Pennsylvania Nursing Home Lawyers
Falls are a common cause of injury in the elderly. Elderly nursing home residents experience a disproportionately high rate of falling accidents as compared to people of the same age who do not live in nursing homes. Among the many injuries that can occur during a fall, fractures can be life-threatening in older people and those who survive may never completely heal. If your loved one has fallen in a nursing home or sustain an unexplained fracture, our Pennsylvania nursing home lawyers can help.
Causes of Falls in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents are at an elevated risk for falls because their bodies are getting weaker, their joints may not work as well as they used to, they may have significant vision loss, and may suffer from balance problems or disorientation sometimes due to medications. This does not mean that falls are a normal and acceptable problem for nursing home patients. Falls are preventable. Unfortunately, corporate understaffing leads to more falls.
One of the primary reasons for placing a loved one in a nursing home is to ensure that receive the constant supervision and assistance necessary to prevent falls. Nursing home falls are often the result of some form of neglect. Causes of falls in nursing homes include:
- Understaffing and poor care planning
- Wet or slippery floors
- Improper bed height
- Improper toilet seat height
- Lack of handrails and grab bars
- Poor lighting
- Poorly fitted wheelchairs
- Inadequate supervision
- Clutter and obstacles
- Shoes which do not fit properly
- Failure to respond to patients’ needs or calls for help in a timely fashion causing patients to attempt to help themselves
- Medication errors
- Failure to properly assess patients for fall risk
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Overuse of restraints
Fractures
Fractures and broken bones are injuries commonly caused by falls. When an elderly nursing home resident sustains a fracture, it can be fatal. Those who survive may not fully recover, and the decreased mobility, decreased quality of life, and fear of falling again, can initiate a rapid decline in health and early death.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse in Pennsylvania, please call the Pennsylvania nursing home lawyers of Colling Gilbert Wright & Carter or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our nursing home lawyers is free, and if we agree to represent you, we will work for a contingent fee, which means we won’t get paid for our services unless you receive a settlement or an award. In Pennsylvania, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before the expiration of the statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.