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Bedrail Injuries in Nursing Homes


Many people do not realize that bedrails on beds can be very dangerous to a nursing home resident. Residents can be severely harmed when nursing home facilities do not properly use bedrails and do not adequately monitor residents.

If your loved one is a nursing home resident, you should be aware of the potential hazards of bedrails and know what to watch for.

Why Bedrails Are Used in Nursing Homes

Bedrails can be beneficial to both patients and staff. Some of the reasons bed rails are used in nursing homes and hospital settings include:

  • They help keep patients from falling out of bed.
  • They offer a sense of security.
  • They help prevent falls when transporting patients.
  • They provide easy access to bed controls, television remotes, and personal items.
  • Patients can hold onto the rails when getting into or out of bed.
  • They can help a patient turn over or reposition themselves in the bed.

Despite these benefits, bed rails can also be very dangerous to nursing home patients. Approximately 4,000 residents are seen at hospital emergency rooms each year because of bedrail injuries.

When Bedrails Cannot Be Used in Nursing Homes

Georgia law prohibits restricting mobility unless a physician who performs a physical exam of the resident determines restraints are necessary to protect the resident or others.

Even then, the restraints can not be used for more than 35 days unless a physician conducts a reevaluation and determines that the need for restraints still exists.

Bedrails have been used as a form of restraint, which is prohibited unless prescribed by a physician as described above. However, when bed rails are not used for restraint purposes but to help the residents reposition themselves or get into and out of bed, they are permitted.

The intent behind the use of bedrails matters. If they are intended for the convenience of the nursing home staff, they may be seen as restraints. If they are intended for the convenience of the resident, they may be permissible.

How Bedrail Injuries Happen in Nursing Homes

In nursing homes, beds may be mixed with rails that are not designed to fit that bed and mattress. This can result in a dangerous gap between the mattress and the bed rails, which makes accidents more likely.

Most injuries involving bed rails in a nursing home happen when a resident becomes stuck between their mattress and the bed rails. A stuck resident may not have the strength or clarity of mind to pull themselves out of the space.

Their body weight pulls them further down, where the space is even tighter, and their breathing can be restricted. When this happens, a resident can asphyxiate or may become so stressed that they suffer a heart attack.

Bedrail injuries may also happen when a resident is disoriented and tries to get out of bed by crawling or stepping over the bedrails. This puts the resident at a greater height when falling and increases the risk of severe injury.

Consult an Experienced Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

If your loved one has suffered a bed rail injury in a nursing home facility, they may be entitled to recover compensation for their injuries.

It is essential that nursing homes be held accountable for neglect and abuse. When you file a valid claim, you are helping achieve justice for your loved one and helping protect other residents from similar harm.

Call (770) 865-8654 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.