Slipping or tripping and falling can have devastating consequences for older adults living in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Sadly, it is a common occurrence that is almost always avoidable. Most cases are the result of the carelessness of staff or the center employing them.
If you or your loved one suffered an injury in an avoidable fall, speak with a compassionate elder neglect attorney skilled in handling cases resulting from falls in New Orleans nursing homes. At Sangisetty Law Firm, our team is accepting clients throughout the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Falls Often Result in Severe and Catastrophic Injuries for Elderly Residents
While anyone can sustain serious injuries when they fall, the consequences can be especially catastrophic for senior citizens. Examples of the injuries New Orleans nursing home residents may suffer due to slips, trips, and falls include:
- Hip or pelvis fractures
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken joints or limbs, particularly shoulders, arms, and wrists
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Strains, sprains, and torn ligaments
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
Older individuals, particularly those aged 65 and over, are at greater risk of injury and more likely to suffer long-term mobility issues. Reduced mobility or activity levels can also lead to loneliness, depression, or other mental health issues that further impact a personʼs overall health and well-being.
Fall Prevention
Falls are a significant public health issue worldwide and the number one cause of traumatic fatalities. Older adults and those with disabilities living in nursing homes are particularly vulnerable. As many as half of residents in care facilities experience a significant fall at least once a year, with many requiring hospitalization.
Falls in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes are almost entirely preventable and often lead to severe and life-altering or deadly consequences. Therefore, risk assessments and the use of effective methods to prevent accidents are crucial.
What Are the Prevention Techniques?
A key study published by the National Library of Medicine strongly endorses specific systems and multifactorial programs for fall prevention. The study recommends regularly assessing residents for fall risks, including mobility problems, a history of falls, and the use of certain medications. Adjustments and environmental modifications may be necessary based on this assessment. Education and ongoing training for nurses and staff are also essential.
Professionally supported exercise programs for residents can also deliver significant success and reductions in injuries from slipping, tripping, and falling. A nursing home that takes proactive prevention steps based on practical, evidence-based strategies can improve the safety and overall quality of life of its residents. An experienced lawyer at Sangisetty Law Firm in New Orleans could investigate whether a care facility’s failure to apply preventive strategies contributed to a residentʼs fall.
Potential Recoverable Damages
After establishing that a resident fell as a result of the negligence of a New Orleans nursing home or its staff, the court typically awards damages within two categories. Economic damages are the verifiable expenditures and losses you paid after the accident, such as hospital bills, lost pay, and ongoing medical services.
Non-economic injuries are more challenging to prove, but refer to the lasting adverse effects on your life, such as trauma leading to anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. It also includes payment for chronic pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disabilities, and egregious conduct.
Contact an Attorney for Legal Guidance After an Avoidable Fall in Your or Your Loved One’s Nursing Home in New Orleans
If you trusted a nursing home center or long-term care facility to care for someone you love and they betrayed that trust, you must take action and hold them responsible. While accidents do occur, these medical institutions are highly regulated and expected to take all necessary steps to avoid falls and patient injury.
At Sangisetty Law Firm, our lawyers understand the stress and shock families face in the aftermath of falls in New Orleans nursing homes, and we provide sound guidance, support, and legal advice. We serve clients throughout the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.