Nursing Home Slip and Fall Injuries
Many of us have aging parents and relatives. In our daily lives, we are faced with juggling the demands of work, home, and family; alongside with the responsibilities of caring for our aging loved ones. Nursing homes and long term assisted living facilities often are the answer to the problem of providing the level of medical care needed, while also ensuring their daily personal needs, such as hygiene, diet, and interaction with others, are met. Unfortunately as increasing numbers of older Americans have entered the nursing home and assisted living care systems; there has been a corresponding increase in nursing home injuries. Slip and fall accidents present a real danger for senior citizens and the impacts of these accidents can be debilitating and even life threatening. Here is what you need to know about these injuries as well as what you can do to ensure your loved ones are protected.
Nursing Home Slip and Fall Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently over 14 million older Americans living in nursing home and assisted care facilities and almost three quarters of these residents will suffer an injury as the result of a fall each year. Many times, falls go unreported to the families of victims and the CDC states that patients in facilities often fall more than once during their stay. Falls can result in serious and potentially life threatening injuries, and 2,000 nursing home residents die as the result of falls each year. Injuries that occur as the result of falls include:
- Broken bones, particularly in the arms wrist, ankles, and hips
- Muscle strain and sprain and torn ligaments and tendons
- Cuts, abrasions and serious lacerations
- Back injuries, such as fractured vertebrae and herniated disks
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
Falls can result in a steady health decline in older adults, and fear of falling often causes nursing home residents to withdraw from activities they once enjoyed.
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Preventing Nursing Home Injuries
The CDC reports that falls are common in nursing homes due to a variety of factors. These include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Difficulty in moving from one area to another
- Overall muscle weakness and arthritis
- Poor vision and the use of outdated prescription glasses
- Loose slippers with inadequate tread
In order to prevent fall injuries it is important that nursing homes take extra safety precautions, such as ensuring walkways are clear and have railings, having adequate staff to attend to patients, ensuring residents get the proper medical care, and also ensuring they have appropriate personal care items, such as eyeglasses and properly fitting shoes. For family members of nursing home residents, you can help ensure the safety of your loved ones by downloading a nursing home safety checklist from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to use when selecting a nursing home or during visits.
Let Us Assist You With Your Case
If you have a loved one who has been injured as a result of a nursing home accident, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm immediately. Our experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys can advise you on how to hold responsible parties accountable for your loved one’s injuries to help them get the care and compensation they need to recover from their injuries. With offices in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, we fight for the rights of you and your loved ones, while providing the compassionate, caring legal service you deserve. Call Akim Anastopoulo today for a free review of your case.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form