Our Bend/Portland, Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Explain Why Spiral Fractures Might be a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse
No one likes to place a loved one in a nursing home. But when we have to, we like to think they are loving places. Most times they are. Unfortunately, sometimes they are not. Physical abuse in nursing homes is a problem. Many times nursing home abuse is very difficult to detect. Some reasons are simply not able to defend themselves or even communicate their injuries, whereas other times residents are afraid to do so. But there are some clear signs of nursing home abuse such as spiral fractures. Our Bend/Portland, Oregon nursing home abuse lawyers know that spiral fractures in elderly patients are strong indicators of physical abuse. Learn spiral fractures and why they are a serious red flag here.
What are Spiral Fractures?
There are many different types of bone fractures. One of the most unique types of fractures is a spiral fracture. As the name implies, this is a fracture which occurs up and down a down in a corkscrew pattern. The spiral is visible on an x-ray and there are no other fractures like a spiral fracture. Unlike other types of fractures, there are also very few ways that a spiral fracture could be caused. Most of the causes of spiral fractures are due to a twist and pull motion.
Why Are Spiral Fractures Signs of Oregon Nursing Home Abuse
Given the unique nature of a spiral fracture, it is common for a spiral fracture to be caused by nursing home abuse. This is typically physical abuse. This is because spiral fractures generally occur in a twist and pull action. The most common way for a spiral fracture to occur is when a resident’s arm is grabbed and pulled in one direction, but the resident is resisting and pulling back in the opposite direction. The force is read across the bone which creates the spiral fracture. Thus, any kind of grab and twist or pull of a resident’s arm or leg may result in a spiral fracture.
Other Causes of Fractures May Still be Negligence
While spiral fractures could occur in situation when a resident gets his or her ankle caught in something and twists on the way to the ground, this is not common and still a sign of potential nursing home neglect or negligence. Other situations when a spiral fracture could be caused without physical abuse are if a resident is caught in the metal bars of a wheelchair or in bed restraints. These could get a resident’s limb caught and twisted as the residents resists. These scenarios are also a sign of nursing home neglect or abuse.
Therefore, even if a nursing home is claiming that a resident sustained a spiral fracture due to the sole conduct or actions of the resident, this does not always mean that it was just the resident’s fault. Indeed, it could be other forms of negligence or nursing home neglect.
Ask our Bend/Portland, Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers if Any Residents Sustains a Fracture in a Nursing Home Facility
Spiral fractures are a huge red flag for nursing home abuse. However, any type of fracture may be a sign of other types of nursing home neglect, negligence, or abuse. Victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering, medical bills, surgery costs, and other expenses due to the nursing home malpractice. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect contact the Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Nursing Home Abuse cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.