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Bed Rail Entrapment

Bed rails are intended to protect individuals and are commonly used in nursing home facilities. However, if not used properly, they can have dangerous consequences, leading to injury and death.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that there have been 284 entrapment deaths due to adult portable bed rails between January 2003 and December 2021. [1] If you or your loved one have been the victim of entrapment, Nursing Home Law Center can help you get justice.

What is Bed Rail Entrapment?

Bed rails are installed on beds for various reasons. They help keep patients from falling out of bed, allow them to get in and out of bed, and provide a sense of familiarity with the right side of the bed.

However, individuals can become trapped in them, causing more harm than good. They can get stuck between the bed rails, mattress, and bed frame. Residents may be unable to move, which leads to severe consequences.

Vulnerable Populations

Bed rail entrapment mainly impacts vulnerable populations, including patients at nursing homes.

Elderly: People ages 65 and older often need additional care in their daily lives.
Disabled: Individuals with special needs may use bed rails to keep them safe.
Limited Mobility: Bed rails can help those with limited mobility move around and get out of bed.
Cognitive Impairments: Those with cognitive impairments may need bed rails to ensure they don’t injure themselves.

Bed rails are intended to help vulnerable populations but carry an increased risk of entrapment, especially if they are not correctly installed.

Severity of Injuries

Bed rail products can lead to serious injury, including:

Suffocation: Patients’ heads can get pinned between the bed rails, causing a lack of airflow.
Strangulation: Patients can get tangled in a bed rail or between the beds, restricting airflow.
Fractures: Arms, legs, fingers, heads, and more can get trapped in bed assist bars causing fractures and broken bones.
Internal Injuries: Depending on how you are entrapped by the bed rail, you may face internal bleeding, bruising, strains, sprains, and other internal injuries.
Death: Entrapment deaths are not uncommon with adult portable bed rails.

You have rights if you or a loved one have faced any of these issues. Nursing Home Law Center can help you navigate your legal options.

patients injured or killed due to bed rail injury

Common Causes of Bed Rail Entrapment

Adult portable bed rails can be an entrapment hazard, and the risk of entrapment can increase exponentially, depending on the circumstances. Common causes of entrapment include the following.

Improper Installation

A person can easily get stuck if the bed rail is not installed correctly. Failure to properly follow instructions commonly results in:

Incorrect Spacing: Failure to place the parts in the correct location can lead to gaps that cause entrapment.
Loose Parts: A person could either make more space if the parts are loose or get pinched by the bed rail.
Missing Parts: Not using all the parts can be an entrapment hazard because it leaves spaces for a person to fit into.

Even if bed rails are correctly installed, they can still pose a risk for serious injury.

Inadequate Design

Bed rails that were not adequately designed can lead to entrapment deaths. These devices have gaps or openings that create entrapment zones where people can get stuck.

An excellent example of this is Medline. Medline sold two models of bed assist bar adult portable bed rails, which were recalled because they were improperly designed.

There were two reports of entrapment deaths associated with this bed rail. The model numbers were MDS6800BA or MDS6800BAH, and the two models were identical, outside the quantity you purchased.

They were sold in the United States and Canada, and the company voluntarily recalled them because of the risk of entrapment. [2]

Lack of Supervision

Even if the bed rails are correctly used, they can still pose a risk to patients. If nursing homes or other facilities are not monitoring residents who are at risk, they may be injured or die.

Failure to Assess Risk

Nursing homes and care professionals should assess the risk of using bed rails based on the person’s additional needs. Someone could get seriously hurt if they do not correctly identify individuals who require additional safety measures.

Types of Bed Rails

There are different types of bed rails, and they are used based on a person’s individual needs.

Full-length Side Rails: They run the entire length of the bed. They can be on both sides, and they can move down to help people get in and out of bed.
Half-length Side Rails: They cover only a portion of the bed. For example, it may only extend to the patient’s hip and leave their legs uncovered by the bed rails.
Split-side Rails: They divide into sections for easier access, leaving portions of the bed uncovered by the bed rails.
Aftermarket Bed Rails: These bed rails are added to existing beds, often without proper installation.

All of these bed rails can pose a severe entrapment hazard that can lead to death.

Legal Rights of Victims and Their Families

If you or your loved one is a victim of entrapment by bed rails, you have rights. You can receive compensation to help recover the cost of medical treatment and other pain and suffering. Here are some of your legal rights.

Product Liability Claims

You can pursue product liability claims against the company that created the bed rails.

Design Defects: You can hold manufacturers accountable for unsafe bed rail designs. There is no truly safe way to install the bed rails because there are defects in the design to begin with
Manufacturing Defects: You can pursue claims for faulty production or assembly. The bed rail came with the defects straight from the box.
Failure to Warn: You can hold companies liable for inadequate warnings about the bed rails’ entrapment risks. There were no or limited disclaimers in place to warn others.

