Philadelphia Nursing Home Fall Injury Lawyer

Slips and falls are common accidents, and they routinely lead to a personal injury claim against a negligent business or individual. Though many people recover quickly, for our beloved seniors, even a small slip and fall can be a debilitating accident that permanently limits mobility and motor functions. In fact, these accidents can be fatal, just ask our Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers. 

Elderly individuals are at a higher risk of falls for a number of reasons. For example, balance and strength deteriorate with age. However, this simply means that health care professionals who care for the elderly have a greater responsibility to provide a safe environment. These incidents are preventable, and a higher risk is no excuse for negligence.

The Dangers of Nursing Home Falls

Falls and related injuries claim thousands of lives each year. Though negligence is not always to blame, doctors and nurses must do everything in their power to maintain a safe environment. In addition to the frequency of these accidents, other statistics highlight the pervasiveness and severity of these injuries:

• Twenty percent of all elderly fatal slip and fall accidents occur in nursing homes.
• A nursing home with 100 beds will typically report up to 200 falls annually.
• The average patient falls 2.6 times a year.
• Residents who cannot walk account for approximately one-third of all falls.

Like all other nursing home injuries, the reality of a problem far exceeds the reports. Negligent staff members will do everything they can to avoid liability, and when this affects a person you care deeply about, you deserve justice and compensation. When this is the case, reach out to a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney to start your claim.

Prevent Falls and Injuries in Philadelphia

Though these numbers are shocking, you can do plenty to guarantee your loved ones are always in the safest environment possible. Before you commit to a nursing home, make sure you check for the following measures:

• Exercise programs: We all lose strength and flexibility in old age, so look for a nursing home that offers activities that promote good health. Physical activity helps keep seniors on their feet.
• Accident preparedness: The facility should understand the risk of falls. Ask about how nurses and doctors respond to these injuries and what measures are in place to minimize their occurrence.

In addition to these precautions, the staff should walk you through a risk assessment and explain how the resident’s current health and medical history may present problems. They should also let you know how they manage these risks. Keep track of this information and ask about any progress every time your visit. Maintaining a detailed record may prevent any problems from happening, but if something does occur, this data can be essential to a personal injury claim.

Nursing Home Responsibilities – and Your Legal Options

Nursing home employees typically provide an incredibly high standard of care for all patients they manage. For example, they must understand the risk of falls and do everything reasonably possible to monitor the property, clean spills as soon as they occur, and remove any tripping hazards. When practitioners fail to meet these standards and it leads to an accident, their negligence directly contributed to a person’s pain and suffering.

Incidents like these are entirely preventable, and you should never face an insurmountable medical bill when a nurse did not perform according to Pennsylvania’s standards. Luckily, you can find compensation and ensure your elderly loved ones are provided for. Many medical facilities have insurance to cover such incidents, but it will take time to receive a payout – and the offer may be far lower than what you need.

If a nursing home is not willing to pay for the damage it caused, speak with the Philadelphia injury attorney experts at Ciccarelli Law Offices immediately. We have no tolerance for individuals who fail to take their responsibilities seriously, and we will construct the best case possible to secure an acceptable award.