Injuries from Falls in a Nursing Home

Attorneys Who Know Injury from Falls in New Jersey Nursing Homes Are Often Signs of Neglect

Our lawyer-doctor protects the rights of NJ’s most vulnerable residents

Seniors are often more at risk of falling. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three adults older than 64 falls each year, making falls the leading cause of injuries and deaths in this age group. For many families, this increased danger is one of the primary reasons they sought help with day-to-day activities for their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings or other relatives. Sadly, for many families, the nursing home to which they entrusted their loved ones let them down.

Seigel Law opened our practice in 1976 with the sole mission of helping injury victims in Ridgewood, Hackensack, Fair Lawn, Teaneck, Garfield, Fort Lee, Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth and Clifton. Our primary objective is to make sure your loved one is safe and getting the medical attention needed. Next, we aggressively pursue compensation from the nursing home, staff, doctors and nurses who are responsible for protecting your loved one from nursing home injuries.

Fall prevention in nursing homes

Assisted living facilities have an affirmative duty to take fall prevention measures, which might include:

  • Assessing patients for fall risk factors
  • Treating underlying conditions that cause dizziness, weakness or imbalance
  • Monitoring patients on medications that could contribute to fall risks
  • Putting in such mobility aids as grab bars, handrails, raised toilet seats and lowered beds
  • Developing exercise programs designed to increase strength, coordination and balance
  • Educating residents and staff about fall prevention techniques

Physical and chemical restraints are not only unethical, but also unlawful. Take immediate action if your loved one is routinely restrained to beds or chairs or given sedative medications to reduce the risk of wandering.

Signs of nursing home falls

Despite every precaution, accidents sometimes happen. However, nursing home falls should be a rare exception. In reality, they are not. One fall usually reflects a pattern of neglect.

You can protect your loved one from falls by staying vigilant and taking action if you see such common signs as:

  • Fractures
  • Bruises
  • Head injuries
  • Herniated disks and other spinal damages
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Unreasonable fear of falling

Keep in mind that these signs can also indicate assault at the nursing home.

Take action to protect your loved one’s rights

Seigel Law is dedicated to protecting your loved one’s rights. Call our medical malpractice law firm at 201-444-4000 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation with our lawyer-doctor at our Ridgewood-based office, in your home or at the nursing home facility in northern New Jersey. Through our contingency arrangement, you are not responsible for paying attorney fees unless we recover damages on your claim.