You can recover damages from the third party for entrapment injuries or death.

Negligence Claims

Patients have a reasonable expectation of care, and if it is not met, you can pursue negligence claims.

Nursing Home or Hospital Negligence: You can hold institutions liable for failure to provide a safe environment or adequate supervision. You need to prove their behaviors led to the injury or death.
Caregiver Negligence: Caregivers can be found negligent for an improper use of bed rails or a failure to monitor patients. To be found negligent, you need to prove their actions caused the harm that was endured.

While bed rails pose a severe entrapment hazard, they can be adequately avoided. If you sustain any personal harm, you can pursue negligence claims.

Compensation for Injuries and Losses

There are different types of compensation that you can recover for injuries and losses due to bed rails.

Medical Expenses: This includes past, current, and future medical costs related to the entrapment, like doctor’s bills, ambulance rides, hospital stays, physical therapy, and more.
Pain and Suffering: You can be compensated for the physical and emotional pain that was endured as a result of the bed rail injury.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: A bed rail injury can diminish the quality of life, and you can recover damages for that.
Wrongful Death: If there is a fatal entrapment that could have been prevented, families can recover compensation from various parties.

Victims can get compensated for the actual and intangible effects of bed rail damages after they occur.

Taking Action After a Bed Rail Entrapment Incident

To build a case, it’s best to take immediate and swift action after a bed rail incident. Here are the steps you should take.

Seek Medical Attention

First and foremost, you need to immediately address any injury you have sustained due to the bed rail. Depending on the severity, you may need to go to the doctor or the hospital for treatment.

Getting medical attention helps provide a paper trail. It gives you documentation of the incident, which is helpful if you pursue legal action.

Report the Incident

You must report the incident once you are appropriately taken care of. If it happened at a nursing home, notify the facility. Make sure that you get a copy of the incident report. You should also report it to a healthcare provider.

You can also report nursing home abuse or negligence locally by contacting your local Ombudsman, your state’s public health office, or adult protective services.

If you are in immediate danger, you can call the police. Reporting the incident to the proper authorities can make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Preserve Evidence

You must do what you can to preserve evidence of the bed rail injury.

Photos: Take photos of any physical harm you can see on your body.
Medical Records: Secure medical records that detail the harm.
Witness Statements: Get witness statements of anyone who saw the harm take place, either in the moment or the aftermath.
Report Copies: Get copies of all reports made to authorities.

The more evidence that you can get, the better. It helps support your claims that an injury took place.

Consult an Attorney

Once you are feeling better, consult an attorney. An experienced lawyer will ensure you understand your legal rights. They can help review the details of your case, investigate your claim, and provide legal representation in a court of law.

Nursing Home Law Center will be your advocate throughout the legal process. We can help you seek justice and compensation for the hazards you faced due to bed assist bars.

Preventing Bed Rail Entrapment

While there are hazards, bed rails can be beneficial for many people. If you are in a facility that uses them, there are steps that you can take to prevent the risk of entrapment by bed rails.

Bed Rail Safety Guidelines

As you are choosing the right bed rails for you or your loved ones, make sure that you follow bed rail safety guidelines.

The FDA offers its suggestions to protect consumer safety while using bed rails.

Make Sure You’re a Candidate. Suppose you suffer from confusion, restlessness, lack of muscle control, Alzheimer’s, dementia, balance disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or low blood pressure. In that case, you have a higher risk of getting entrapped in bed rails.
Pick the Correct Type. Different bed rails are available, so make sure you select the right type based on your needs. Consult a medical professional to learn which type will be best for you.
Confirm Compatibility. Not all bed rails are compatible with all beds, so make sure yours fits your bed.
Verify Compliance. Confirm that your bed rails comply with safety standards and avoid recalled bed rails. Additionally, make sure that you are using the right rails based on the age, size, and weight of the person using the rails.
Install Correctly. Failure to properly install bed rails significantly increases the risk of entrapment deaths. Use the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a proper fit, and make sure there is a safety strap or bed rail retention system in place as a safety measure. [3]

If you choose to use bed rails, ensure it is done safely.

Alternatives to Bed Rails

Explore alternatives to bed rails. Safer alternatives are on the market that can help address the same concerns but have fewer risks.

Bed Alarms: Bed alarms can notify others when someone gets out of bed. They are weight-sensitive and can make a loud noise. Be mindful that this may cause confusion and startle people, increasing the risk of falling.
Low Beds or Adjustable Beds: Using beds that are lower to the ground reduces the distance to the ground if a person falls out of bed. They are often easier for patients to get in and out of.
Floor Mats: Floor mats can provide cushioning should a patient fall out of bed. These are small raised mats, and the change in the surface could pose additional fall risks for those with mobility issues.
Bed Trapezes: These handlebars can help people leverage themselves in and out of bed. They are similar to bed rails, but they are free-standing. If they are not appropriately installed, bed trapezes could cause fall risks.

