According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-fourth of people aged 65 and older suffer at least one fall per year. Roughly 3 million elderly people receive treatment in a hospital emergency room for a fall injury annually.
Nursing home residents are also susceptible to potential falls and their resulting injuries.
If you believe that neglect or abuse caused a fall injury to your loved one, you may want to consider hiring a nursing home lawyer, such as Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We know how to defend the rights of injured nursing home residents and fight for a fair settlement on their behalf. Call us today at (800) 201-3999 for a free consultation.
Identifying Fall Risks
It is important for nursing home administration and staff to maintain the nursing home facility in a proper manner to reduce the possibility of falls. Many different situations can lead to a potential fall, including:
- Medications that cause leg weakness.
- Medications that cause dizziness or sleepiness.
- Problems with vision.
- Poorly fitting shoes.
- Weakness in the hips and legs.
- Problems with balance.
- Socks without a non-slip coating on the bottom.
- Broken stair steps.
- Cracked flooring.
- Loose or torn carpeting.
- Wet floors.
- Throw rugs sliding on the floor.
- Random items left in walkways.
- Improperly installed handrails.
Many of these items are preventable with proper training and attention to detail at the nursing home. Staff members should have the necessary training to spot dangerous situations and items on the property that may represent a fall risk.
Screening for Fall Risk
According to the National Council On Aging (NCOA), having a screening process in place that assesses a resident for their fall risk can lead to a safer environment. Through the screening, the nursing home staff understands what type of care and attention to provide. Without a proper screening assessment, a resident may not receive the necessary level of fall risk protection.
If you believe the nursing home staff should have given greater attention to the potential fall risk of your loved one, it may be time to seek out the services of a nursing home slip and fall lawyer.
Compensation for Fall Injuries
After an injury from a fall, the victim may be able to receive financial awards for pain and suffering. Some of the items for which you can receive a settlement include:
- Reimbursement for doctor appointments.
- Reimbursement for costs of medication or therapy equipment.
- Reimbursement for physical therapy.
- Damages for long-term pain.
- Damages for suffering and loss of quality of life.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we know how to investigate a nursing home after an injury from a fall. Call us today at (800) 201-3999. We are ready to start working on your behalf.
Injuries from Falls
If a nursing home resident suffers a fall, the number and severity of potential injuries can be significant. The effects of some injuries will last longer than others and may require a greater level of medical care.
Potential injuries for an elderly person after a fall include:
- Lower body injuries, including torn ligaments and soft tissue damage.
- Back injuries.
- Head injuries.
- Hip fractures.
- Leg fractures.
- Wrist fractures.
- Arm fractures.
Some of these injuries can result in extremely serious health problems for elderly people. The Endocrine Society performed a study showing that broken bones among older people increase the risk of death for up to 10 years, and that those who have suffered a hip fracture had a higher risk than someone without a hip fracture.
Certain fractures may require surgery to heal. Surgeries lead to additional health risks, including the possibility of infections or other complications.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Who is to Blame for the Fall?
One of the primary reasons the elderly and their family choose to move from a personal residence to a nursing home is because of the risk of falling. The elderly person may not feel comfortable trying to stand up and move around without the help of nurses and other trained personnel.
Following the Care Plan
The staff should create a care plan when a resident moves into the nursing home. This plan should include information about the level of risk the resident has of falling. Staff may be liable for negligence if a fall occurs due to the lack of following the care plan.
Not every fall at a nursing home is the fault of staff. Sometimes accidents happen. However, if it is clear that someone’s actions or inactions at the nursing home increased the risk of a fall or led directly to the fall, a personal injury lawsuit is an appropriate action.
Hold the Nursing Home Responsible
When the negligence of staff at the nursing home results in a slip and fall for your loved one, it is important for the nursing home to fix the problem. Sometimes, a nursing home is reluctant to undertake investigations or to make changes without the intervention of a third party.
When you hire Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you will receive a team of lawyers who know how to fight on behalf of a slip and fall victim. We will work tirelessly to present the facts in your case in a manner that gives you the best chance at a satisfactory outcome.
We will not take payment until we have reached a settlement. Call us today at (800) 201-3999 to have any questions answered.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form