Preventable Falls at Nursing Homes

Preventable Falls at Nursing Homes

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is never an easy choice, but you make this decision in hopes of giving your loved one the best care available. However, when a family member suffers an injury in a senior care facility, this hope is shattered. Sadly, this happens to far too many families in this country. Statistics show that seniors get injured or killed in preventable accidents like falls every day in nursing homes around the country.

Finding out that your loved one has been injured or killed because of a preventable fall in a nursing home that was meant to provide them with excellent care is devastating. If you find yourself facing this tragic situation, the compassionate, experienced nursing home attorneys at The Collins Law Firm can help you get justice and ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable.

Why do Falls Happen at Nursing Homes?

There are many reasons that residents at nursing homes suffer a fall. Sometimes it truly is an accident, but most of the time these falls are preventable. Below are some common causes of avoidable falls:

• Broken or unstable furniture
• Improper clothing
• Improper footwear
• Medications that affect the central nervous system
• Messy living spaces or common areas
• Personal items being difficult to reach
• Poorly lit areas
• The nursing homes failure to provide proper assistance
• Uneven floors
• Wet floors
• Wheelchairs or walkers that are not properly maintained

If a nursing home is run properly, with the safety of the residents as their top priority, these hazardous conditions will be eliminated. Unfortunately, this does not happen in poorly run or understaffed facilities, and, as a result, falls in nursing homes are still a very common problem.

Falls in Nursing Homes Are a Serious Issue

Shockingly, the rate of falls in nursing homes is double the rate of falls for people of the same age living outside of nursing homes. The following statistics from the CDC show that nursing home falls are a serious problem:

• Each year a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100-200 falls.
• About 1800 nursing home residents die from fall-related injuries every year.
• Between half and three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year.
• Residents who do fall, often do so more than once, on average 2.6 times a year.
• 10%-20% of nursing home falls cause serious injuries such as bone fractures.

With statistics like these, it is imperative that nursing homes be held accountable. At The Collins Law Firm, that is what we do. Our Naperville nursing home attorneys uncover the facts to determine if your loved one’s fall was the result of negligence on the part of the facility entrusted with his or her care. If our investigation finds that the nursing home was responsible, we turn to the law to get justice for you and your loved one.

Common Injuries from Nursing Home Falls

Many different types of injuries can be sustained after a fall, some of which are quite severe. Below are the different types of injuries that are common after a fall:

• Bruises
• Lacerations
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Death

Unfortunately, being seriously injured in a fall can also result in other consequences beyond just the physical injury. Disability, depression, and overall reduced quality of life are extremely common after a fall. This is why it is so important to be aware of the conditions that can increase the chances of a fall occurring at a nursing home.

Call our Nursing Home Attorneys if Your Loved One Suffers a Fall

If your loved one has suffered a fall in a nursing home, or you suspect the nursing home is putting them at risk of suffering a fall, find a new facility for them as soon as possible. If your family member has been seriously injured in a fall, the next thing you should do is contact our experienced nursing home lawyers. At The Collins Law Firm, our team of dedicated attorneys has handled many nursing home neglect and abuse cases, securing justice for the victims and their families. Our lawyers will be by your side every step of the way to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call us at (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a free evaluation of your nursing home claim.