Charleston Nursing Home Falls Lawyer

Charleston Nursing Home Falls Attorney

Nursing home residents frequently experience serious injuries caused by falls, which could be prevented with proper safety measures. The lack of proper precautions in facilities results in unnecessary harm to residents. Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC, can provide assistance when a loved one suffers a fall. A Charleston nursing home falls lawyer from our firm can obtain justice for abused residents while holding negligent facilities responsible.

Mobility challenges in elderly residents cause them to face a high risk of falls, which can result in broken bones, head injuries, or deadly outcomes. Nursing homes must implement safety measures such as mobility assistance, bed alarms, and maintenance of hazard-free environments.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls

The majority of nursing home falls happen because of hazardous environments and insufficient care. The main reasons for falls in nursing homes are:

• Wet floors
• Poor lighting
• Cluttered hallways
• Inadequate handrail or grab bar installation

Occupants facing mobility difficulties require constant supervision, mobility devices, and help during transfers to avoid falls.

A combination of understaffing, inadequate medication management, and a failure to evaluate fall risks can generate dangerous situations. Safety protocols must be implemented by nursing homes to safeguard residents from harm. Facilities that neglect to manage these risks expose residents to serious fractures, head injuries, and other long-term health complications.

A knowledgeable attorney can hold a nursing home accountable when your loved one experiences a fall caused by negligence.

Injuries Resulting From Nursing Home Falls

Older residents in nursing homes face devastating injuries from falls because their fragile bones and preexisting health conditions make them more vulnerable. Frequent injuries sustained during falls can consist of:

• Hip fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Broken wrists
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding

Simple falls often result in complications that include infections, diminished mobility, and general declining health. Certain falls can lead to irreversible disability or death when medical care is postponed. Nursing home residents often have an incomplete recovery after significant falls, making it critical for nursing homes to prioritize fall prevention.

When a facility neglects to stop or respond correctly to a fall, families can pursue legal action to obtain compensation for their loved one’s pain.

When Is a Nursing Home Liable for a Fall?

Legal liability for a fall at a nursing home depends on whether negligence contributed to the incident. Facilities must evaluate residents for fall risks while ensuring proper supervision and maintaining a safe environment. Liability occurs when nursing staff fail to supervise high-risk residents and neglect essential safety protocols.

The nursing home may face responsibility if a resident’s fall stems from dangerous conditions, improper staffing levels, or a lack of mobility aids. Medical records, witness statements, and facility inspection reports are essential for demonstrating negligence. When family members suspect that their loved one’s fall was caused by negligent care or inadequate facility management, they need to contact an attorney to evaluate their case.

Legal Options for Nursing Home Fall Victims In Charleston

Nursing home fall victims, along with their family members, have legal recourse to obtain compensation for healthcare expenses, emotional distress, and ongoing care needs. A personal injury claim serves to enforce accountability on the facility when negligence leads to a fall. Surveillance footage, staff reports, and medical evaluations are all evidence that can strongly support a case in Charleston.

Attorneys with experience in nursing home cases can analyze the situation, negotiate with insurance providers, and pursue legal action when required. The possibility of these claims encourages nursing homes to maintain safety standards and prevent potential harm to residents.

FAQs

Q: Are Nursing Home Falls Always a Sign of Neglect?

A: While not every fall is a sign of neglectful behavior, numerous cases arise from insufficient care, lack of supervision, and unsafe environmental conditions. Nursing homes need to evaluate each resident for potential fall hazards. They should also take preventative steps, like installing mobility aids and handrails, while ensuring adequate monitoring.

Facilities may be liable if they neglect to assist their residents, fail to manage safety hazards, and do not provide immediate medical care following a fall. A legal professional can evaluate if improper care caused a fall.

Q: What Injuries Can Result From Nursing Home Falls?

A: Nursing home residents who experience falls frequently sustain hip fractures, broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding. Any delayed medical response can result in residents experiencing irreversible mobility loss or deadly consequences.

Small falls can easily create significant health issues by producing infections. Nursing homes should implement preventative measures to protect elderly residents from falls and ensure prompt responses to any incidents that do happen.

Q: How Can I Prove a Nursing Home Liable for a Fall?

A: Establishing liability requires proof of negligence, which can include medical records, incident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements. When a nursing home does not monitor high-risk residents properly, ignores safety protocols, and/or fails to make resident fall risk assessments, it can be held accountable.

Falls may occur due to understaffed nursing homes or poor medication management practices. An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can investigate these incidents and collect evidence. Then, they can develop a case to hold the negligent facility responsible.

Q: What Should I Do If My Loved One Falls in a Nursing Home?

A: When a loved one experiences a fall, you should urgently consult medical professionals to determine the extent of their injuries. Make sure you get an incident report from the facility and take photographs of any apparent injuries. Ask staff members to explain what occurred and confirm if the required safety protocols were followed. Obtain medical reports as well.

By reporting the incident to state regulators and consulting a nursing home abuse lawyer, you can protect your loved one.

Contact a Charleston Nursing Home Falls Lawyer

When negligence in a nursing home leads to your loved one’s fall, you can turn to Wooton, Davis, Hussell & Johnson, PLLC, for help. When nursing homes neglect to safeguard their residents, they must face the consequences, as falls can generate severe injuries that change lives.

Our skilled legal team can examine your case details while striving to secure fair justice for your family. Reach out now for a consultation to explore your legal possibilities. We can secure both proper care and deserved compensation for your loved one.