Our California Elder Abuse Act lawyers handle many cases due to bone fractures. Many elderly people suffer broken bones during admissions to nursing homes due to:  falls, being dropped, or perhaps improper care from staff.  Regardless of how the fracture occurred, a fractured bone in the elderly must be promptly identified and treated. Under the California Elder Abuse Act you or a loved one may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffered which resulted from a broken bone. Our San Diego residential care facility attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of the Elder Abuse Act and elder abuse law in California which we will put to use for your case.

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone that requires medical attention.  Fifty percent of women over age fifty and twenty-five percent of men over age fifty will suffer from an age-related bone fracture sometime in their lifetime.  Elderly people are particularly susceptible to broken bones because as bones age, they lose the ability to resist the formation and growth cracks that can lead to bone breaks because they cannot withstand as much pressure as younger bones.  Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies ability to heal fractures is compromised.  Nursing home staff can take steps to help maintain bone health in elderly nursing home residents by helping residents get:

• Regular exercise;

• Adequate amounts of calcium; and

• Adequate amounts of vitamin D (essential for calcium absorption)

The California Elder Abuse Act and how our San Diego Elder Abuse Act attorneys can help

The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA) was enacted in 1991 to protect elderly patients in California’s nursing facilities from abuse, neglect, and physical harm and suffering. In the event that a patient suffers abuse or neglect, the patient or his or her family may seek legal action for compensation of any pain and suffering endured. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, contact a qualified San Diego Elder Abuse Act attorney at our firm today so that we may assist you with your claim.

Osteoporotic Nursing Home Patients and Fractures

Elderly nursing home residents who have osteoporosis (porous weak bones) or other conditions that lead to weakened bones or decreased bone density are at risk for bone fractures.  Weak bones have low levels of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals in the bones, which makes people more susceptible to fractures because the bones are more brittle.

Women suffering from osteoporosis are twice as likely to suffer from bone fractures as men with osteoporosis.  Fractures from osteoporosis are most common in the spine and hips (bones that directly support weight), and the wrists from bracing.  Therefore, nursing home staff should take extra precautions to prevent falls and provide adequate nutrition to maintain the well-being of residents. If someone close to you has suffered a severe fracture as a result of negligent treatment in a nursing home, contact a California residential care facility lawyer at our firm today to discuss the details of your case.

Diabetic Nursing Home Patients and Fractures

Many nursing home residents also suffer from diabetes.  A recent study suggests that there is an association between a drug introduced in the 1990s to help treat type 2 diabetes (thiazolidinediones) and bone fracture.  The increased risk of fracture increased as the duration of the drug treatment increased and was observed in both men and women.  Therefore, nursing home residents who have been treated with the drug also might have a further increased risk of bone fractures.

Medical Treatment for Fractures in the Elderly

Treatment for bone fractures depends on the location of the break.  For most fractures occurring in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, the initial treatment is splinting the injured limb and immobilizing the joints above and below an injury to prevent movement at the fracture site.  Then, the splint is removed and replaced by a cast.

Some breaks might also require surgery in order to properly align bone fragments, increase stability, and ensure that bones will heal properly.  Some fractures might also require metal hardware (pins, plates, or rods) to hold the bone in place.  Older adults heal slower than younger people, which can cause additional complications and mobility issues for nursing home residents. Our San Diego Elder Abuse Act lawyers can help you in the event that a complication has resulted from the negligent treatment received for a broken bone. We will put you in the hands of the most qualified medical professionals so that a full recovery may be made if at all possible, while also pursing legal action to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering. Allow the San Diego residential care facility lawyers at our firm to help you with your case.

If you are concerned about a suspicious fracture incurred by a loved one in a nursing home or other type of elder care facility due to negligent care, call a California residential care facility lawyer at Berman & Riedel, LLP today at (858) 350-8855.  Our staff will be more than happy to provide you and your family with an initial free consultation to discuss with you any questions or concerns you may have.  To learn more about elder abuse and neglect law issues and what our San Diego Elder Abuse Act attorneys can do for you, visit Berman & Riedel, LLP’s main website at www.preventelderabuse.com.