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Fox News reported in March 2017 that more than 20,000 people living in U.S. nursing homes experienced serious injuries to the face in 2016. These injuries occurred mainly from falling and hitting hard surfaces or while getting in and out of bed. 

"Face injuries can be particularly serious for elderly people because they can affect vital functions like speech, swallowing, sight, and even breathing," said Dr. Peter Svider, a researcher at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. 

What are the types of facial injuries sustained? 

The American Medical Association (AMA) reported in The JAMA Network that the most common facial injuries were deep cuts or skin tears, which made up over 44 percent of all injuries. A similar percentage of patients experienced other soft-tissue injuries, including bruises on the skin or in deep tissues and the tearing off of patches of skin. Bone fractures accounted for nearly 13 percent of injuries. More than two thirds of these breaks were to the nose, and the next most common fracture site was the eye socket. The AMA said the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was used to calculate incidence and characteristics of facial trauma among nursing home residents. 

What is the cause of these facial injuries? 

57 percent of facial injuries, according to an article by Madeline Kennedy of Reuters, are caused by falling and hitting structures such as the floor, countertops, doors or cabinets. The second most common source of injury, which accounted for 23 percent, was getting in and out of bed. 

Solutions that can be put in place 

The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine confirms that providers can, and should, take certain steps to better protect the patients in their care from falls and injury. Nursing homes need to have standardized fall protection programs which include environmental safety adaptations along with a systematic approach to assessing risk factors in individual residents. 

Florida law protects seniors in nursing homes 

In general, nursing homes are held to a high standard of care. Under Florida law, nursing home patients are entitled to a basic set of rights when living in a nursing home. Florida nursing home laws require that a nursing home provide patients with a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment. If a caregiver or professional employee of the nursing home staff does not hold to these standards, the incident should be reported immediately. 

Florida law requires that any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited shall immediately report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Abuse Hotline on the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). 

"If your loved one has been injured from a fall or any other accident because of nursing home negligence and/or abuse, you will need an experienced attorney by your side. Per state and federal laws, victims of nursing home abuse and/or their loved ones can file civil damages for pain and suffering, medical negligence, financial exploitation, wrongful death, and more. Contact the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm. Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights," said Randall Spivey, Fort Myers Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer.

Fort Myers Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney  the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.