Dropped Residents in Denver Nursing Homes
When you place your loved one in a nursing home, you trust that they will receive proper, competent care. You should expect that your loved one will be safe and not fall victim to unnecessary harm. Unfortunately, nursing homes sometimes fail to treat their residents with the care they deserve. Assisted or long-term care facilities do not always adequately train their staff, and negligent employees sometimes fail to take proper precautions when caring for elderly residents.
If you suspect that your family member sustained harm at the hands of a negligent nursing home employee, you should reach out to our team of dedicated and compassionate attorneys. Our lawyers know how to investigate claims of dropped residents in Denver nursing homes and could help hold the people responsible for dropping your loved one accountable for their wrongful actions.
Circumstances Leading to Residents Being Dropped
Staff members at residential facilities may be more prone to dropping a resident when moving them from a wheelchair to the bed, toilet, or bath. Falls also happen when staff misuse lift transfer equipment. Poor employee training, inadequate supervision, and insufficient staffing often lead to nursing home residents being dropped and harmed as a result.
Signs that a Nursing Home Resident Has Been Dropped
Nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to injuries, as some have physical disabilities, while others have dementia. These conditions, combined with the frailty that comes with age, make some residents more vulnerable to serious injuries when accidents occur.
Some residents do not report incidents of nursing home negligence or abuse for fear of retaliation from the offending staff member, or they may be embarrassed. If family members suspect that their relative was dropped by a staff member, they need to look for the following signs:
- Unexplained injuries (i.e., broken bones, head injuries, bruises, cuts, or lacerations)
- Emotional or behavioral changes (i.e., sudden crying or acting fearful, agitated, withdrawn, sad, or angry)
- Untimely death
Our dedicated attorneys could investigate a claim of suspected nursing home neglect by interviewing staff members, other residents, and visitors to see if they noticed a staff member drop a particular patient.
Time Limits on Filing a Claim
If a family member fears that a nursing home staff member has dropped their loved one, it is critical to speak with a qualified Denver attorney as soon as possible. Our team could gather testimony from witnesses before memories begin to fade and other evidence to ensure that relevant information is not misplaced or lost.
Colorado Revised Statutes §13-80-102.5 requires people to file claims against nursing homes and their staff members within two years of the injury. Courts can extend that deadline in certain circumstances, such as if the injury is not immediately apparent or if the family did not become aware of it right away because the injured person lacks the sufficient mental capacity to make them aware. Because of these exceptions, it is best to connect with an attorney sooner rather than later.
Call a Denver Attorney Experienced in Helping Dropped Nursing Homes Residents
Your loved one deserves to be treated with proper care, respect, and dignity. If you suspect that a nursing home staff member negligently caused your family member to fall, you could be eligible to receive monetary compensation. Our legal team is experienced in helping dropped residents of Denver nursing homes seek justice. Let a skilled attorney see how they can help you and your family. Call today.
