Falls in Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Falls Lawyers in Las Vegas

Falling is a frequent and repeated problem for many nursing home residents, especially when their movements are not being monitored properly by the facility’s staff.

When compared by age, residents of nursing homes fall more often than residents who remain in the community. The percentage of adults 65 and older who live in nursing homes in the U.S. is just over 5%, yet residents of nursing homes account for approximately 20% of all falls among that age group.

Part of this is due to nursing home residents being frailer than people of the same age who live in the community. Other falls are caused by the lack of care provided by the staff.

If your loved one suffered a fall in a Las Vegas nursing home, our committed elder abuse attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and provide the representation you need to hold the facility accountable.

Falls Among the Elderly Are Common in Las Vegas

As we begin to age, our bodies become less sturdy and falls become more common – inside and outside of nursing homes.

National statistics for falls among the elderly include:

One in three adults older than 65 falls every year
Among the 65 and older age group, falls are the leading cause of death
Falls in this group are also the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions due to trauma
29 million nonfatal injuries from falls occur in those over 65 each year
Severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head trauma in this age group can increase the risk of early death
The direct medical cost of falls in older adults last year was $50 billion, accounting for 6% of all Medicare payments
Between 20-30% of falls cause moderate to severe injuries that make it more difficult to move around independently and increase the chances of early death
50-75% of nursing home residents fall annually; Twice the number of falls among the elderly living in the community
Falling is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among older adults

What Are the Most Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls in Las Vegas?

As our loved ones continue to age, falls are one of the largest concerns of their well-being. Often, falls are the catalyst for moving our loved ones into a nursing home or assisted living facility, to ensure they are always supervised.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Falls among nursing home residents can result from a combination of factors, which can include:

Too few staff members to monitor all patients
Frailty of the residents and lack of muscle strength
Medications that sedate residents
Medications that cause dizziness
Beds that are too high
Wet or slippery floors
Lack of grab bars in hallways and bathrooms
Low blood pressure leading to dizziness when rising from a sitting or reclining position
Poor lighting in hallways
Clutter in resident’s rooms or hallways
Difficulty seeing
Confusion
Poor footwear
Incorrect use of walking aids
Poor wheelchair upkeep

Las Vegas Nursing Home Facility Evaluations

Some facilities use post-fall evaluations of patients to understand what caused their falls and how to prevent them going forward. These assessments and follow-up remediation can help avoid many falls in the future.

Some plans to evaluate and prevent falling can include:

Timely evaluations after a fall
Staff education
Exercise programs
Reviews of drug regimens
Providing hip protectors

The concentration of the elderly in one place increases the statistical risk of falling and the need for heightened awareness among caregivers. Falling is a serious problem among the elderly and especially residents of nursing homes. If your loved one has been injured by a fall in a Las Vegas nursing home, our elderly abuse attorneys can help.

Contact Our Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If your loved one had a serious fall and was consequently injured in a nursing home, it is important to investigate the reason for the fall. If the facility or its employees are responsible, contact our personal injury lawyers today to understand your rights and if your loved one can be compensated for their injuries.

Our Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen represent nursing home residents and families throughout Nevada. To find out if and how we can help you, contact us today at 702-800-0000