Wet Floors Lead to Dangerous Nursing Home Falls

 Posted on November 22, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse

Falls are a significant concern for older individuals, especially those living in nursing home facilities. One common reason for these falls is wet floors within the facility. If you have a loved one living in a nursing home who was recently injured in a slip and fall type incident, you should consider consulting with a lawyer in Illinois. While a wet floor slip-and-fall may sound like a harmless accident, it may be a sign of neglectful conduct on the part of employees of the nursing home. A nursing home with a neglectful staff often leads to preventable injuries suffered by those who, when injured, require a longer recovery period. 

Negligence and Liability

When a nursing home fails to address wet floors promptly or neglects to implement proper safety measures, it may be held liable for any resulting injuries. To establish negligence, the injured party must demonstrate these elements, including:

• The nursing home was responsible for maintaining safe premises and preventing hazards, such as wet floors. 
• The nursing home failed to fulfill its duty by allowing wet floors to persist or by not implementing appropriate safety measures. 
• The wet floors at the nursing home directly caused or significantly contributed to the resident’s fall and injuries. 
• The resident suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm because of slipping and falling on the wet floor. 

Necessary Safety Measures at Nursing Homes Help Prevent Falls

Nursing homes should take proactive steps to prevent falls caused by wet floors. Some essential safety measures include:

• Regular inspections – Nursing home staff should conduct frequent inspections to promptly identify and address any wet or slippery areas. 
• Proper signage – Clear and visible signs warning of wet floors should be placed in areas where cleaning or spills have occurred. 
• Timely clean-up – Staff should respond quickly to spills or wet areas. Prompt clean-up can prevent falls. 
• Non-slipping flooring – Installing non-slip flooring in high-risk areas, like bathrooms and common areas, can significantly reduce the risk of falls.

These examples are how nursing homes are supposed to operate. Many times, in facilities where residents are slipping and falling on wet floors, safety measures may not be taking place as they should. This is why when a slip and fall event does take place at a nursing home, the situation must be examined carefully, as it may be a sign of an underlying issue. 

Contact a Chicago, IL Nursing Home Injury Attorney

If your loved one has slipped and fallen in a nursing home, contact the distinguished Cook County, IL nursing home injury lawyers with Schwartz Injury Law. Call 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.