Nursing Home Falls: Accident Or Neglect? Know The Signs
Falls are common in nursing facilities. They are the major cause of injury and death in elderly nursing home residents in New Jersey. While some may seem like unfortunate accidents, they can be controlled to lower the chance of falling. Still, many are preventable and often suggest staff negligence, poor supervision and unsafe environment.
If you have parents in nursing facilities, understanding the risks and warning signs is critical.
Why falls happen in nursing facilities
Falls are multifactorial but these factors are avoidable. Common causes include:
- Inadequate supervision or delayed responses to call buttons
- Hazardous walkways such as wet floors, poor lighting or cluttered paths
- Unmonitored medication side effects
- Lack of fall risk evaluation after previous accidents
- Faulty aid or inadequate assistance
Nursing facilities must assess the risk for each elderly resident and implement a personalized care plan to avoid falls. This plan includes proper staffing, fall prevention programs and assistance with daily activities.
What to watch for
If your loved one has experienced a fall or “near miss,” it’s important to watch for signs that something may be wrong. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
- Unexplained bruises
- Vague or inconsistent explanations from staff
- Care plan lacks fall prevention details
- A sudden fear of walking or being alone
Multiple falls or dismissive statements from staff could signal issues with care standards or safety protocols.
When to seek legal guidance
If you believe a nursing facility failed to protect your loved one from a preventable fall, it may be time to seek legal guidance or speak with a legal professional knowledgeable in elder care negligence. Falls could be a symptom of bigger issues like chronic understaffing or failure to comply with state-mandated care procedures.
An attorney can help you understand your loved one’s rights, investigate the history of the nursing facility and determine whether legal action is appropriate. Attorneys can also help ensure prevention of future harm, whether for your family or others in the same facility.
People, especially care professionals, should not dismiss falls as unavoidable. When they happen due to negligence, you deserve answers and, most of all, accountability.