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Are Nursing Home Falls Neglect or Accidents?
Are Nursing Home Falls Neglect or Accidents?
At Hill & Moin LLP, our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers have seen firsthand how devastating nursing home falls can be for elderly residents and their families. While some falls are true accidents, many are preventable and occur because nursing homes fail to provide the level of care and supervision required by law. Understanding whether your loved one’s fall was the result of nursing home negligence or an unavoidable mishap is the first step toward getting justice and accountability.
Understanding the Scope of Nursing Home Falls
Falls in nursing homes are alarmingly common. Studies suggest that about half of all nursing home residents fall each year—many suffering serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, or even fatal complications.
Because of residents’ advanced age and fragile health, even a single nursing home fall can lead to lasting disability, emotional trauma, and mounting medical bills.
Federal and state regulations require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to maintain a safe environment and implement effective fall prevention measures. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable for the harm caused.
Why Nursing Home Falls Happen
Not every fall is an accident. Many are the result of inadequate care, poor supervision, or unsafe conditions. Common causes include:
- Wet floors or cluttered walkways
- Lack of handrails and adequate lighting
- Improperly maintained equipment
- Understaffing or untrained staff members
- Failure to monitor high-risk residents
- Ignoring fall prevention plans or doctor’s orders
- Delays in responding to call lights or emergencies
Each of these conditions reflects a breach of duty by the facility. When a nursing home does not properly maintain the premises or assist residents as required, it puts all residents—especially those with mobility issues—at risk.
When Is a Fall Considered Neglect?
A nursing home fall becomes neglect when the facility fails to take reasonable steps to prevent it. Federal law requires that nursing home staff assess every resident’s fall risk and create a personalized fall prevention plan.
Neglect may be involved if:
- Staff ignored warning signs or failed to follow safety protocols.
- The facility did not provide necessary mobility aids (like walkers or bed alarms).
- Residents were left unattended in unsafe areas.
- Maintenance issues—like uneven flooring or loose carpeting—were left unaddressed.
- There was a pattern of previous falls in the nursing home that went unresolved.
In these cases, the facility’s inaction or carelessness can make them legally responsible for your loved one’s injuries.
Is It Ever Just an Accident?
Sometimes, even with appropriate care, falls occur. Older adults may lose balance due to medication side effects, health complications, or sudden dizziness. However, a fall can only be considered an accident after a thorough investigation shows that the facility did everything it reasonably could to prevent falls.
A law firm experienced in nursing home fall cases can help you gather evidence, review medical records, and determine whether your loved one’s injuries were avoidable. If the facility fails to meet safety and staffing standards, it may be held liable for nursing home negligence.
Common Injuries from Nursing Home Falls
Even a minor fall in a nursing home can cause severe physical and emotional harm. Some of the most frequent fall-related injuries include:
- Broken bones (hips, wrists, or arms)
- Head injuries and concussions
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal damage or paralysis
- Severe bruising and lacerations
- Emotional distress or fear of walking independently
In older adults, these injuries often lead to hospitalization, surgery, or permanent loss of mobility. Sadly, subsequent injuries and complications—like infections or blood clots—can be life-threatening.
The Facility’s Legal Duty to Prevent Falls
Under federal regulations and Arkansas (or your local state) law, nursing homes are required to create and enforce fall prevention measures that protect residents. These may include:
- Conducting a fall risk assessment for each new resident
- Creating personalized care plans
- Ensuring proper staffing levels at all times
- Installing handrails, bed alarms, and non-slip flooring
- Keeping walkways clean and dry
- Training staff members in fall prevention and emergency response
When a facility neglects these responsibilities, it puts residents in danger—and can be held liable for any resulting harm.
How to Prove Negligence After a Nursing Home Fall
Determining whether a nursing home is responsible for a loved one’s fall requires careful documentation. To build a strong case, your personal injury attorney will investigate:
- The circumstances surrounding the fall (where, when, and how it occurred).
- Witness statements from other residents or staff members.
- The resident’s medical records and any history of prior falls.
- Whether the facility had a fall prevention plan in place.
- If federal or state regulations were violated.
- Whether the staff followed safety measures and responded promptly.
This thorough investigation helps determine whether the nursing home acted negligently—and whether your family can seek justice through a nursing home abuse claim.
What to Do If Your Loved One Falls in a Nursing Home
If your family member has been injured in a nursing home fall, take these steps immediately:
- Get medical attention right away. Even minor injuries can have serious consequences for elderly residents.
- Document the scene—take photos of the area, equipment, or hazards that contributed to the fall.
- Request a report from the facility and note any inconsistencies.
- Speak to other residents who might have witnessed the incident.
- Contact an experienced attorney to evaluate whether neglect played a role.
The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence and hold the facility accountable.
Why These Cases Require Legal Experience
Nursing home fall cases are complex because multiple responsible parties may share blame. The facility, individual staff members, or even third-party maintenance contractors could all play a role. Proving fault often requires medical expertise, facility records, and in-depth knowledge of nursing home regulations.
At Hill & Moin LLP, our attorneys understand the challenges families face after a loved one’s fall. We have a deep understanding of how these facilities operate, what safety standards they must follow, and how to hold negligent facilities accountable.
Compensation for Nursing Home Fall Victims
If your loved one’s fall was the result of nursing home negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death damages, in fatal cases
Every case is different, but one thing remains constant: your family deserves justice and fair compensation for the harm caused by the facility’s carelessness.
Seek Justice for Your Loved One Today
If your loved one suffered a nursing home fall, you don’t have to face this painful situation alone. Hill & Moin LLP is dedicated to helping families uncover the truth and hold negligent facilities accountable. Our compassionate nursing home abuse lawyers can investigate what happened, determine liability, and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Schedule your free consultation today to discuss your case with a skilled attorney. Call (212) 668-6000 or contact us online to learn how we can help you seek justice and protect your loved one’s safety.
At Hill & Moin LLP, we treat every case with care, respect, and determination—because your family’s peace of mind matters.