Bed Rail Injuries in Colorado Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Justice Helps Bed Rail Injury Victims

The abuse and misuse of bed rails are widespread among nursing homes and could severely injure you or your loved one, and it also could be a sign of a much larger issue.

Nursing Home Justice recognizes that nursing homes have a reputation for being abusive environments and has helped victims recover the financial compensation they need after an injury.

Lead attorney Mac Hester has over 35 years of legal experience and a passion for helping you obtain justice. He’ll personally handle your case and blaze the trail for your recovery.

Contact attorney Mac Hester with Nursing Home Justice today – (303) 775-8128

What is the Purpose of a Bed Rail?

Nursing homes use bed rails to reduce residents’ risk of falling, primarily when transporting residents to other areas of the facility. Additionally, the handrails are meant to act as handholds to assist residents out of bed. Although these features intend to help residents, they only make matters worse. In fact, fall risk is not even considered a viable reason to use bed rails.

What Are Common Risks Associated with Bed Rails in Nursing Homes?

The FDA states that between 1985 and 2009, there were 803 incidents of patients being caught, trapped, or strangled in beds with rails. Out of those 803 incidents, 480 were fatal. As you can see, bed rails tend to create more problems than solutions, and you or a loved one might have suffered from one or more of the following:

• Strangulation – When attempting to get out of bed, a resident’s head could get stuck in the spaces between the bars of a bed rail. The rail could choke them, or their face could be pinned against the mattress, causing suffocation.
• Falling – Although bed rails intend to prevent falls, residents might fall trying to climb over them.
• Bruising and Skin Scarring – Residents could cut or bruise themselves on the bed rail while trying to get out of bed.
• Broken and Fractured Bones – Depending on the severity of the fall, a resident could suffer significant bone breaks.
• Emotional Distress – Restricting a resident’s mobility makes them feel isolated, increasing their risk for depression and anxiety.
• Lack of Hygiene – Neglected residents confined to their beds are more likely to soil their clothing and go days without bathing or changing their clothes.

Who's Most At Risk for Bed Rail Injuries?

Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients are among the most vulnerable to bed rail injuries because they are more likely to get out of bed and wander off. To avoid this, nursing homes use physical restraints and bed rails to ensure residents remain in their bedrooms.

But this is no way to treat residents with memory impairments. Staff members should instead view other care options and have adequate personnel capable of handling residents in these conditions.

Residents who experience sleep disturbances or uncontrolled body movements are also at a higher risk for bed rail injuries because they are more likely to fall out of bed. Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients often suffer from sleep disturbances because of their condition. Medications and other psychiatric illnesses could also cause sleep disruptions.

Who's At Fault for Bed Rail Injuries?

Many individuals could be liable for your or your loved one’s injuries, and it might not always be the primary caregiver.

Here are the following parties that could be at fault:

• Nursing Home Staff – Neglectful staff members may abuse bed rails by confining residents to their rooms for long periods
• Nursing Home Facility – The facility is responsible for supervising staff members and ensuring residents receive the quality care they deserve
• Management Companies – These companies should ensure that nursing homes are adequately staffed with experienced personnel
• Nursing Home Chain Entities – Private equity firms purchase nursing homes with profit in mind. They’re notorious for understaffing and mismanaging nursing homes nationwide.

How Can Nursing Homes Prevent Bed Rail Injuries

According to the Long Term Care Community Coalition, bed rails should only be used after exploring all other alternatives. Furthermore, nursing homes should:

• Assess the resident’s risk for entrapment
• Discuss the risks and benefits of bed rails with the resident or their representative
• Ensure the bed’s dimensions are appropriate for the resident’s size
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing bed rails

Once bed rails are installed, nursing homes must regularly revisit a resident’s need for them to avoid long-term use.

What Can You Recover for Bed Rail Injuries?

When you or your loved one suffer from bed rail injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for the following damages:

• Physical pain
• Mental Suffering
• Current and ongoing medical bills
• Long-term care expenses
• Diminished quality of life

Wrongful Death Damages

Since so many bed rail cases result in death, there is a chance you lost your loved one. In this case, you could require compensation for the following damages:

• Loss of financial support
• Funeral costs
• Loss of companionship

How We Obtain Justice for Injured Victims

Nursing Home Justice will blaze the trail for your recovery by:

• Hearing Your Story – We know you’ve been through a lot, and our lead attorney, Mac Hester, will sit down with you to discuss what happened.
• Investigating Your Case – We’ll review the facts of your case and sift through the evidence to strengthen your claim.
• Fighting for Full Compensation – This horrific experience most likely hurt you physically, emotionally, and financially. We’ll help you recover everything you lost.