Falls are one of the most common and dangerous events affecting nursing home residents. For elderly individuals, a single fall can cause broken hips, brain injuries, or even death. Worse still, many of these falls are preventable. When nursing homes fail to provide proper care, supervision, or safety measures, they may be legally responsible for the harm caused.

The Risk and Consequences of Nursing Home Falls

Older adults often face physical and cognitive challenges—such as limited mobility, muscle weakness, balance problems, and dementia—which increase their risk of falling. In nursing homes, residents should be protected through fall prevention protocols.

Consequences of falls can include:

• Hip fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Long-term loss of mobility or independence
• Emotional trauma and fear of future falls

According to the CDC, about 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries. Thousands more are hospitalized.

Why Nursing Home Falls Happen

Falls in care facilities are frequently the result of negligence. Common causes include:

• Inadequate Supervision: Residents left to walk unassisted despite needing help
• Unsafe Environment: Wet floors, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, or lack of grab bars
• Medication Mismanagement: Drugs that cause dizziness or confusion can increase fall risk
• Understaffing: Overworked staff unable to respond promptly to residents who need assistance
• Lack of Fall Risk Assessment: Failure to evaluate and implement personalized safety plans

Identifying Fall Negligence

While not every fall is caused by neglect, families should look for signs that a facility failed to uphold its duty of care. Ask questions such as:

• Was the resident assessed for fall risk upon admission?
• Were bed rails, walkers, or alarms provided?
• Did the fall occur during an unsupervised moment despite known fall risk?
• Has the resident fallen before without adjustments made?

Documentation and investigation are key. Nursing homes are required to maintain records of incidents and may be subject to state or federal inspection.

Legal Options After a Nursing Home Fall

If your loved one has been injured in a fall due to negligence, you may have grounds for legal action. A nursing home abuse attorney can help you:

• Gather and preserve evidence (incident reports, medical records, witness statements)
• Consult with medical experts about preventability
• File claims for medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life

Lawsuits not only seek justice for your family but also pressure nursing homes to improve safety standards for others.

Why Experience Matters in Fall Injury Cases

Fall cases can be complex and highly fact-specific. Working with a legal team that focuses solely on nursing home abuse and neglect—like Protect Seniors—ensures that your case is handled by attorneys who understand the unique legal and medical issues involved. They know what to look for, how to hold facilities accountable, and how to pursue the maximum recovery for injured residents.