Nursing homes provide care for people who are considered more vulnerable. Often, this concerns elderly individuals. While the care each person requires will vary from case to case, nursing homes have a legal duty to ensure that all residents are safe at the very least.
Nursing home fires are quite rare but common enough to warrant further discussion. These fires can result in severe burns and even fatalities. Of course, fires are not the only cause of burn injuries. Radiators, cooking equipment, lamps and various other items around the nursing home provide a source of heat that can burn. Why are burn injuries so serious in elderly people?
A higher risk of infection
Elderly individuals are the most likely group of people to suffer from serious infections such as sepsis and pneumonia. Burns are notorious for becoming infected and if they are not cleaned properly and kept this way, then the risk of infection is very high.
Pre-existing conditions
Elderly individuals are also much more likely to have preexisting health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. A severe burn can impact more than the site of the wound, it can also cause the heart rate to increase as well as potentially putting the body into shock. For an elderly person, these complications can be serious and even life-threatening.
Nursing homes owe your loved ones a duty of care. This means that they should provide a safe environment to live in as well as adequate supervision. If they have failed in this duty, then it is probably time to look more closely at your legal options.
