Is a Nursing Home Liable for Fall Injuries Suffered by Residents?

 Posted on November 11, 2021 in Nursing Home Negligence

Many families rely on nursing homes to provide a safe and healthy environment for elderly loved ones who can no longer fully care for themselves. While many nursing homes provide quality care, there are some facilities that do not meet these standards, and residents may suffer harm due to nursing home neglect or abuse. Of the different types of injuries that can affect nursing home patients, falls are among the most common, and in many cases, they are preventable. Family members will want to determine whether a fall injury that affected their loved one was caused by nursing home negligence, and by working with an attorney, they can take action to hold a negligent facility responsible.

Liability for Nursing Home Fall Injuries

Elderly or disabled nursing home residents can suffer multiple types of injuries in falls. These may include broken bones, such as hips or wrists, as well as traumatic brain injuries. Because a person may already be in a vulnerable physical condition, fall injuries can have drastic effects on their long-term health and well-being. A nursing home may be liable for fall injuries that occurred because of negligence, which may include:

• Improper supervision - If a nursing home is understaffed, a resident may not receive assistance when needed. This may cause a person to fall when attempting to get into or out of bed or perform other activities on their own.

• Failure to follow proper procedures - Staff members who are not properly trained may make mistakes when assisting patients, leading to falls when a person is being helped into or out of bed or transferred to a wheelchair. Patients may also suffer fall injuries if a nursing home does not provide the proper protective measures, such as railings on beds.

• Tripping hazards - Obstructions in rooms or walkways of a nursing home may cause residents to trip and fall. These may include electrical cords, torn or wrinkled carpets, or chairs or tables that obstruct a walking path.

• Medication issues - Certain types of drugs can affect a person’s balance, coordination, and ability to move about safely. Fall injuries may occur if medications are administered at the incorrect doses or if staff members do not properly monitor a patient’s reaction to drugs and respond to their needs.

• Malnutrition or dehydration - Neglect of patients by staff members may cause a person to fail to eat the proper foods or drink enough water. These issues can cause a resident to suffer from weakness and disorientation, which may lead to falls.

Contact Our Rolling Meadows Nursing Home Fall Injury Lawyers

If your loved one has been injured due to a fall at a nursing home, Newland & Newland, LLP can investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury and determine whether it occurred due to negligence by a nursing home or its staff. We will help your family take legal action to address the injuries your loved one has suffered. Contact our Schaumburg nursing home negligence attorneys today at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/long-term-care/resource/injuries/fallspx/man1.html

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html