Nursing home residents and their families trust that caregivers will provide a safe environment. Incidents like patient drops can easily break trust, especially when the consequences are physically and emotionally devastating. Dropped patients in Virginia Beach nursing homes injuries do more than cause physical harm—they can also cause serious trauma and fear that can make life more difficult for your loved one.
If a loved one has been injured due to being dropped, the legal system may provide options for justice. Experienced nursing home abuse attorneys could help secure favorable outcomes in personal injury claims, including those that involve elder neglect and nursing home abuse. These are a few things every individual should know before filing a claim against a nursing home.
A dropped patient refers to a nursing home resident who staff accidentally or negligently drop during transfers or repositioning. These incidents often result from staff failing to use appropriate techniques or necessary equipment.
Dropped patient incidents in a Virginia Beach nursing home may result in serious injuries such as:
Older adults often face reduced capacity for recovery, making it critical to address their well-being following such incidents.
The most common causes of patient drops in Virginia Beach nursing homes include understaffed hospitals, poor staff training, and caregiver negligence. In many nursing homes, high staff turnover or a lack of supervision can contribute to unsafe environments.
For example, a caregiver may drop a patient while attempting a transfer without assistance. Inadequate training may also lead to mishandling individuals unable to bear weight or to overlooking signs of limited mobility or cognitive impairment. These actions could breach the standard of care.
State law recognizes the rights of nursing home residents and imposes requirements on nursing homes to protect them. The Virginia Department of Health requires that nursing homes provide a standard of care to maintain sufficient staff to meet resident needs, to properly train employees in safe patient handling techniques, and to implement care plans tailored to each resident’s physical condition.
Virginia law allows injured parties or their representatives to file civil claims against nursing homes for negligence and abuse. As part of these claims, injured parties must demonstrate that the nursing home owed the resident a duty of care that was breached. An attorney in Virginia Beach could help manage these nursing home dropped patient claims to help a case seem reasonable.
Pursuing a claim against a nursing home involves gathering evidence, medical records, and often conflicting accounts from staff members. Having an experienced attorney on hand is essential. Our firm offers deep knowledge of nursing home litigation, particularly in cases involving elder neglect. The firm has secured substantial verdicts on behalf of other victims and their families.
A legal team can assist your case by investigating the circumstances of the drop, reviewing facility records, consulting with medical experts, and filing a lawsuit before deadlines. If you want to know more about dropped patients in Virginia Beach nursing homes and your legal options, contact an attorney today to set up a free consultation.
