Doreen Hilda Chaplin was not used to being lifted by the nursing home staff. Osteoporosis had left her legs extremely weak, and a mechanical lift was required to lift her to and from her bed.
But in September 2010, two staff members broke company policy and manually lifted Chaplin from a chair into her bed. The lift resulted in leg fractures that left Chaplin “sobbing and whimpering,” according to ABC News. Six days after the incident, Chaplin passed away at the age of 82.
“I find on the balance of probabilities that during the course of the manual lifting procedure performed by (aides) Ms. Lockey and Ms. Incledon, both of Mrs. Chaplin’s thighs were broken either by the application of gravitational forces applied to her legs while unsupported during the course of the lifting itself, or by the forces involved when both of her legs were lifted by the feet from a lower position to a higher position when no part of her legs other than her feet were being supported,” said deputy state coroner Anthony Schapel.
ABC News reports that the two staff members “had been disciplined” and that the home “reinforced its policy against manual lifting by sending out a written directive to all staff after the incident.”
Many times, these injuries happen due to lack of attention to detail. Nursing home residents have individual needs, and it is important that facilities take those needs into account when providing care.
The Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm represents clients in cases involving catastrophic injury caused by nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to provide proper care. If your loved one has been harmed due neglect or abuse in a nursing home, take action and contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
