Understanding the Risks of Vehicle Transport Injuries
Nursing home abuse has become a major problem in this country. Abuse and negligence occur on a frequent basis, and many facilities lack the staffing, updated equipment or proper transport vehicles to keep residents safe. Nursing home abuse can be challenging to prove, so it may be in your best interests to work with a St. Petersburg nursing home attorney if you believe a loved one has fallen victim to abuse.
Dangerous Transport Equipment
Nursing home residents usually have frequent medical appointments, and facility staff must transport them. In addition, nursing homes often arrange shopping trips and day outings for residents. This can be very beneficial for a resident who otherwise spends her life within the confines of the facility. However, the transport vehicles they use are not always safe and up to contemporary standards.
As your St. Petersburg nursing home attorney will tell you, many facilities lack up-to-date equipment, and transport vehicles are often among these. Given that many residents are wheelchair-bound, facilities must use vans and shuttles that are modified to include wheelchair lifts and locks. Safety features have advanced for such vehicles over the past couple of decades, but, when a facility uses an old van, they are not placing residents in the safest of vehicles. Even if the equipment was once safe, machinery breaks down over time. Wheelchair lifts may jerk and move erratically, and floor locks and safety belts may break.
Your St. Petersburg nursing home injury lawyer can tell you that even when a facility uses newer vehicles, staff may not be adequately trained in using their specialized equipment. Some do not drive safely.
What to Do If Your Loved One Is Injured during Transport
It is important that you keep a close eye on the nursing facility where your loved one lives. If your mother, father or other loved one is injured as a result of an unsafe transport vehicle or staff error, speak with a St. Petersburg nursing home attorney about your options. Call Peter Giroux today at (727) 895-5399.