Nursing Home Falls & Fractures

If your loved one experienced a fall or fracture due to neglect, they may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering.

Why Do Nursing Home Falls Happen?

Most nursing home falls could have been prevented with proper care and safety measures. Some common causes of falls include:

• Understaffing: Not enough caregivers to assist residents with mobility.
• Lack of Supervision: Residents left alone in unsafe conditions.
• Unsafe Walking Areas: Wet floors, poor lighting, or cluttered hallways.
• Medication Side Effects: Some medications cause dizziness, drowsiness, or balance issues.
• Improper Use of Equipment: Failure to provide walkers, canes, or wheelchairs when needed.
• Bed & Chair Falls: Residents falling while trying to get in or out of bed or a wheelchair.

Nursing homes must take precautions to prevent these dangerous incidents.

Common Injuries from Nursing Home Falls

Falls in elderly individuals can cause severe and life-changing injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Hip Fractures: One of the most serious fall-related injuries, often requiring surgery.
• Head Trauma & Brain Injuries: Falls can cause concussions, brain bleeds, or permanent damage.
• Broken Bones: Wrists, arms, ankles, and ribs are frequently fractured in falls.
• Internal Bleeding: A fall can lead to dangerous internal injuries that may not be immediately visible.
• Severe Bruising & Lacerations: Impact with hard surfaces can cause painful wounds.

For elderly residents, even minor falls can lead to long-term complications or a decline in overall health.

How Nursing Homes Can Prevent Falls

Falls should not be happening regularly in a properly managed nursing home. Facilities can prevent falls by:

• Providing adequate staffing to assist residents with mobility.
• Conducting fall risk assessments for all residents.
• Using bed alarms and grab bars to prevent falls from beds and chairs.
• Ensuring hallways and common areas are clear of hazards.
• Monitoring medications that cause dizziness or sedation.
• Encouraging regular physical activity to maintain strength and balance.

When a nursing home fails to take these precautions, they may be legally responsible for injuries that occur.

What to Do If Your Loved One Fell in a Nursing Home

If your loved one suffered a fall or fracture in a nursing home, take these steps:

• Request Medical Records: Document the injury and treatment.
• Ask for an Incident Report: The nursing home must record falls.
• Check for Signs of Neglect: Were safety measures in place?
• Report the Incident: File a complaint with the facility and health authorities.
• Consult a Lawyer: A legal expert can help determine if negligence was involved.

Falls should not be ignored. If neglect played a role, you have the right to pursue justice for your loved one.

How a Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Can Help

If your loved one suffered a preventable fall or fracture, you may be able to take legal action. A lawyer can help by:

• Investigating staff negligence and facility conditions.
• Holding the nursing home accountable for unsafe practices.
• Pursuing compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
• Ensuring the facility implements better fall prevention measures.

Taking action not only helps your family but also protects other vulnerable residents.

Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today

Nursing home falls and fractures are often preventable. If your loved one was injured due to neglect, don’t wait. Take action today to protect their rights.

Schedule a Free Consultation