Nursing Home Falls & Injuries
New York Personal Injury Lawyers
According to statistics, it is estimated that hundreds of falls are reported
in nursing homes each year. In addition, around 1,800 nursing home deaths
are connected to fall-related injuries. The seriousness of falls for elderly
individuals cannot be taken lightly. Even a non-fatal fall accident can
result in serious suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other medical
complications.
So what causes these dangers falls? The most common issues include:
- Weakness of muscles and walking or gait problems
- Surrounding hazards, such as wet floors, high bed height, etc.
- Heavy medications that effect the central nervous system
- Improper foot care, damaged walking aids, lack of handrails
If your elderly loved one has suffered a serious fall due to
nursing home abuse or negligence, be sure to call on Flanzig & Flanzig, LLP in New York
today. Our caring personal injury lawyers offer
free case evaluations for all potential clients throughout the five boroughs, and other areas
in Suffolk County and Nassau County.
Preventing Falls in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are responsible for taking the necessary steps to keep their
facilities hazard-free and minimizing the risk of dangerous falls. If
they don’t take the proper precautions to keep their facilities
safe, it can lead to devastating injuries and accidents in the long run.
Effective fall prevention will require specific environmental changes,
medical treatment for pre-existing conditions, and rehabilitation for
those dealing with walking issues.
Some of the steps that should be taken by nursing homes include:
- Assessing patients who have suffered falls to identify risk factors and
treat conditions
- Keeping all staff educated on fall risk factors and basic strategies for
prevention
- Determining if certain patients need more supervision or less medication dosages
- Effectively modifying different areas of the facility that may cause mobility
difficulties
- Providing certain patients with hip pads to help minimize damages if a
fall were to occur
- Installing devices that alert staff if a patient tries to leave their bed
without assistance
All of these steps should be considered when a nursing home facility is
trying to reduce the risk of dangerous and life-altering falls. However,
if they fail to make any of these adjustments and a fall-related injury
occurs as a result, it may require legal intervention. Our New York personal
injury attorneys are here to guide you through the process.
Contact us today at 888-290-5994 to discuss your case with a caring advocate. We
can help you determine your legal rights and the next best step for your case.