Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing Home Abuse Under-Reported Despite Law, Finds Government Audit

September 19, 2017 | Tapalian Law

Rhode Island is home to over 80 certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes which provide a vital service to elderly and disabled patients. These facilities contain over 8,500 resident beds, 90% of which are full. As an injury law firm advocating for elder abuse victims who have incurred a personal injury in a nursing home, at Tapalian Law we find it unsettling that a recent review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found 33 states failed to report incidents of potential abuse or neglect in skilled nursing facilities, as required by Federal Law. The probe discovered more than 1 in 4 cases of possible nursing home abuse allegedly went unreported to police.

Federal Law requires immediate notification of instances of physical or sexual abuse against nursing home patients. Nursing homes should be a comfort to residents who need the medical care, daily assistance, and social opportunities offered by these types of facilities. A nursing home shouldn’t be a frightening experience fraught with elderly abuse and neglect. Tapalian Law is a personal injury law firm helping victims of nursing home neglect and abuse and their families. We realize that nursing homes are a critical element in the lives of many Rhode Island residents and provide a vital service to elderly or disabled patients and their loved ones.

Report Findings by Department of Health and Human Services

How to Prevent Injuries in a Fall- From “Professionals” in the Business

January 30, 2017 | Tapalian Law

The most common cause of injury seen in emergency rooms in the United States, falls can occur at any age. Though many falls are harmless, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 falls causes a serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury. It is estimated that around 7.9 million emergency room visits a year are due to falls. Injuries caused by a fall can be detrimental to anyone, especially the elderly. And once a fall does occur, even if it does not cause an injury, it can cause a fear of falling. This fear may result in one changing their daily routine or cutting down on everyday activities to avoid another fall. However, when a person becomes excessively tentative and less active, they become weaker, which in turn increases their chances of falling and getting injured.

Who Is At Risk for a Fall?

Certainly, age is a big factor and the elderly are more prone to falls. Fall injuries requiring medical attention rise exponentially from age 18 on. There are many risk factors involved that affect both young and old alike.

Prevent Nursing Home Falls To Avoid Head Injuries

January 27, 2017 | Tapalian Law

A fall can cause a traumatic brain injury or TBI, which includes concussions. Elderly people are more susceptible to falls because the ability to balance decreases with age, and they may have more difficulty walking without assistance. For this reason, falls in nursing homes are common because of the number of elderly and incapacitated patients. However, falls in nursing homes can be prevented if the staff takes reasonable measures to ensure safety.

Basic Requirements for Resident Safety

A nursing home facility should provide a safe place for residents to move around by meeting specific guidelines to prevent falls. This includes removing tripping hazards, such as rugs and electrical cords from traffic areas, as well as keeping clutter out of hallways and other walk areas.

Be Careful What You Post On Social Media – How Social Sharing Impacts Your Rhode Island Accident Claim

October 21, 2016 | Tapalian Law

Thanks to sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, people can share the details of their lives with friends and family every second of the day. People post everything from what they are eating for breakfast and where they are eating dinner to how irritated they are standing in line at the grocery store and how long they have sat in the doctor’s office waiting to see the doctor.

Therefore, it’s common to tell others about a car accident you were in or other accident that caused you to be injured. Social media makes it easy and convenient to update all of your friends and family with one post. Posting on social media is much easier than making numerous telephone calls or sending a text to each person. However, sharing information on social media can damage your accident claim, especially if you have a public profile. Don’t be fooled; social media posts can damage your personal injury claim even if your profiles are private.

Nothing you post on the internet is completely private, regardless of your security settings. The attorney for the other party will be monitoring your activity online. He may also request a subpoena from the court to compel you to turn over the information from your social media accounts.