Wheelchair and Hoyer Lift Accidents

It is not uncommon for nursing home residents to depend on wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts for mobility due to their inability to walk independently. These assistive devices are intended to provide safe movement and transfers, but if they are not used with proper care, they can lead to dangerous accidents that cause significant, and sometimes deadly, injuries. Wheelchair and Hoyer lift accidents often stem from carelessness and neglect, and the responsible parties should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If you, or someone you loved, suffered injuries in a nursing home accident involving a wheelchair or Hoyer lift, it is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as you can. Valerie Crown, of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is a seasoned Rockland County nursing home negligence attorney dedicated to helping nursing home negligence victims pursue justice for their losses, and if she represents you, she will fight to help you seek the outcome you deserve. Ms. Crown frequently represents people in claims against nursing homes in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties as well as in the greater metropolitan area.

Residents, who rely on wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts for transfer and mobility purposes, are especially vulnerable to falls and other harmful incidents, and if such accidents occur, they often cause serious harm. Therefore, it is critical that nursing homes ensure staff members are well-trained on how to use such devices and that any wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts, in use, are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent such avoidable injuries.

Wheelchair accidents can occur when they are improperly secured, leading to falls, tipping, or collisions with other devices or people. Accidents involving Hoyer lifts, which are mechanical devices used to transfer patients from one place to another, often happen due to improper handling, malfunctioning equipment, or inadequate staff training. These incidents can result in severe injuries such as fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, and, in extreme cases, fatalities.

State and federal regulations set forth the standards of care that bind nursing homes and establish the living conditions they must provide for their residents. If a nursing home neglects to uphold the standard of care, imposed by these regulations, and residents suffer harm as a result, such lapses may be grounds for pursuing a nursing home negligence lawsuit.

In New York a plaintiff, asserting a negligence claim, must first show that the defendant owed him/her a duty of care and that the defendant breached the duty owed. Generally, the duty a nursing home owes a resident is to abide by the standard of care imposed by the state and federal regulations, which includes providing nursing home residents with safe living environments. Any departure from the standard of care arguably constitutes a breach. In many cases, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert to explain what the standard of care demands and how the defendant failed to uphold the standard.

Next, the plaintiff must prove the defendant’s breach of the standard of care was the proximate cause of his/her losses. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that absent the defendant’s behavior, he/she would not have suffered harm. This often requires expert testimony as well.

Wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts are designed to make life easier for people with movement issues, but if they are not used with proper care, harmful accidents can occur. If you, or someone you love, suffered harm due to inattentive or inadequate care in a nursing home, you may be owed money damages, and it is advisable to confer with an attorney. Valerie Crown of The Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., is an experienced Rockland County nursing home negligence lawyer with the resources and skills needed to obtain favorable outcomes, and if you hire her, she will tirelessly pursue justice on your behalf. Ms. Crown has an office in New York, and she regularly represents injured parties in nursing home negligence lawsuits in Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties and in the greater metropolitan area. You can contact Valerie through the form online or by calling 845-708-5900 (office number) or 845-598-8253 (Valerie’s direct cellphone 24/7).