Injuries from Patient Wandering
Because many residents suffer from cognitive impairments, injuries from patient wandering are serious problems for nursing homes. “Wandering” is defined as straying into unsafe or unauthorized areas within the facility, while “elopement” is the term used when a resident who is unable to safely do so leaves the facility alone unsupervised or unnoticed. Statistics show that one of every five cognitively impaired nursing home residents were found to wander and more than 34,000 dementia patients stray from their homes or nursing homes every year.
Elopement can result in death in a number of ways. The individual may die of exposure from cold or dehydration from heat, lack of medication, falls, drowning in a nearby body of water or be struck by a car or even train. If a person who is incapable of protecting themselves wanders or elopes and is injured or killed, the facility may be liable.
Nursing home facilities are required to assess residents for wandering and elopement risks. If a nursing home resident is determined to be at risk for wandering and elopement, a care plan with preventative measures must be developed.
When the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home has been reached, families spend much time finding a facility they can trust to keep their loved one safe. Sadly, many families find out too late that their trust has been misplaced. The nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List understand the sense of betrayal and devastation families feel when a loved one dies as a result of nursing home neglect.
More About Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Contact A Lawyer
RECENT BLOG POSTS FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Another Case of Nursing Home Abuse Caught on Camera
We have reported in earlier posts that new legislation allows the use of recording devices in nursing homes. Unfortunately more cases are being reported about nursing home abuse caught on camera.
Nursing Homes Still Experiencing Staff Shortages
According to a recent survey by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), 94% of nursing homes and 81% of assisted living communities have faced a shortage of staff members recently. And more than half of the facilities...
Medical Malpractice Attorneys Explain What Victims Need to Prove
We trust medical professionals to provide the highest standard of care. When that trust is betrayed and a patient is harmed, a medical malpractice attorney in Columbus, Ohio, can offer legal guidance. Pursuing a claim may be a sensible course of action, but several...
Can Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Hold a Facility Liable for Abuse?
Neglect and abuse in Columbus adult care facilities takes many forms, and when victims suffer physical harm, emotional trauma, financial exploitation or sexual assault, nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to hold those responsible accountable for their actions....
5 Reasons to Get Help from a Columbus Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Have you suffered harm or injury due the negligence of a health care provider in Columbus? A medical malpractice lawyer can help and having a skilled and experienced legal professional in your corner is in your best interests. Pursuing a malpractice claim on your own...
Using Cameras in Nursing Homes to Catch Elder Abuse is Now Legal
Governor Mike DeWine has signed legislation allowing the use of recording devices in nursing homes. Esther’s Law became effective in Ohio on March 23, 2022. The legislation is named Esther’s Law after Steve Piskor used a hidden camera in his mother’s nursing home room...