If a nursing home resident suffers restraint injuries or strangulation, family members should request a thorough and comprehensive investigation as soon as possible. These types of injuries are generally consistent with nursing home abuse. While these types of injuries may not always be contributed to abuse, the potential exists that the injury or strangulation occurred because restraints were used improperly. When restraint injuries or strangulation occur due to abuse within an institution such as a nursing home, these injuries need to be reported immediately. Corrective action should be taken as quickly as possible, and the family of the victim may wish to consult with an attorney for legal advice and guidance. In order to ensure the safety of the family's loved one and others within the nursing home facility, abuse should not be overlooked.

Nursing home staff may use restraints in order to prevent nursing home patients from injuring themselves or others. There are two basic types of restraints that may be utilized: physical restraints or medications. Restraint injuries occur when excessive force is used in applying physical restraints. These types of injuries may include broken bones, head injuries, or internal bleeding. In some cases, the improper or excessive use of restraints can be fatal. According to federal regulations, restraints may only be used to ensure the physical safety of the elderly individual or those around them. Additionally, the use of restraints may only be used under the written order of a physician. The individual's physician will specify the circumstances under which the restraint may be used, the duration of restraint, and the type of restraint.

If nursing home staff are not properly trained or fail to adequately supervise elderly patients that are being restrained, the use of restraints can sometimes be fatal. The improper use of restraints can result in strangulation. In fact, many may be surprised to learn that alarming number of elderly individuals that die each year as a result of restraint strangulation. The improper use of restraints, whether or not it results in strangulation, is a direct violation of federal regulation and is considered nursing home abuse. Family members of nursing home patients that have been subjected to improper physical restraints or that have suffered strangulation will require the legal assistance of a skilled and capable attorney.