When older adults fall, they are at a higher risk of sustaining severe fall-related injuries, such as fractures, which could decrease their quality of life and restrict their ability to function. As a result, nursing home facilities take steps to mitigate the risk of falls.
However, preventable nursing home falls continue to occur due to reasons such as:
- Not addressing tripping hazards
- Understaffed facility, inadequate supervision
- Lack of experience and training in employees
- Failure to identify at-risk patients and not taking precautionary steps to limit risks of falls and fractures
- Abuse or neglect
- Lack of assistance when getting in or out of bed, during a bath or shower, and other activities
- Failing to respond to call-for-help buttons
If you suspect that your loved one suffered a fall or fracture from the negligent action of a nursing home facility or its employee, you are entitled to seek compensation for the permanent or severe damages your loved one sustained.
Get in touch with a falls and fractures lawyer serving Waldorf, 410-547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
Common Causes of Falls and Fractures in Waldorf Nursing Homes
An elderly nursing home resident may fall and sustain fractures for a variety of different reasons, such as:
- Poor balance, gait, and strength due to aging
- Side effects of certain medications, such as sedatives
- Poor lighting, which prevents the resident from being able to see the path ahead
- Cluttered premises, which can increase the risk of a tripping hazard
- Uneven or wet floors
- Defective walking aids or wheelchairs, or lack of canes, handrails, and other equipment
- Unfit footwear that makes it difficult for the resident to walk properly
- Understaffed facility, which can cause patients to not have enough supervision to prevent falls or receive prompt attention if a fall does occur
While not all falls can be prevented, nursing homes have a duty to properly maintain the facility and provide adequate support and supervision to their residents, so the risk of falls and fractures stays limited.
If you suspect that your loved one’s fall was preventable and it occurred because of the facility’s negligence, our Waldorf falls and fractures in nursing homes attorney can investigate your case and uncover the root cause of who and what caused the accident.
How Our Waldorf Falls and Fractures in Nursing Homes Lawyer Can Prove Negligence
To bring a falls and fractures in a nursing home lawsuit to a successful outcome, you must be able to prove that:
- The nursing home was at fault for your loved one’s fall.
- The fall resulted in your loved one incurring fracture and other injuries.
- The fracture may result in future disabilities.
Some evidence is time sensitive. You must begin gathering specific evidence when you suspect that the fall resulted from negligence.
If you hire us, we can help obtain evidence such as the following:
- Photos of hazards (for example, liquid substance on the floor, obstacle, broken cane)
- Photos of the site which show a lack of warning of the hazard
- Photos of the visible injuries of the resident
- If you notice a video camera on site, our attorney will be able to immediately obtain the footage before it is destroyed
- Statements and contact information of other visitors or residents who may have witnessed the hazard or the fall
- Records of prior complaints, if any, against the nursing home facility
- In-depth investigation on the conditions of the facility and quality of care
All this information can give us vital clues to determine how the accident unfolded, what caused it, and who was involved in the negligent actions. We will also use the evidence to strengthen your case and obtain a fair settlement for the physical, emotional, and psychological injuries your elderly loved one and family have suffered.
Do Not Wait: You Have Limited Time to File a Claim for Your Loved One’s Fall and Fracture Injuries
PerMd. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-109, you have the sooner of either five years after your injury, or three years after the discovery of your injury, to file a court case. If you wait to file a claim until after the deadline expires, your case may be dismissed, and you may forfeit your opportunity to secure compensation and hold the liable nursing home accountable for its reckless actions.
We strongly recommend that you consider taking legal action as soon as possible. This will ensure you are able to obtain compelling pieces of evidence before they disappear or are made inaccessible by the nursing home.
If you contact our legal team, our attorney can review your loved one’s nursing home accident and begin building an evidence-backed case worthy of fair compensation.
Speak with Our Waldorf Attorney About How You Can Hold the Negligent Nursing Home Accountable
Brown & Barron offers free, no-obligation case reviews to all our potential clients. Our attorney will discuss your case during this meeting to assess whether you have legal grounds to pursue compensation through a nursing home abuse and neglect lawsuit. Our attorney will answer any questions you may have and shed light on your loved one’s legal options for securing compensation and justice.
A Waldorf falls and fractures in nursing homes attorney at Brown & Barron can help you hold the negligent nursing home accountable and obtain financial reparation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a falls and fractures lawyer serving Waldorf.
Recoverable Damages in a Waldorf Nursing Homes Falls and Fractures Lawsuit
Every elderly fall accident is devastating and can result in different types of fractures and injuries, such as:
- Hip fractures
- Head trauma
- Face and eye socket fractures
- Leg fractures
- Arm and wrist fractures
- Pelvic fractures
- Broken ribs
- Broken vertebra
- And more
Along with fractures, your loved one may also face other long-term injuries and complications that may require intensive medical treatment and rehab.
Once our attorney reviews your loved one’s case, we will be able to recognize the damages you can recover compensation for and assign a value to each type of loss.
Some of the damages a nursing home abuse and neglect claim may cover include:
- Medical expenses for surgeries, hospital and doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, counseling sessions, and more
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- If your loved one has passed away, you may be able to recover funeral and burial costs and compensation for the loss of companionship and guidance
Call us today to speak with a member of our team or fill out this form, and we will get back to you shortly to schedule an appointment.