Falls
Falling is sometimes an unavoidable occurrence among the elderly. But in a nursing home or senior care facility, it is usually avoidable and preventable. A well-run, effective nursing home should be able to prevent the majority of falls with proper attention and care. If your loved one has experienced a fall while in the care of a nursing home, it may be due to negligence.
Types of Nursing Home Falls
There are a few different types of falls that can occur in a nursing home environment, nearly all of which are considered the result of negligence.
Unattended Falls
These falls occur when a caregiver is not around to assist a patient with standing and moving around.
Attended Falls
Attended falls happen when the staff is around, but for some reason are unable to prevent the fall. This could be because of hazards in the facility such as faulty equipment or wet floors, poor staff training, improper transfer out of or into a bed, unlocked wheelchair wheels, over-medicating, and more.
Hoyer Lift Falls
A Hoyer lift is a patient-lift device that helps move people to and from one area to another using a sling. Nursing home negligence often occurs with Hoyer lifts because of improper training of the equipment.
Each type of fall is preventable when proper care is being provided by the nursing home staff. In the United States, nursing homes are required to screen every patient in their home and assess them for their fall-risk. However, these assessments are not always properly done and can lead to dangerous consequences if a fall occurs.
Common Fall Injuries
It was reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that in 2017 there were over 37,000 fatal injuries resulting from falls throughout the United States. In the same year, there were over 8.6 million non-fatal injuries resulting from fall injuries. While anyone can be injured as a result of falling, elderly individuals are especially susceptible to serious fall injuries.
Some of the most common fall injuries affecting elderly individuals include:
Head and brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Back injuries
Serious cuts and scrapes
Internal organ damage
Without proper treatment, fall injuries can also lead to other complications, such as infection. Elderly fall victims may even contract illnesses, such as pneumonia, while in the hospital for their injuries.
Fight Back Against Avoidable Accidents
If you notice bruises, cuts, or abrasions on a loved one, or that they are developing a fear of getting up and moving around, falling may be the issue. If your loved one has memory issues, physical limitations, or is otherwise at risk of suffering from a fall, it is critically important that they receive proper care.
Nursing home negligence often occurs with some of the most vulnerable seniors. Reach out to our nursing home fall attorneys if you or your loved one sustained injuries while in the care of a nursing home or long-term assisted living facility. We are prepared to put our extensive experience on your side and fight for the justice and recovery you and your family deserve.