According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, one out of every four seniors suffer a fall-related injury. If your loved one fell in their nursing home and suffered serious injuries, you have legal options.
A Philadelphia falls lawyer can offer legal aid by reviewing how various federal and state laws apply to your case. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we understand how traumatic a fall-related injury is. All nursing homes have an obligation to provide safe living conditions for each of their residents, especially those who struggle with mobility.
To begin the financial recovery process, call us at (800) 842-6336.
Insight into Nursing Home Falls
The Nursing Home Reform Act outlines the rights and entitlements of nursing home care residents. Among those rights, nursing home residents have the right to live in a facility that is free of potential hazards. These facilities must also assist residents and tend to their needs. If a facility’s care staff neglects their duties, residents may suffer serious injuries due to falls.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reports that falls happen frequently in nursing homes. The organization notes that of the 1.6 million people who live in nursing homes, about half fall annually. Such accidents may happen because of exposure to certain hazards.
Some residents in nursing homes may have underlying health conditions and need assistance moving around. When an elderly resident does not have access to the help they need, they may fall and suffer serious injuries.
There are several instances where a nursing home may be liable for a fall accident, including:
- Leaving residents to walk on slippery or wet floors
- Failing to install firm handrails along ramps and walkways
- Failing to secure medical or electrical cords
- Leaving scattered objects on the ground
- Failing to offer wheelchairs, walkers, and canes to residents
- Failing to assist residents in moving around
- Lacking proper lighting in common areas
- Lacking appropriate care plans for residents, which may prevent fall injuries
Many health conditions can increase a resident’s risk of falling in a nursing home. A Philadelphia falls lawyer can examine the evidence in your case to determine whether you have the basis for a claim or lawsuit. If they determine that your loved one’s fall happened due to negligence, you may have financial recovery options.
Common Nursing Home Fall Injuries
Older adults in a nursing home may suffer serious injuries if they do not receive proper care. Employees should constantly monitor all residents to minimize the likelihood of an accident.
Examples of fall injuries in a nursing home include:
- Fractured arms, wrists, and hips
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and lacerations
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Sprains and strains
- Brain injuries and head trauma
Some seniors do not survive their injuries following a fall. If you lost an elderly parent or spouse due to the negligence of a care facility, you may have the basis of a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more.
For a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia Falls Lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (800) 794-0444
Proving Liability for Your Nursing Home Fall Case
Most falls are preventable. After learning about the details of your situation, your Philadelphia falls lawyer will determine which party (or parties) is responsible for your loved one’s accident and injuries.
In your situation, you could have a case against the nursing home’s administration. In this case, you would need to prove that the nursing home’s administration knew about potential hazards in their nursing home, but failed to do anything about it. You could also hold a negligent caretaker responsible for their actions if they failed to prevent your loved one’s accident.
The grounds you can use to hold another party responsible for your loved one’s injuries include:
- Failing to create a personalized care plan based on your loved one’s needs and health conditions
- Failing to regularly examine and update their healthcare plan
- Failing to follow the nursing home’s established protocol
- Using improper care techniques when handling residents
- Hiring unqualified staff members or failing to offer proper training
- Failing to identify and remedy potential hazards within the facility
You can get a free case evaluation when you contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
Philadelphia Philadelphia Falls Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Consider Taking Prompt Legal Action
Falls in nursing homes can cause long-term consequences for victims and their families. If your loved one fell in a nursing home and suffered serious injuries, you should consider taking immediate legal action. There are two reasons for this. First, some institutions may try to hide evidence and deny liability. Over time, surveillance footage may get erased, or witnesses’ accounts may become less compelling.
Secondly, you have two years under 42 Pa. C.S.A. §5524(2) to file a lawsuit for compensation. Your filing deadline is subject to change based on when you discovered your loved one’s accident. By calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you can learn more about your financial recovery options. You can get legal help at no out-of-pocket cost to you because we work on a contingency-fee-basis. Reach out to our legal team today to learn more.
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Work with a Nursing Home Fall Lawyer from Our Team
One of our goals is to determine the liable parties for your loved one’s fall accident. Our legal team will talk to your loved one, access video surveillance footage, review the nursing home’s care records, and interview witnesses. Because we understand how time-sensitive your nursing home case is, we will initiate legal action as soon as you contact us.
After we gather evidence and determine liability, we will help you seek compensation for your expenses. Dealing with corporate insurance agencies can be challenging––especially if you have never filed a claim before. With Pintas & Mullins Law Firm on your side, you do not have to worry about the obligations that go into building a successful claim or lawsuit.
Begin a Free Consultation with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
A Philadelphia falls lawyer can offer legal aid during this challenging time. Do not let your loved one suffer because of another party’s negligent actions. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 for a free case evaluation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form