Although falls are a common cause of injury and death in older people, the rate of fall injuries is much higher in those of the same age who are living nursing homes. One of the important reasons that loved one move to nursing homes is so that they can get the 24hour care and supervision required to prevent falls. If someone you love has been injured in a nursing home fall please talk to an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
Nursing Home Negligence Resulting in Falls
For the elderly, a fall can be fatal or cause permanently debilitating injuries that rob them of their quality of life. They may suffer brain injuries, fractures which never fully heal, and other injuries that lead to immobility, bedsores, and a rapid decline in their overall health.
Nursing homes have a duty to provide proper care and supervision. Nursing home falls are almost always the result of some form of negligence. About 35% of falls in nursing home residents occur in residents who are unable to walk.
Examples of nursing home negligence that can lead to falls include:
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Medication error
- Poor foot care
- Shoes which do not fit properly
- Weakness or lack of coordination contributed to by use of physical or chemical restraints
- Failure to properly assess resident for fall risk, and respond appropriately
- Inadequate supervision
- Failure to respond to resident’s call for help or assistance in a timely fashion
- Failure to assist a resident with transferring, such as from the bed to a chair
- Failure to assist with walking
- Staff member dropping resident due to lack of strength, training, or skill
- Improperly fitted wheelchairs
- Improper bed height
- Improper toilet seat height
- Lack of handrails and grab bars
- Wet or slippery floors
- Inadequate lighting
- Clutter and obstacles in walkways
- Failure to prevent violence between residents
- Physical abuse in the form of tripping
- Abusive staff member who intentionally allows resident to fall
If your loved one was seriously injured in a nursing home fall, please get help right away. Search our directory to find an experienced injury lawyer in your state.
