, being able to recognize the potential warning signs of concussions in nursing home residents is of critical importance:
- Altered mental state: Watch for any sudden changes in your loved one’s cognitive function. Confusion, disorientation, or unresponsiveness may indicate a concussion.
- Physical symptoms: Concussions may manifest with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Keep an eye out for any unexplained complaints of pain or discomfort.
- Balance and coordination issues: Elderly individuals often experience challenges with balance and coordination. However, if these issues suddenly worsen, it could be a sign of a concussion.
- Motor function changes: Observe any irregularities in your loved one’s motor skills. Difficulty walking, slurred speech, or unsteady movements may be indicative of a concussion.
- Emotional distress: Concussions can lead to mood swings, irritability, or emotional distress. If your loved one displays uncharacteristic emotional shifts, it could be a result of head trauma.
- Fatigue: Persistent and excessive tiredness, especially when it’s out of character for your loved one, might suggest an underlying issue such as a concussion.
- Sleep pattern disruption: Pay attention to changes in sleep patterns. Insomnia, excessive sleep, or frequent waking during the night could be related to a concussion.
- Vision problems: Blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, or difficulty focusing are visual symptoms often associated with concussions.
- Seizures: Although less common, seizures can occur following a concussion. If your loved one experiences any unusual muscle spasms or seizures, seek immediate medical attention.
- Worsening symptoms: Sometimes, the effects of a concussion may not be immediately apparent. Keep a close eye on your loved one and seek medical evaluation if any symptoms worsen or persist.
Monitoring your loved one for these warning signs is crucial for their well-being. If you notice any of these indicators, promptly inform the nursing home staff, document your observations, and seek a medical evaluation. Furthermore, consulting with an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can help you navigate the legal aspects and ensure your loved one receives the care and attention they deserve.
How a nursing home neglect lawyer can help
Every nursing home concussion case is different, but some of the ways an attorney can help often include:
- Legal expertise and investigation: Your attorney should possess the resources and knowledge to investigate your case thoroughly to gather evidence in support of your family’s claim. Through their investigation, a lawyer can also help determine who’s liable (legally responsible), such as staff members and the facility itself.
- Building a strong case: With evidence from an investigation, your attorney can present the facts of your case to the at-fault party. Often, the insurance company for the at-fault party will be willing to negotiate in good faith a fair settlement offer (one-time payment) that covers all your expenses. If not, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court. Your lawyer has your family’s best interests at heart, and they can guide you to help you decide which option is best suited for you.
- Advocating for your rights: Your lawyer works with you to build a strong case but also acts as your advocate, fighting and protecting your rights and those of your loved one, ensuring informed decisions are made.
- Seeking compensation: A nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer will pursue the financial compensation you deserve for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other damages (the legal term for financial compensation) resulting from nursing home concussions. This can be through a settlement or a court verdict.
Give your case the attention it deserves with a Chicago nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer
If you suspect your loved one has suffered a concussion due to nursing home negligence, you have the right to pursue legal action against the parties responsible. The dedicated Chicago nursing home negligence attorneys at Ferrell Young, LLC are committed to helping victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Illinois. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to explore your legal options for seeking justice.