Camden Slip and Fall Lawyers: Nursing Home Slip and Fall Accidents

Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to illness and injury. Physically weak, ill, or disabled seniors are more susceptible to dangerous falls. Of course, some slip and fall accidents are just that – accidents. But many slip and fall accidents in nursing homes are caused by staff negligence.

The National Institute on Aging estimates that every year, 30 percent of Americans age 56 and older will suffer a fall, with 10 percent of those falls leading to a serious injury. The National Floor Safety Institute offers another alarming statistic: more than 60 percent of nursing home residents fall every year.

Reasons and Prevention for Slip and Fall Accidents for Seniors

So how do these falls occur and what should be the safest place for senior residents? Nursing homes pose a number of potential hazards. Wet floors, poor lighting, and a lack of sturdy handrails and bedrails can all cause slip and fall accidents. Poorly maintained wheelchairs and clutter in walkways also can lead to dangerous falls.

Residents may be taking medications that affect their balance, making them more likely to fall. One of the most common reasons for nursing home slip and fall accidents is improper bed height. A bed that is too low or too high prevents a person from safely transitioning to or from a standing position.

Slip and fall accidents happen everywhere. However, it is crucial that nursing homes work to protect residents from these types of accidents because seniors are more susceptible to serious injury. Seniors are weaker and less sure on their feet. Moreover, vision and balance both decline as a person ages. Seniors that fall break bones more easily than younger people because their bones become more brittle with age.

The best weapon against nursing home slip and fall accidents is staff training. Nursing home workers need to see accidents before they happen. Staff should evaluate patients for their risk of falls and implement whatever modifications are necessary. Grab bars, raised toilet seats, handrails, and bed height adjustments are all simple fixes that can make a big difference.

Workers should maintain a safe environment, free of spills and hazards for patients to move safely. Family members also need to be proactive about their loved one’s health and wellness – meeting with staff on a regular basis to ensure that their loved one is receiving the best care possible.

Camden Slip and Fall Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Help Nursing Home Accident Victims

Camden slip and fall lawyers at DiTomaso Law take on tough premises liability cases. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a slip and fall accident that could have been prevented, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and recovery. Negligent property owners need to be held accountable. Call our Cherry Hill, New Jersey offices to schedule a confidential consultation at 856-414-0014. You can also complete our convenient online contact form.

Our offices are conveniently located in Center City Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to serve our clients in Pennsylvania and South Jersey including Philadelphia County, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, Camden County, Burlington County, Salem County, Gloucester County, Cumberland County, and Atlantic County.