We Represent the Rights of Nursing Home Injury Victims
Nursing homes should always keep the health and safety of residents top priority. Nursing home staff should understand the needs of each individual resident and strive to fulfill those needs. This includes basic needs such as nutrition and hygiene, as well as proper medical care and assistance. When a nursing home resident does not receive the proper care and assistance and suffers a hip fracture, they may have the right to hold the nursing home accountable.
Receiving a call that a loved one fell and fractured a hip can be distressing. The nursing home staff may deny any responsibility for the accident. However, nursing home staff should be aware of fall hazards and know how to prevent dangerous falls. It can be difficult to fully understand your legal rights and options for recovering financial compensation. If you or a loved one fell and fractured a hip at a nursing home, is critical that you discuss the situation with a law firm that has experience handling these types of claims. Please do not hesitate to call Abels & Annes in Chicago at 312-924-7575 or contact us online today.
The Risk of Hip Fractures
Falling is a leading cause of hip fractures in older adults in the United States. Older adults are at a high risk of slipping, tripping, and falling for several reasons. First, their balance, coordination, and reflexes may become weaker, so they may lose their balance more easily and have less capacity to steady or catch themselves before they fall. Their bones may also be weaker, so landing on the ground can cause fractures more easily.
A hip fracture is a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. Many hip fractures require surgery, which can be risky for elderly patients. The stress of the surgery can result in other complications, which can then require an extended hospitalization. Some hip fractures require a full hip replacement, with a lengthy and arduous recovery time. Patients suffering from hip fracture may need to be confined to a wheelchair or may require an increased level of assistance for the rest of their lives.
A hip fracture can result in many different losses for a nursing home resident, including:
- Costs of medical treatment, hospitalization, and surgery
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Increased costs for a higher level of assisted living
- Permanent disabilities
All of these losses can be extensive and you should always determine whether a nursing home should be responsible for covering them.
Was a Nursing Home Liable for an Injury?
After a loved one falls and breaks their hip at their nursing home, it is not always the fault of the facility. However, many falls occur because of negligent acts on the part of the nursing home, or the failure to prevent falls when there are known fall risks. In these situations, the nursing home should be legally and financially responsible for the resulting injuries.
Negligence occurs when a nursing home breaches the duty of care owed to residents. The level of necessary care will vary from situation to situation depending on the condition and needs of the particular resident. For example, not every resident may need assistance going to the bathroom. However, if a nursing home knows that a particular resident is at a high risk of falling and should have assistance, the facility can be deemed negligent if they fail to help the resident and a hip fracture results.
In addition, some falls and hip fractures occur because a nursing home failed to keep the premises in safe condition for the residents. Hazardous conditions that can often lead to a hip fracture include:
- Wet floors without proper warnings
- Slippery flooring material
- Ramps without handrails or anti-slip flooring
- Small steps without warnings
- Cords that are not secured to the walls
- Dangerous stairs
If a nursing home fails to maintain the premises properly and someone falls because of a hazard, the facility should be liable for their injuries.
Hip fractures can also be the result of nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse is a growing problem in the United States and happens all too often. No one likes to consider the possibility of nursing home staff physically assaulting their loved one, but you should know the signs of abuse so you can help to keep your loved one safe.
If your loved one suffers a hip fracture, make sure to ask them about the details of what happened so you can determine whether they were assaulted. Nursing home staff or other residents may push someone down or otherwise cause them to fall with a physical assault. Notice whether they regularly suffer injuries, exhibits signs of injuries in various stages of healing, and any unexplained injuries. Double check the explanation with your loved one to see if they recall the same course of events. If something does not add up, discuss your options with a skilled nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible.
Find Out How Our Nursing Home Injury Attorneys Can Help
The legal team of Abels & Annes is committed to protecting the rights of all of our clients, including older adults who suffer hip fractures in nursing homes. We can determine the best course of action based on your specific circumstances. We handle every aspect of insurance claims, personal injury litigation, and all steps of the legal process. We know how much you care about your loved one and their well-being and we have seen how distressing nursing home injuries can be. We fight to hold negligent or abusive nursing homes accountable so your loved one can be fully compensated for their losses.
Contact a Chicago Hip Fracture Lawyer for More Information
Abels & Annes is a highly regarded and established personal injury law firm, representing clients in and around the Chicago area. We help accident victims of all ages who suffer serious injuries including hip fractures. If you suspect that you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured, please call our legal team at 312-924-7575 or contact us online so we can inform you of your rights for free.