menu

Slip and Fall Accidents in Nursing Homes

BIKLaw Medical Malpractice Lawyer > Elder Abuse > Slip and Fall Accidents in Nursing Homes

When you are considering placing your elderly loved one in a nursing home, there are many factors to consider. Of course, one of the biggest factors is cost. Los Angeles nursing homes can be expensive, especially if specialized care is involved. However, something else to consider is safety. As people age, they become less stable and more prone to slip and fall accidents in nursing homes. While falls might not generally be seen as a serious safety hazard, they can be very damaging to an older loved one’s health. The good news is that slips and fall and the injuries associated with them can often be avoided if the right precautions are taken. If you are concerned that your elderly loved one is a victim of physical elder abuse, click here to learn more about the signs.

There are several precautions that can be made to prevent falls in nursing homes. If you are considering a Los Angeles nursing home for your loved one, make sure to review this list.

 

Clean Floors. Perhaps the most obvious precaution, you would be shocked with how often slip and falls in Los Angeles nursing homes occur because of debris or other factors, such as wet floors. Well-maintained floors and appropriate signage will help keep nursing home residents from tripping over items and falling. Of course, nursing homes should also have adequate lighting in hall ways and other common areas so that the residents can easily see where they are going and not accidentally walk into carts, chairs, etc… After all, we cannot avoid dangers we can’t see!

 
Adequate Assistance. Potential falls in Los Angeles nursing homes can be avoided if residents are properly assisted. If your elderly loved one requires a walker or cane, they need to be able to use it properly before attempting to navigate the nursing home halls alone. For fragile residents who do not always need the assistance of a wheelchair or walker, a nursing home employee should accompany them as often as possible to help them avoid falls. The halls of the nursing home should be monitored to make sure that patients are utilizing their equipment properly.

 
Proper Training. Before you decide on a nursing home for your elderly loved one, make sure you know who will be working with and / or assisting your senior citizen. A nursing home’s caregivers should be trained and experienced in dealing with issues and concerns similar to your loved one. Additionally, make sure they speak and understand the language of your loved one, as communication is key.

 
Aging nursing home residents who suffer from a fall may be seriously injured and not able to fully recover, one of the reasons why it is necessary to avoid falls at all costs. Hopefully, by following the above steps the risk of falls can be lessened in nursing homes or you can avoid placing your loved one in a situation that could lead to their harm. Elder abuse happens throughout Los Angeles. If your loved one has suffered a fall as the result of nursing home staff negligence or abuse, consult a Los Angeles nursing home negligence lawyer immediately to learn your rights.

 
If you or your loved one might have been the victim of elder abuse or nursing home abuse, you need the experience and knowledge of an aggressive doctor turned trial lawyer. Bradley I. Kramer, MD, Esq. not only understands the law and how to fight for your legal rights, but as a doctor, he can clearly and accurately present your case and your loved one’s injuries to the judge or jury. His track record of success speaks for itself.

Questions? Contact us