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Falls and Unsafe Conditions in Nursing Homes
At Matzus Law, we understand the devastating impact that nursing home falls can have on elderly residents and their families. A fall in a nursing home can result in severe injuries, long-term health complications, or even loss of life. Families entrust nursing homes to provide a safe environment, but when facilities fail to implement proper safety protocols, residents become vulnerable to dangerous accidents. If your loved one has suffered a fall in a nursing home due to negligence or unsafe conditions, you have the right to seek justice.
Our experienced nursing home injury attorneys in Pittsburgh are dedicated to holding nursing homes accountable for their actions and protecting the rights of vulnerable elderly residents. We are committed to securing the compensation your family deserves while ensuring that such negligence is addressed to prevent future incidents.
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Nursing home falls are not just unfortunate accidents—they are often the result of negligence or inadequate care. While elderly residents are at higher risk for falls due to age-related factors, the responsibility lies with the nursing home to take proactive measures to prevent them. Some of the most common causes of falls in nursing homes include:
Unsafe Conditions Cluttered hallways, poor lighting, slippery floors, or unsteady furniture can create hazardous environments for elderly residents.
Inadequate Staffing When nursing homes are understaffed, caregivers may not be available to assist residents with mobility or provide necessary supervision.
Lack of Proper Supervision Many falls occur when residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments or limited mobility, are left unattended.
Failure to Implement Fall Prevention Measures Nursing homes are required to have fall prevention strategies in place, such as installing handrails, using bed alarms, and providing mobility aids like walkers and canes.
Medication Errors Improper medication management can lead to dizziness or disorientation, increasing the risk of falls.
At Matzus Law, we thoroughly investigate all potential causes to determine whether nursing home negligence contributed to a resident’s fall.
Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for their residents. This duty includes not only maintaining safe physical conditions within the facility but also implementing comprehensive fall prevention measures. When nursing homes fail to meet these responsibilities, they can be held liable for the injuries that result.
Some key responsibilities nursing homes have in ensuring resident safety include:
Conducting Risk Assessments Nursing homes should assess each resident’s risk of falling as soon as they are admitted and regularly thereafter. These assessments help identify residents who are particularly vulnerable to falls and should lead to the creation of individualized care plans.
Implementing Fall Prevention Programs Nursing homes must have structured programs in place to minimize the risk of falls. This includes ensuring that floors are free of hazards, providing handrails, using non-slip footwear, and utilizing bed alarms for residents who are at high risk of falling.
Training Staff Caregivers should be trained in fall prevention techniques and should know how to assist residents in getting around safely. Adequate training is key to preventing accidents and ensuring that residents receive the care they need.
Providing Appropriate Supervision Nursing homes are required to provide sufficient staff to supervise residents, particularly those with mobility issues or cognitive impairments. Failing to provide proper supervision is a common cause of falls.
Maintaining Equipment and Facilities All medical equipment and assistive devices, such as walkers, should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in good working order. Additionally, the physical environment of the nursing home should be kept clean, well-lit, and free of hazards.
When nursing homes fail to uphold these duties, they can be considered negligent. If a fall occurs due to this negligence, the facility can be held legally responsible for the resulting injuries and damages.
It is often difficult for families to know whether their loved one’s fall was simply an accident or the result of negligence. However, there are several warning signs that may indicate that the nursing home failed to provide adequate care. These signs of negligence include:
Frequent Falls A single fall can sometimes be excused as an unfortunate accident, but when a resident experiences multiple falls, it is often a sign that the nursing home is not taking appropriate steps to prevent them.
Unexplained Injuries If your loved one has suffered injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, or bruises, and the nursing home staff cannot adequately explain how these injuries occurred, this is a red flag for potential neglect.
Understaffing Nursing homes that are consistently understaffed may not have enough caregivers available to monitor and assist residents. Chronic understaffing is a major contributor to nursing home falls.
Lack of Proper Documentation Nursing homes are required to document any accidents or injuries that occur. If there is no record of a fall or if the documentation is incomplete, it may indicate that the nursing home is not following proper procedures or is trying to cover up negligence.
Poorly Maintained Facility If you notice that the nursing home’s environment is unsafe—such as wet floors, poor lighting, or cluttered hallways—this is an indication that the facility is not prioritizing safety.
