The Legal Implications of Restraint Use in Nursing Homes: Expert Analysis from a Florida Nursing Home Lawyer
If you or your loved one has suffered injuries while in a nursing home, contact your Florida nursing home lawyer to schedule a consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for those injuries. The following information from your Florida nursing home lawyer discusses restraint injuries that can happen in a nursing home. If you have any further questions about the subject, contact your Florida nursing home lawyer for a consultation.
Restraint Injuries in a Nursing Home
There are two typical ways that someone may be restrained while in a nursing home. Those two ways are:
- when they should be used, for safety reasons
- when they are used when they should not be
Whether used for safety reasons or not, restraints can cause a serious injury to a person. In most cases, injuries are sustained when restraints are used in situations where they should not be used. Some restraints are put into place to help the residents be safe and have a better quality of life. Restraints that are used for safety reasons can include any of the following:
- Adding railings to a bed so that the resident does not roll off
- Adding safety belts to chairs or walkers to minimize the chances of falling
- A violent resident may be restrained for the safety of the other residents
- A door lock can prevent a confused resident from wandering and getting lost
However, not all restraints are used properly by the staff in the nursing home. Sometimes, overworked staff members may use a strap to hold down a resident that does not need to be restrained for their own convenience or as a punishment. Staff members may think that a restrained resident is one that cannot get into trouble, therefore they do not need to perform a check on them as often. This is a dangerous belief. Restraints can do more harm than good. In fact, residents who are restrained should be check up on more often than those who are not. Being restrained for any length of time can cause the following:
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- muscle atrophy
- bedsores
- depression
Restraints need to be used properly by the staff to be effective.
Schedule a Consultation with a Florida Nursing Home Lawyer
To receive skilled and professional assistance, contact your Florida nursing home lawyer today from Giroux & Associates Inc at (727) 895-5399. Giroux & Associates Inc knows the Florida nursing home lawyer who can help you fight for your rights, or for the rights of your loved one in a nursing home. Help stop nursing home neglect – call today!