Slip and fall accidents are common among the elderly, but the rate of nursing home falls is much higher than the rate of falls among the general population. Residents of nursing homes fall at twice the rate of other older adults; the average resident falls 2.6 times per year. More than a third of these fall injuries occur among patients unable to walk.

Why are there more falls in nursing homes than in the community at large?

There are many reasons that elderly residents of nursing home fall more frequently, some as a result of their own fragility and some as a result of insufficient and improper nursing care.

Nursing home residents are more likely to fall because they:

• Tend to be older and frailer, that’s why they’re in nursing homes
• Have more chronic conditions and more difficulty walking
• Tend to have cognitive (thought or memory) problems
• Are less able to manage simple tasks like dressing on their own
• Have poorer balance and more general muscle weakness
• Take more medications that increase the risk of falls,
• May suffer weakness from being improperly nourished or hydrated

On the other hand, some of the reasons for nursing home falls may be the result of environmental hazards, negligence or even abuse. The nursing home may be responsible for the patient’s fall if the accident is attributable to:

• Unsafe conditions, such as wet floors, inadequate lighting, or incorrect bed height
• Improper sanitation of surfaces or supports that makes them sticky or slippery
• Lack of necessary equipment, such as railings in halls or showers
• Lack of maintenance of wheelchairs or other equipment
• Negligence of a staff member
• Inattention on the part of staff members
• Abusive behavior on the part of a staff member

Contributing to falls is the fact that unfortunately most nursing homes are short-staffed and the staff they have is often not adequately trained in methods of fall prevention.

If your loved one has fallen and suffered a personal injury in a nursing home and you know or suspect that negligence or abuse was a factor, contact a competent personal injury attorney as quickly as possible.

Experienced Injury Lawyers - We Get Results for Our Clients

Jaroslawicz & Jaros has successfully represented many clients who were injured by falling in a nursing home or assisted living facility. We know how to properly investigate these types of cases to ensure that the maximum compensation is obtained for our clients.

If you or a loved one were injured while under the care and supervision of a New York area nursing home, and are in need of legal assistance, call Jaroslawicz & Jaros at 212.227.2780, or toll free in New York 800.269.2780, or submit an online questionnaire.

The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds.

In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call to ensure that you do not waive your right to compensation. Or you can call Abraham Jaros on his cell 212.227.2780 or email him at ajaros@lawjaros.com.