Nursing Home Slip and Fall Accidents

Turn to Our Lawyers in The Villages After a Nursing Home Slip and Fall 

Like most other injuries sustained in nursing homes, fractures and other injuries from falls can -- and should -- be avoided. Senior residents and their loved ones pay to receive the care and support they need to live fulfilling lives, and they rely on staff members’ training and professionalism to provide safety from potentially harmful situations.

Yet, falls in nursing homes are common. Falls are a leading cause of traumatic injuries in nursing homes, often resulting in painful and debilitating injuries with long-term effects and complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among seniors, one out of every five falls causes a fracture or other serious injury.

Falls in nursing homes are also expensive. The CDC’s data shows that:

• Fall-related injuries are among the 20 most-expensive medical conditions.
• The average cost of hospital treatment for a fall-related injury is $30,000.
• The costs of treating fall-related injuries increase with age.
• Among seniors in particular, the risk of infections and other complications can significantly increase the physical, financial; and emotional costs associated with fall-related injuries.

Legal Representation for Injured Seniors and Their Loved Ones

For many seniors and families with loved ones living in nursing homes, the costs of a fall can be too much to bear. With medical costs constantly on the rise, treatment and rehabilitation expenses can easily exceed what seniors and families have budgeted for medical costs in retirement. But, if you or your loved one fell due to inadequate nursing home care, you should not have to pay. Florida law states that nursing homes can be held financially accountable for their mistakes, and our legal team can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

The following are all common examples of nursing home negligence for which compensation may be available:

• Failure to accompany nursing home residents who need assistance
• Failure to assist residents who need help with hygiene or using the restroom
• Failure to provide walkers, wheelchairs; and other assistive equipment
• Leaving residents isolated and unattended
• Missing or faulty handrails
• Slip and trip hazards in residents’ rooms and in common areas

Heightened Risk Factors for Nursing Home Falls

While anyone, regardless of age, can suffer serious injuries in a fall, there are a number of risk factors that can increase senior nursing home residents’ risks of falling. Staff and administrators should be aware of these risks, and they should take appropriate measures to ensure that high-risk residents have the support and resources they need to stay safe:

• Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
• Impaired vision
• Musculoskeletal weakness or pain
• Use of medications with side effects that can impair mobility
• Vitamin D deficiency

The Villages Nursing Home Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help – Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one sustained a bone fracture or other serious injury in a nursing home fall, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation about your legal rights. With offices in The Villages, we represent seniors living in nursing homes throughout Central Florida, and attorney Tim Babiarz will gladly come to you. To schedule an appointment at your convenience, please call (352) 205-7599 or contact our firm online today.