Family members seldom think about their loved ones suffering burns when considering the risks associated with a nursing home. Unfortunately, the threat is all too real. Nursing home negligence tends to conjure up images of falls and physical abuse, but burn injuries are all too common. The saddest part is that these injuries are preventable. When they do happen, burn and scalding injuries are often the result nursing home staff either forgetting to check on patients or failing to use care in assisting the resident.
One of the most common sources of scalding and burns in nursing homes is when residents are left unattended in the bath or shower. Water heated to 120 degrees can cause 2nd degree burns in 8 minutes and 3rd degree burns in 10 minutes. If water is heated to 150 degrees 2nd degree burns can occur in less than one second and 3rd degree burns may appear shortly thereafter.
Elderly persons are particularly susceptible to burns because of their fragile skin. Yet bathing is not the only place where scalding and burns occur in nursing homes. Hot food, pots, stoves, and other appliances also represent burn risks to the elderly when these items are not properly shielded.
The worst part of burn and scalding injuries is the extreme pain they cause and the serious and long lasting damage. In fact, burn injuries can result in amputation, nerve damage, tendon, ligament, or muscle injury, reduced mobility, scarring, and disfigurement. In some cases nursing home residents have even died as a result of burn and scalding injuries.
Nursing home abuse and negligence claims involve many complex legal and medical issues. Having the right attorney is essential to recovering what you deserve. Our Midwest nursing home abuse law firm will do everything possible to assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation possible. More importantly, our firm will serve as an ally that will give you and your family the respect and compassion it needs. Contact us to protect your family today.
