What Kinds of Injuries Are Caused by Nursing Home Falls?

 Posted on June 15, 2021 in Nursing Home Falls

Fall injuries are a serious problem for older Americans, and in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the number of fatal fall injuries among the elderly has steadily increased in recent years. While it is true that people over the age of 65 typically experience a decline in strength, balance, coordination, and other physical abilities, this does not mean that older people are to blame for their own injuries. In nursing homes, for example, falls are often the result of neglect on the part of facility staff. In these cases, you or your loved one may be entitled to compensation.

Common Injuries From Nursing Home Falls

According to the CDC, about 20 percent of falls result in serious injuries. The most common include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) - When an older person falls and their head strikes the ground or another hard surface, they may suffer a concussion or contusion, or even a skull fracture and bleeding in the brain. In addition to the immediate risks of these injuries, they can sometimes have long-term effects, including memory loss and other cognitive impairments.
• Broken bones - Hip fractures are the most common among older Americans, with more than 300,000 requiring hospitalization every year. Bones in the arms, wrists, and ankles can also break or fracture in a fall. Among older populations, broken bones can take especially long to heal, and injury victims may suffer from permanent impairment of their mobility.

The mental effects of fall injuries are also noteworthy, as victims may suffer from fear, anxiety, and depression, causing them to withdraw or avoid any kind of physical activity in the future.

Fall Injuries and Nursing Home Neglect

In many cases, the conditions that lead to fall injuries in nursing homes are brought about by neglect or negligence. Some factors that contribute to these injuries including:

• Understaffing, which may leave residents unsupervised and prone to wandering or elopement, or simply left to attempt to walk or get out of bed on their own to attend to their needs
• Physical abuse by nursing home staff or other residents, including pushing and tripping
• Improper bed transfers, which may result in residents being dropped
• Environmental hazards, including wheeled beds or chairs that are unsecured, wet floors, or loose objects in walkways

If you or your loved one has been injured in a fall at a nursing home, evidence of any of these factors can help you recover compensation for your medical care and the other effects of the injuries.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

At Schwartz Injury Law, our Cook County nursing home abuse & neglect lawyers represent victims and their families in cases of nursing home falls and other injuries related to inadequate staffing, unsafe facilities, and physical abuse. We strive to recover fair compensation and hold negligent nursing homes accountable for their actions. Contact us today at 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.

Source:

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