Legal Options When an Elderly Loved One Suffers a Fall

 Posted on April 26,2019 in Nursing Home Negligence

Here in the United States, millions of senior citizens live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Placing your loved one into professional care can be an incredibly difficult decision, and once that decision is made, you are putting your trust and faith into the hands of the facility’s staff. Unfortunately, that trust is not always rewarded. Today, falls are the leading cause of serious injury among elderly Americans. In many instances, falls are caused by the negligence of the nursing home staff. If your loved one suffers an injury, it is time to seek out the assistance of a legal professional.

Alarming Fall Statistics

Every year, more than three million elderly Americans suffer fall injuries that ultimately require emergency department visits. In approximately 20% of all fall incidents, the impact results in significant injury. For senior citizens, the physical ramifications of a fall can be life-changing. More than 300,000 elderly Americans suffer broken hips each year. Upwards of 95% of all broken hips are caused by falls.

Tragically, a fall injury can also cause brain or spinal damage. Falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. After suffering brain trauma, a person can face symptoms ranging from severe headaches to declines in cognitive ability.

The Negligence that Can Lead to a Fall

When a nursing home resident suffers a fall, the accident is oftentimes a result of the negligent actions of a caregiver. While instances of physical abuse leading to a fall are somewhat rare, the staff member is still responsible for the health and wellbeing of your loved one and negligence is a breach of the trust your family has placed into the facility.

If the resident struggles to get out of bed and walk unassisted, a staff member should be on site to help them move. In an assisted living facility, staff members are required to make regular rounds to the resident’s rooms, if the facility is not properly staffed, your loved one may suffer a fall due to the staff’s inability to adhere to their needs.

Additionally, a poorly lit room or wet-floor can be the ultimate catalyst for a fall. All of these instances are examples of negligence that would require a nursing home to provide your family with injury compensation. If your loved one is injured in a fall, it is time to contact an attorney.

Contact a Plainfield Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer

For elderly Americans, a significant fall injury can be absolutely devastating. A fall can lead to serious physical injury ranging from broken bones to brain trauma. In the aftermath of a fall, many older people face issues of self-confidence, anxiety, and social isolation. In addition, the financial ramifications of a fall injury cannot be understated.

Fortunately, a quality attorney can represent you and ensure that your family is not financially impacted by the negligence of a nursing home staff. At Flaherty Law, LLC, we are dedicated to serving our clients to the best of our ability. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Will County personal injury attorney, contact us today at 815-577-7500.

Sources:

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

https://journals.lww.com/nursingmadeincrediblyeasy/Fulltext/2013/03000/How_to_avoid_the_top_seven_nursing_errors.4.aspx