These alternatives to bed rails may provide similar peace of mind for those who are considering using bed rails. While they do not carry the same risk of entrapment, they have their own concerns, so you will want to consult with a medical professional to understand your options.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Perform routine inspections and maintenance to ensure the bed, mattress, and rails are in working order. You want to look out for:

Gaps: Body parts could get stuck in the areas between the mattress and rails.
Loose Fittings or Improper Installations: This could cause the bed rails to fail when needed, leading to gaps.
Damage: Issues with the bed rails can cause harm or lead to entrapment issues.

Ultimately, there should be no gaps wide enough for a head or body to fit in, and regular inspections and maintenance can help prevent accidents.

Contact a Bed Rail Entrapment Lawyer

Entrapment deaths and injuries are avoidable, and if you or a loved one have suffered, you have options. Nursing Home Law Center will be your voice in the legal system, helping explain your options to get you the best compensation.

Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (800) 926-7565 or filling out the form on our website. You deserve to receive justice for the harm that you endured as a result of bed rails. Reach out today to get started!

References: [1] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, [2] NPR, [3] FDA

Bed Rails Entrapment Injuries FAQs

What Are Alternatives to Bedrails?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends other bed rail alternatives, including lowering the bed frame, adding foam bumpers, or rolling guards. Some nursing facilities use concave mattresses to reduce entrapment and the potential of a nursing home resident or patient rolling off the hospital bed.

Nursing facilities often violate federal and state laws by using bed frame side rails instead of monitoring or supervising residents. Bed railing poses a high entrapment risk of the patient falling or becoming entangled and can lead to personal injury.

What Are Bed Rail Entrapment Accidents?

Bed rail entrapment occurs with older, frail, and infirm adults with limited mobility when the nursing home installs improperly fitted bed rails or grab bars. The victim's chest, head or neck can quickly become trapped between the bed frame and the side rail or rail supports when there are large openings or gaps.

Residents can also suffer bed entrapment:

Between the rail supports or the bars of the split-side rails Between the separate side rails Locked between the mattress and the rail on the side Stuck between the footboard, the side rail, or the head rail Between the end of the rail and the side edge of the headboard When bed rails are used with an incorrect mattress When bed rails are used with the wrong bed

When a nursing home resident is commonly harmed from bedrail entrapment, it can cause -

Delirium
Agitation
Uncontrolled body movement
Acute urinary retention
Pain
Confusion
Fecal impaction

When Should Bed Rails Be Used?

Nursing homes must only use bed rails when:

Following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines for their patients, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Residents with severe medical and mental conditions, including incontinence, sleeping issues, memory problems, uncontrolled body movement, pain, and with assisted walking, undergo continuous assessments by doctors and nursing staff to ensure their safety with bed rails.
The nursing facility ensures the resident is an appropriate candidate for bed rails.

Bedrails should never be a substitute for the required regular monitoring of residents, especially for individuals with a high risk of falls. A nursing home facility failing to do so would be liable for nursing home negligence.

Why Are Bed Rails Dangerous in Nursing Homes?

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), installed bed railings can be extremely dangerous to nursing home residents. The staff and doctors must follow established safety guidelines and regulations in treating elderly residents in nursing facilities and hospitals. The FDA stated that over 4000 facility residents annually receive treatment and local emergency rooms for bed rail-related trauma. The FDA also revealed that half of all reports on bed railing accidents involve wrongful death. Many of these victims were found lodged between the bed frame and the railing resulting in their death.

How Do You Prevent Bed-Railing Trauma?

If you visit your loved one or family member in a nursing home, check the following to prevent bed entrapment and ensure bed safety:

Staff have professionally installed the bed railing, ensuring hospital bed safety
The bed mattresses can be pushed as far away from the rails as possible to see if you can stick at least four fingers between the mattress and rails
Staff regularly inspect bed frames, mattresses, and accessories to ensure the correct functioning of equipment.
One or more sections of the side rail, such as the foot rail can be lowered
Proper-size mattresses or mattresses with raised foam edges on beds are used to prevent residents from being trapped between the mattress and rail.
Gaps between the solid or air mattress and side rails are reduced
Bed frames and bed rails are fitted with the correct hospital bed. Many side rails are installed, disassembled, and reassembled in nursing facilities, leading to the wrong mattress on the wrong bed

The Hospital Bed Safety Workshop – or HBSW – has developed mitigation guidelines and assessment guidance to help long-term care facilities reduce entrapment risks in existing hospital bed systems or legacy beds.

The bed entrapment assessment guidelines are intended to be used along with clinical resident assessments and focus on modifying current beds to prevent residents and elderly patients from self-harm.

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