Falls are one of the most frequent causes of broken bones among the elderly. Broken bones and fractures in the elderly are particularly serious as they can lead to dangerous health conditions, including pneumonia, loss of appetite, bed sores and infections. Studies have shown that 25% of the elderly who suffer a hip fracture will die within six months of the injury. If a resident is at risk for falls, the nursing home is required to provide safety devices and care plans to prevent falls from occurring. Nursing homes can be liable for failing to take these precautions while a resident is under their care. If your family member has been injured or has died from injuries sustained from falling at a nursing home, contact Terry Law Firm for a free consultation.

WHAT SHOULD NURSING HOMES DO TO PREVENT RESIDENTS FROM FALLING?

Nursing homes have many practices that they can initiate to prevent residents from falling. One of the most basic and most important options available is consistent monitoring and regular supervision. Other measures that can be taken to prevent unnecessary falls include:

• Use of canes, walkers, wheelchairs and lap buddies
• Use of personal alarms
• Placing beds closer to the floor with mats on the ground to protect a resident should they fall out of bed
• Remove tripping hazards such as rugs and carpeting
• Installation of grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on stairs

WHAT IF A RESIDENT FALLS?

Residents who fall must be immediately evaluated by the nursing home staff to determine the reason for the fall and the nature of the resident's injuries. Most importantly, the resident's physician must be called right away. In the case of a serious injury, the resident should be immediately sent to a hospital. Medical staff should be especially concerned if the resident suffers from loss of consciousness, fever or abnormal blood pressure and should closely monitor the resident to ensure these symptoms aren't exacerbated. If a resident has fallen, their care plan must address this concern and identify steps that will be taken to improve the resident's safety in the future.

HOW WE CAN HELP IF YOUR LOVED ONE HAS BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT OF A FALL AT A NURSING HOME

A nursing home or assisted living residence may be found liable for failing to prevent resident falls. Personal injury cases and wrongful death claims hold nursing homes accountable, help protect other residents from similar harm, and can recover money damages for injured persons and their families.

We have successfully held nursing homes accountable for allowing nursing home residents to become injured in unnecessary falls. If your loved on or family member has been injured as a result of falling while under the care of a nursing home, contact the Terry Law Firm to discuss their injuries and legal rights. We work with lawyers throughout the country on cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. Some states have very short deadlines in which to act, so it is imperative that you act right away. Contact us immediately online or call us at 1-888-317-2525 for a free consultation.