If you suspect that your loved one’s fall was caused by nursing home negligence, Matzus Law can help you investigate and pursue legal action to hold the facility accountable.
At Matzus Law, we have extensive experience representing families and victims of nursing home falls. These incidents can lead to a wide range of serious injuries, many of which require long-term medical care and significantly impact the resident’s quality of life. Some of the most common types of nursing home fall-related injuries we handle include:
Fractures and Broken Bones Elderly residents are particularly susceptible to fractures, especially hip fractures, which are among the most dangerous types of injuries resulting from a fall. Hip fractures often require surgery and extended rehabilitation, and in many cases, they can lead to permanent disability or even death.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Falls are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in elderly residents. A TBI can occur when a resident strikes their head during a fall, leading to concussions, brain hemorrhages, or other forms of brain damage. These injuries can result in cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes, often requiring long-term care.
Spinal Cord Injuries Severe falls can result in spinal cord injuries, which may cause partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries drastically impact an individual’s ability to perform basic functions, requiring lifelong medical treatment, physical therapy, and in-home care.
Soft Tissue Injuries Falls can also cause a range of soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and deep bruising. While these injuries may not seem as serious as fractures or head trauma, they can still lead to significant pain, mobility issues, and prolonged recovery times in elderly residents.
Lacerations and Contusions Residents who fall may suffer from deep cuts (lacerations) or severe bruising (contusions), which can become more problematic due to their fragile skin and slower healing processes. These injuries may also lead to infections or other complications if not properly treated.
Internal Bleeding A fall can result in internal injuries, including damage to organs or internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if not quickly diagnosed and treated. Elderly individuals are at higher risk for complications from such injuries, which may not always be immediately visible after a fall.
Wrongful Death In the most tragic cases, a fall in a nursing home can lead to the death of a resident. Whether due to complications from a broken hip, head trauma, or other injuries, families may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to hold the nursing home accountable for the negligence that led to the fatal fall.
At Matzus Law, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, aggressive representation for families dealing with the aftermath of a nursing home fall. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of nursing home injury cases and are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable.
When you hire Matzus Law, we will:
Conduct a Thorough Investigation We gather evidence to build a strong case. This may include reviewing medical records, obtaining witness statements, inspecting the nursing home’s safety procedures, and assessing the facility’s staffing levels.
Identify Negligence We will work to establish that the nursing home’s failure to meet its responsibilities directly contributed to your loved one’s fall. Whether it’s due to unsafe conditions, poor supervision, or inadequate staff training, we will uncover the causes of the injury.
Pursue Maximum Compensation Nursing home fall injuries can result in extensive medical bills, long-term care needs, and significant pain and suffering. We fight to secure compensation that covers all of these damages, ensuring that your family does not have to bear the financial burden of the nursing home’s negligence.
Support You Every Step of the Way: We understand how stressful it is when a loved one is injured, and we provide personalized legal support throughout the process. You can rely on us to handle all aspects of the case while keeping you informed and involved in the decision-making process.
Filing a lawsuit against a nursing home can be a daunting process, but our team at Matzus Law will be with you every step of the way. We will take care of the legal complexities so that you can focus on supporting your loved one through recovery.
Here’s what you can expect when you file a nursing home injury lawsuit with Matzus Law:
Initial Consultation We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and help you understand your legal options. During this consultation, we’ll gather details about the incident and begin assessing whether the nursing home may be liable.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering Our team will investigate the circumstances of the fall. This includes reviewing medical records, inspecting the nursing home for safety hazards, and interviewing witnesses. We will also look into the facility’s history of fall prevention measures and any prior safety violations.
Filing the Lawsuit If we determine that negligence was a factor in your loved one’s fall, we will file a lawsuit against the nursing home. We’ll work to prove that the nursing home’s failure to provide a safe environment directly caused the injury.
Negotiation and Settlement In many cases, nursing homes may offer a settlement to avoid going to trial. We will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that any settlement offer reflects the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
Trial (If Necessary) If the nursing home does not offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take the case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and will present a compelling case to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Matzus Law, we believe that nursing homes should be held to the highest standards of care, and we are committed to seeking justice for elderly residents who have been harmed by negligence. If your loved one has suffered a fall in a nursing home, don’t wait—contact us today for a free consultation.
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Maztus Law
Maztus Law