Nursing home slip-and-fall accidents are very common, and the statistics continue to rise among adults 65 and older. As stated by the New York Department of Health, you may be surprised to hear that falling is not random or uncontrollable and can be prevented when patterns and risks are recognized. When a loved one falls in a nursing home, there are severe consequences to their health and overall well-being. Nursing home negligence puts residents at risk for falls and notable health decline. Many nursing homes are understaffed and mismanaged, putting many residents in an unsafe environment.
Whether or not the residents are deliberately harmed, falls can be prevented and should not be a considerably regular occurrence. At Dalli and Marino Law Firm, our experienced legal team can help you and your loved one be justly compensated for the negligence and suffering they are recovering from because of a nursing home slip and fall. Below is some more information about nursing home slip and fall accidents and why you need to have an attorney on your side when filing a claim.
How Do Falls Happen in NYC Nursing Homes?
Falls are prevalent in the elderly population and may even lead many to live in a nursing home if they fall often. So, how are slip and fall accidents so prevalent within New York City assisted living facilities? Ultimately, how a facility is managed and staffed and how employees are held accountable play a role in the safety and standard of care for their residents. Many different factors cause falls in nursing homes:
- Trips and slips caused by objects or liquids on the floor
- Poor lighting or improper signage
- Wet floors with no warning signs
- Uneven surfaces or sidewalks
- Understaffing
- Negligent care, such as leaving residents unattended or failing to assist when needed
- A lack of safety devices, like alarms
Residents are under the care of the facilities’ staff throughout the entire day. This should not leave any room for your loved ones to fall and injure themselves. Some slip and fall cases have even proven fatal within a nursing home. A loved one who needs care and support to perform daily living activities should not be left alone or neglected.
How Does a Fall Affect a Resident’s Health?
Falling in nursing homes often leads to severe injuries for elderly residents. In some cases, these injuries can also be fatal. Some of the most common injuries from falls include:
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Injuries to the joints
When older adults fall, they may not be able to get up without assistance. If they are left stranded on the floor for an extended period, their injuries can worsen or even lead to death, depending on their severity. At an older age, wounds and broken bones take time to heal and have lasting effects on the individual.
What If My Loved One Has Pre-existing Conditions?
A pre-existing condition can easily contribute to a nursing home resident’s slip and fall. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the nursing staff to care for them and keep them safe. Nursing home staff must be attentive and take necessary precautions to prevent falls from happening. Some common pre-existing conditions that can lead to elderly slip and fall accidents in nursing homes include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Vision ailments
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Urinary incontinence
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
Nursing staff must help residents immediately to ensure the resident’s safety and well-being. If your loved one’s fall was caused by negligence on the part of the nursing home staff, an experienced attorney knows the law and could help you file a claim.
How Does an Attorney Help Me with a Slip and Fall Claim?
Nursing home slip and falls can be very complex cases. Many factors need to be considered, such as the pre-existing conditions of the resident, the cause of the fall, and the extent of damages. An experienced attorney has the knowledge and resources to look at all aspects and build a strong case.
Also, large insurance companies often work with nursing homes with teams of attorneys who defend negligence cases. You will need an attorney who can work with you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Filing a claim also requires documentation that can be lengthy, and it can be hard to understand what is needed. A professional attorney who has successfully handled nursing home negligence claims can help you prepare you to file a lawsuit against the nursing home.
Contact Dalli and Marino Law Firm for a Trusted Attorney
At Dalli and Marino, our trusted attorneys are skilled and trained in gathering the necessary information for a nursing home negligence claim. Our legal team has helped our clients successfully file a claim and receive just compensation for their loved one’s suffering. We will review your case and be by your side throughout the slip and fall claim process. Contact us using our contact form or give us a call at (888) 465-8790 for a free consultation.
