I am not a doctor.
I am not a nurse.
I don’t work in a nursing home.
BUT after almost 10 years of representing families who have suffered great loss because of nursing home negligence, I have learned one thing. Sometimes falls happen. Most of the time the falls could have and should have been prevented.
Let me repeat myself.
Sometimes falls happen. Most of the time the falls could have and should have been prevented.
Is your loved one in a nursing home and dealing with at least one of the following?
- On one or more medications for dementia? Memory loss? Agitation?
- On Coumadin?
- Lacking in self awareness?
- Active and walking at home but seemingly tired and uninterested in the nursing home?
The nursing home has a duty to assess your loved one upon admission, for falls.
If the nursing home has properly assessed them as a fall risk, certain interventions should be in place. Certain actions should occur. Staff should be on alert.
If either (a) they failed to properly assess your loved one and/or (b) assessed them but failed to implement the fall prevention protocol, and permanent injury results, the nursing home may be held responsible for the injury suffered by your loved one.
By: Brian Bullock