Omaha Nursing Home Bed Transfer Injury Attorneys

Representing Injured Omaha Nursing Home Residents

Some people residing in nursing homes have physical issues that make it difficult or impossible for them to move around independently from one location to another. Nursing home staff may need to perform transfers and lifting in various situations, for example, to move a resident from a bed to a chair. If not done properly, lifting and transfer can cause serious injuries to elderly nursing home residents.

How Often Are Bed Transfers and Lifting Required?

For residents with severe or partial mobility issues, bed transfers and lifting may be required on a frequent and regular basis. Changes of position at regular intervals are important to help prevent bedsores. Nursing home staff may need to perform transfers and lifts to:

• Sit a resident up in bed
• Transfer a resident from a bed to a wheelchair
• Help a resident to the restroom
• Help a resident into and out of a shower or bath
• Help a resident to the dining area

How Do Falls Occur with Transfers and Lifting?

Nursing homes should have mechanical lifts and proper equipment that enables staff to perform lifting and transfers safely, without injury to themselves or to residents. Facilities should properly train their staff on the correct methods to use in bed transfers and lifting. When nursing homes are understaffed, or staff are not properly trained, they can cause injuries to residents, including falls.

When a lift is used, a resident placed in the wrong position in the sling can become unbalanced and fall out when the machine begins lifting. If untrained nursing home staff move the machine or use the equipment improperly, it can cause residents to become unstable and fall. A fall can also occur if the machine is placed too close to furniture or items on the floor and the sling catches and tilts.

What Are the Common Injuries When a Senior Suffers a Fall?

Falls are particularly dangerous for older adults. They are the leading cause of injury and injury death in people ages 65 and older, as stated by CDC. One out of every five falls causes injuries, such as head injuries or bone fractures. Every year approximately 3 million seniors are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries, and every year at least 300,000 are hospitalized for hip fractures. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways.

What Forms of Compensation Are Available for Transfer and Lifting Injuries?

If nursing home negligence caused your elderly loved one’s injuries, you may have a claim for compensation against the facility. The damages you are eligible to claim will depend on the severity of the injuries, the degree of negligence involved, and other circumstances in your case. You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, refunding of nursing home expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.

How Can an Omaha Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Help?

Our experienced Omaha nursing home abuse lawyer can help you pursue the compensation your family deserves for serious bed transfer and lifting injuries resulting from negligence. We can conduct a thorough investigation into how your loved one’s injuries occurred. This will include reviewing nursing home records, interviewing nursing home staff, and taking statements from potential witnesses. We can help you prove what is needed to prevail in a nursing home negligence case:

• The nursing home breached a duty of care to your injured loved one; and
• The nursing home’s breach of care was the cause of your loved one’s injuries and resulting damages.

Contact Bottlinger Law L.L.C. at (402) 505-8234. We will put your mind at ease and work tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve.