DC Nursing Home Bed Rail Entrapment Lawyer

Many residents in Washington DC’s nursing homes suffer from serious physical ailments. These ailments could result in a resident being unable to get out of bed on their own. Less serious conditions could allow a resident to get out of bed but not without trouble.

Because some residents should not be allowed out of bed without supervision, the rails on beds can often restrict unwanted movement. Unfortunately, many residents may encounter emergencies that require them to get out of bed quickly. Other situations can cause a resident to get out of bed without staff help. As such, a rail may cause an injury when a resident struggles to move on their own.

A DC nursing home bed rail entrapment lawyer could help residents who are injured by bed rails. A nursing home may carry civil liability if improper supervision or the improper confinement of residents causes an injury.

An experienced nursing home abuse attorney could work with patients to gather vital evidence and to place that evidence within the framework of established Washington DC law.

Legal Obligations of Nursing Homes to Protect their Residents

Nursing homes have a legal duty to protect their residents from foreseeable accidental harm. The dangers of bed rail entrapment are well documented. As such, nursing homes must take appropriate steps to protect their residents.

A failure to provide this protection may rise to the level of negligence. A claim alleging negligence states that a defendant nursing home is civilly liable for any accidental harm caused to a protected person. Because nursing homes have a duty to protect their charges, an injury that occurs from bed rail entrapment could be the source of a claim.

These claims can demand compensation for any medical bills that result from an accident. This includes any outstanding medical bills due to the need for emergency care, surgery, and any physical rehabilitation. In addition, a claim can demand payments for any emotional trauma endured in the incident. Because bed rail entrapment can seriously affect a person’s enjoyment of life, especially since they are injured in the supposed safety of a nursing home, these claims can be significant. A Washington DC nursing home bed rail entrapment lawyer could help victims to establish nursing home neglect and to demand appropriate compensation.

Common Injuries Endured due to Bed Rail Entrapment

Nursing homes commonly use bed rails as a way to confine residents who should not get out of bed without supervision. Sadly, these rails are often used in an improper manner to restrain residents.

The Food and Drug Administration states that the improper use of bed rails as a restraint mechanism can cause serious injuries. These include:

  • Bruising, cuts, or scrapes
  • Falling injuries if a resident tumbles out of bed
  • Becoming caught within the rails of the bed. This can cause a twisting of joints that may cause separations or broken bones
  • Death if a person’s head or neck becomes trapped in the rail

No matter the extent or duration of a person’s injuries, a negligent nursing home is liable to provide compensation. A Washington DC nursing home bed rail entrapment attorney could help victims to evaluate their injuries and to connect them to nursing home negligence.

Let a DC Nursing Home Bed Rail Entrapment Attorney Assist

Bed rails are a common sight in Washington DC’s nursing homes. They are used to keep patients in bed who should not be moving without supervision. Still, even though these items are common, their mere presence in a patient’s room may carry a risk of harm.

Many nursing homes misuse these devices to improperly restrain a resident in bed. This may cause residents to suffer injuries that result from them becoming entrapped by the bars or even falling out of bed after a struggle. This can result in many injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes, to broken bones and to death.

A Washington DC nursing home bed rail entrapment lawyer could help residents injured from encounters with bed rails. They work to gather evidence of the incident, to use that evidence to demonstrate nursing home fault and to demand appropriate compensation. Contact an attorney today to learn more.