In their physically weakened state, elderly adults are in danger of serious injury when they fall. In fact, the danger of slipping, tripping, and falling is so great that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to maintain plans for their prevention and standards for their treatment if they do happen. If a nursing home fails to adequately address a slip, trip, and fall accident, or is negligent in attempting to prevent one, they may be held accountable.
Slip, Trip, & Fall Accidents In Nursing Homes
The potential for falling, and the risk of injury that it presents are so great in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes, that a wealth of reliable literature has been published.
- The average nursing home reports up to 200 falls every year.
- Elderly adults, those 65 and over, are four times as likely to die from injuries sustained in a fall.
- 1,800 patients in nursing homes die every year from injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls.
- Almost 75% of elder care facility residents fall every year.
- Nearly 20% of falls in nursing homes result in serious injury.
Causes Of Slip, Trip, And Fall Accidents In Nursing Homes
Nursing homes and other elder care facilities are tasked with doing all they can to prevent slip, trip, and fall accidents. Even so, negligent supervision, dangerous obstacles, and unfit living environments have been discovered in numerous nursing homes nation-wide. Common causes of slip, trip, and fall accidents in nursing facilities include:
- Weak or nonexistent lighting to properly illuminate obstacles
- Failure to institute proper “interventions,” precautions against falls, like bed and chair alarms and restraints
- Failure to assist residents in using bathrooms
- Under-staffed or lack of adequate supervision
- Wet floors
- Broken wheelchairs
Follow this link to learn more about the signs of nursing home neglect.
Pennsylvania Elder Abuse & Neglect Attorneys For Slip, Trip, And Fall Victims
The attorneys at PA Nursing Home Lawyers have numerous years of experience representing the victims of elder abuse & neglect. In that time, we’ve developed an extensive array of skills and expertise in the areas of personal injury law and patient rights.
Working closely with a team of doctors, we will determine the extent of your loved one’s injuries. This allows us to seek the maximum compensation for your medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Nursing homes should be held accountable for their negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (215) 563-2499 or filling out our online contact form.
