Bed Rail Entrapment Injuries

Kentucky residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and even in hospitals, as well as people across the United States may use certain medical devices or equipment to help the elderly reduce their risk of falls and other injuries. Bed rails are one of these pieces of equipment that is often used for people unable to move around much on their own or who may be at a higher risk of falling out of bed. Unfortunately, bed rails can sometimes be used as a way to restraint patients or residents and this can lead to injuries or even death of these patients or residents. If someone you love has suffered an injury caused by a bed rail, then it is important that you speak to a Kentucky Bed Rail Entrapment and nursing home lawyer as soon as possible. They will review your case and help you to get the compensation you may be entitled to for your suffering.

Bed rail entrapment can be defined as when a person is lodged between the bed rail and the mattress or when a person becomes trapped in the bed rail by itself.

According to a Food and Drug Administration’s safety alert and report in nineteen ninety-five, the four most common ways that patients can become entrapped in bed rails are:

• In the bars of a single bed rail
• In between spaces in certain bed rails
• Between a patient’s mattress and the bed rail
• Between the top or bottom of the bed and the mattress and bed rail

The Food and Drug Administration stated the important of routine inspections of bed rails and mattresses as well as using protective devices to reduce the risk of entrapment. Finally, they stated that bed rails should not be used as a form of restraint for patients. Unfortunately several nursing homes and assisted living facilities use this equipment improperly and this increases the risk of entrapment.

After the Food and Drug Administration released safety guidelines in 2010, they revealed that during the period of time between 1985 and 2009, four hundred and eighty bed rail entrapment accidents reported to them had led to death.

Although there are several ways a person can be injured due to bed rails or entrapment, the Food and Drug Administration reported that the major injuries can include:

• Strangulation or suffocation if the neck becomes trapped in the bed rail
• Bruising, fractures and other injuries to the body from being trapped by the rail
• An elevated risk of self-inflicted injuries when patient may become confused or frustrated because they are trapped
• Other injuries that may led to death

If someone you care about has been injured or died as a result of being trapped or restrained by a bed rail, then it is advised that you contact a Kentucky bed rail entrapment and nursing home attorney at the Higgins Firm as soon as possible. We will listen to your claim and help see to it that you get the compensation you and your loved one are entitled to for your injuries.

Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.