Can Wheelchair Accidents Be Nursing Home Abuse in Springfield, IL?
By Dan Noll on July 24th, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse
Understanding Liability in Illinois: When Can Wheelchair Accidents Be Nursing Home Abuse in Springfield, Explained by the Noll Law Office
Many individuals who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities have mobility-related disabilities. This means that individuals often rely on mobility assistance devices like canes or wheelchairs. According to government statistics, over 5.5 million Americans who use a wheelchair over 65 years of age are more than four times as likely to use one for mobility issues than younger individuals. This makes wheelchairs very common, although they are also very costly. Unfortunately, the nursing home abuse lawyers at the Noll Law Office know that wheelchair repairs can also be costly. Studies have found that roughly 65% of wheelchairs have needed repairs in the last six months, with some costing over $600. Thus, according to another study, many individuals and facilities put off repairing wheelchairs because of the cost. This means that some residents are using defective wheelchairs that can cause injuries. Victims who are injured often ask can wheelchair accidents be nursing home abuse in Springfield, Illinois.
The answer is unfortunately yes, some wheelchair accidents can be due to nursing home abuse, neglect, or negligence under Illinois law. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in any type of wheelchair accident in Illinois, contact the Noll Law Office to schedule a FREE case evaluation and consultation. Their compassionate and experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Springfield can help victims and their families recover the compensation that they deserve for their personal injuries, medical bills, and other damages. Unlike other personal injury law firms in Illinois, the fifth-generation lawyers at the Noll Law Office pride themselves in handling cases locally and in-house. That means when you call to speak with them, you’ll be talking to an experienced lawyer who is actually handling your case – not a new associate across the state like other law firms. To learn more about how the Noll Law Office can help you, call (217) 414-8889 today.
Troubling Statistics and Data on Wheelchair Accidents
Although many people may not think that wheelchair accidents occur that occur, other statistics reveal that roughly 3.3% of all wheelchair users suffer serious wheelchair-related accidents. Even though this does not sound like a large number, considering that there are 5.5 million wheelchair users in just the United States, that translates to roughly 181,500 serious wheelchair accidents.
Other statistics show that between 65% to 85% of wheelchair, accidents were caused by a trip and fall around it, sitting down, or getting up. The same statistics reveal that wheelchair injuries caused to adults were most likely to occur in homes, hospitals, and institutions such as nursing homes – with some of the annual data demonstrating occurrence rates as high as 90% at these facilities. Some of these accidents are fatal and result in the wrongful death of an innocent person.
What is a Wheelchair Accident in Illinois?
As the name implies, a wheelchair accident is any type of accident involving a wheelchair or similar mobility device. There are many ways that a wheelchair accident could happen. Each of these ways could possibly be due to nursing home abuse, neglect, or malpractice in Illinois. Some of the most common examples of wheelchair accidents include the following:
- Getting into a wheelchair – residents who are getting into a wheelchair often need to be assisted by nursing home staff. This usually entails ensuring the wheelchair’s brakes are on, the wheelchair is on a level surface, and the footrests (if present) are rotated upwards and now down in the area where a person will walk. Staff needs to also assist residents in getting into the chair, holding a resident under the arm, or supporting the resident’s back or shoulders as the resident sits down. Staff may also need to hold the wheelchair from tipping side to side, which applies whether or not there are brakes.
- Going up or down ramps – transporting a resident around a facility, into a specially-equipped wheelchair van, or pushing around the facility or out in the community, all needs to be done with care. Staff who are rushing, pushing too hard, or who are not paying attention could cause serious injuries to residents in a wheelchair. This includes getting on and off a van, where a resident could fall from a significant height in one of those specially-equipped vans.
- Transfer injuries – residents who need more assistance getting in and out of a wheelchair may need special devices, hoists, or at least two staff members to get them up and out of a wheelchair. However, sometimes a facility does not have the proper equipment, such equipment is damaged, or there is not enough staff to effectuate the transfer. When this happens, some staff may try an inappropriate transfer of a resident from a wheelchair to a chair, bed, toilet, bath, or another location. That could result in a fall or a drop, which could be very serious and result in catastrophic personal injuries.
- Getting out of a wheelchair – great care must be taken to get a resident out of a wheelchair. Just like getting in, staff must lock the brakes, rotate footrests upwards, and prevent the wheelchair from rolling or tipping over. However, unlike getting in, staff must be particularly mindful that some residents may be shaky, tired, or not strong enough to lift themselves out of a wheelchair. Thus, staff must use extra care and attention in helping a resident get out of a wheelchair, especially those with a bucket seat or a soft seat. Once a resident is up, staff must also help guide a resident around the wheels, leg rests, or other parts of a wheelchair. Residents who fall getting out of a wheelchair may be the victims of nursing home abuse, neglect, or negligence in Illinois.
- Defective wheelchairs – as noted above, wheelchairs are expensive, and repairing them can also be costly. Unfortunately, some facilities will continue to use wheelchairs that they know are defective and otherwise unsafe. This includes wheelchairs that may have parts that are broken off and are sharp, causing lacerations, puncture wounds, or other injuries. Some wheelchairs may be so defective that they could collapse or break as a person is getting in or out to fall.
The Noll Law Office Can Answer Can Wheelchair Accidents Be Nursing Home Abuse in Springfield, IL: Call Us Today to Schedule a FREE Consultation
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a wheelchair accident in Springfield, Illinois, call the Noll Law Office to schedule a FREE consultation with one of their experienced nursing home abuse lawyers. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are responsible for ensuring residents get in and out of wheelchairs safely. When these facilities fail to do that, including when they fail to provide assistance to residents in need, supervise residents, or otherwise neglect to properly maintain their wheelchairs, they could be liable for personal injuries caused in a wheelchair accident. To learn more about your rights and your loved one’s case, contact the experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office today.