After a Fall, What Signs Should I Look For to See if Negligence May Be Involved?

If a loved one has been injured in a nursing home fall, there are many questions that you might face about what happened. It likely is not comforting to know that most residents in a nursing home facility will experience a fall during the time in the home. Nor will you feel better when you learn that many of the falls are the result of staff negligence; however, getting some answers can start you on the path to determining what, if any, legal solutions are best for you and your family.

What happened when your loved one was admitted to the facility?

When a person becomes a resident of a nursing home, one of the first things that should be completed is an assessment that details patient needs and restrictions. This assessment plan should be used to determine the daily routine of the resident, as well as restrictions that should be in place to prevent injury. This plan should be a written part of the patient’s record and should be updated as the resident’s circumstances change.

Did you notice that your loved one expressed any fearfulness about moving around the nursing home?

A nursing home resident who has noticed that there were potential tripping hazards around the facility may be afraid to move for fear of falling. This also could indicate that there had been a prior fall that your loved one did not mention or report. It is a definite indicator that there is a problem.

Were there other falls that only led to minor injuries?

In many cases, the fall that caused severe injuries was not the first fall experienced by the resident. During a visit, did you notice cuts and abrasions? If so, it might be the result of a less serious fall. Often, nursing home residents will not reveal these falls because they are afraid that they will be placed in more restricted locations. Sometimes, if the fall was caused by the negligence of a staff member, the resident will not report the accident because he or she is afraid of punishment when everyone has gone home. It is important to ask about what happened to cause any bruises, cuts, or abrasions.

When you visited the nursing home, did the staff respond to the needs of the residents?

Sometimes, it is possible to see signs of staff negligence that may have led to the serious injuries of a loved one. When residents were moving through the hallways and other public areas, were there staff members ready to assist if they became tangled up or appeared unsteady? Were there patients calling for help getting out of bed in the rooms where the staff ignored their requests? In a nursing home, this could be the result of dementia or impaired cognition, but it also could be evidence of staff negligence.

Nursing homes can provide the necessary care and attention that a loved one needs as he or she ages. However, it also can pose a serious risk if there is staff or administrative negligence. It is important to consult with the experienced and caring attorneys at Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC if your loved one has been injured. Our skilled Tennessee nursing home negligence attorneys can discuss the harm that your loved one suffered and determine the best way to gather evidence about what really happened. We understand that accidents do happen, but also know that negligence frequently plays a role in nursing home injuries. We will work with you to determine the best options for you and your loved one. To schedule a time to meet, please call us at (888) 470-9143. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.