New Jersey Nursing Home Slip and Fall Lawyers

If your family member suffered a slip and fall accident while staying at a nursing home, you may want to contact our New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers at Davis & Brusca, LLC. Your family may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the nursing home and protect your loved one’s rights.

Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

Elderly people are more likely to sustain serious injuries in slip and fall accidents than their younger counterparts because they tend to have weaker bones and limited mobility. Here are some common slip and fall accident injuries.

• Traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most serious injuries an elderly person can suffer in a slip and fall accident. Seniors who hit their head during the fall may be more likely to sustain these injuries. Unfortunately, older individuals with traumatic brain injuries typically heal much slower than younger individuals with serious injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can negatively impact memory, speech, cognitive function and behavior.

• Lacerations. Elderly individuals also have a higher chance of suffering lacerations during a slip and fall accident because they have more fragile skin. They may sustain lacerations if their skin hits a sharp object during a fall. Lacerations can cause immense pain and increase the risk of infection. If the laceration is deep enough, it can result in permanent scarring.

• Broken bones. As New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers can confirm, seniors can sustain broken bones during a slip and fall accident. They can break bones in their arms, legs, hips and other body parts. Since many seniors have weaker bones, they may take a long time to recover from a broken bone. They may even require surgical procedures and long-term rehabilitation.

How to Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents in Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are responsible for keeping their residents safe. If they fail to do that and someone gets hurt, they can be held liable. Here are different ways nursing home staff members can prevent slip and fall accidents.

• Clean up spills immediately. Food and liquid spills are bound to happen in nursing homes from time to time, especially in the cafeteria. However, spills are one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in nursing homes. That is why staff members should clean up spills right away.

• Remove clutter and obstacles. Seniors tend to have worse balance than their younger counterparts, so every small obstacle can increase the risk of a fall. To reduce falls, nursing homes should frequently clear away clutter on the floors and remove obstacles, such as torn carpeting.

• Provide mobility aids. Many seniors can reduce their risk of falls by utilizing mobility aids, like walkers and canes. Nursing homes should provide these mobility aids for residents.

If your loved one was hurt in a slip and fall accident in a nursing home, schedule a consultation with our New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers from Davis & Brusca, LLC today.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Nursing home slip and fall accidents are a significant problem in New Jersey and throughout the United States, and they can cause serious injuries to residents. Slip and fall accidents can occur for many reasons, but some of the most common causes of these accidents in nursing homes include:

1. Environmental Hazards: Environmental hazards, such as wet or slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or loose carpets, can cause slip and fall accidents. Nursing homes have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for their residents, and failure to do so can lead to accidents.
2. Poor Lighting: Poor lighting in nursing homes can make it difficult for residents to see potential hazards, such as obstacles in their path or changes in elevation. This can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents, especially in areas such as hallways or staircases.
3. Medication Side Effects: Some medications can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or impaired balance, which can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. Nursing homes have a responsibility to monitor residents for any medication side effects and adjust medications as necessary to prevent accidents.
4. Physical Limitations: Many nursing home residents have physical limitations that make them more prone to slip and fall accidents. For example, residents with mobility issues or balance problems may be more likely to fall. 
5. Inadequate Staffing: Inadequate staffing in nursing homes can lead to neglect or a lack of supervision, which can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. When there are not enough staff members to monitor residents and respond to their needs, accidents can occur. Davis & Brusca has helped many people with these types of cases with the help of our New Jersey Nursing Home slip and fall Lawyers.
6. Lack of Assistive Devices: Some nursing home residents require assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, to move around safely. When these devices are not available or are not used properly, the risk of slip and fall accidents increases.
7. Lack of Staff Training: Nursing home staff members must be trained to identify potential hazards and take steps to prevent slip and fall accidents. When staff members are not properly trained, they may not be able to identify hazards or may not know how to respond to accidents when they occur.

Other Causes

In addition to these causes, slip and fall accidents in nursing homes can also occur due to neglect or abuse. In some cases, nursing home staff members may intentionally create hazardous conditions or fail to provide necessary care, which can lead to slip and fall accidents. New Jersey Nursing Home slip and fall Lawyers from our firm have helped many clients who have had loved ones unfortunately abused at their nursing home. 

Professional Help

It is important for nursing homes to take steps to prevent slip and fall accidents by maintaining a safe environment, properly training staff members, providing necessary assistive devices, and monitoring residents for any potential hazards. If you or a loved one has been injured in a nursing home slip and fall accident, it would be helpful to consult with New Jersey Nursing Home slip and fall Lawyers from Davis & Brusca to discuss your legal options. An attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other damages.

What to Do if Your Elderly Loved Is Injured

Nursing homes are meant to be a safe haven for elderly people who require constant medical care and attention as New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers know. However, the reality is far from this, and accidents in nursing homes are common occurrences. These accidents can cause serious injuries and even be life-threatening for the elderly, so it is important to know what to do if this happens. If your elderly loved one is living in a nursing home and experiences a slip and fall accident, contact a lawyer at Davis & Brusca, LLC for help.

The first step when you receive news of a slip and fall accident is to assess the situation. Get as much information as possible about the location of the accident, time, and any witnesses present. If possible, go to the nursing home and see your loved one’s condition for yourself.

If your loved one is seriously injured, seek medical attention immediately. The nursing home should have a protocol in place for such emergencies, so ensure that the staff is handling the situation correctly. However, negligence in the nursing home may have caused the accident and may still be present, so it is best to keep track of what is happening so you can enforce medical help if necessary.

Record everything you know and see regarding your loved one’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the accident. Take photographs of the location where the accident took place and request any reports regarding the incident from the nursing home’s management. In addition, maintain a record of all expenses incurred, including medical bills and other related expenses.

One of the most crucial steps in ensuring that your loved one receives justice and proper care is holding the nursing home accountable for the accident. If you think your loved one’s fall was due to neglect or inadequate care, consult with New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers who can help you with a suit. Remember, you have rights, and your attorney can represent your loved one’s interests in the case.

Finally, it is essential to consider alternative accommodation options for your loved one if you do not trust the nursing home or the management involved. Research different facilities and services that specialize in eldercare to ensure that your loved one receives the attention and care they need.

In conclusion, slip and fall accidents in nursing homes are serious issues that require immediate attention and action. By following the above steps, you will be better equipped to handle such situations and secure justice and proper medical care for your loved one. Remember, you have rights and the nursing home should be held accountable if they go against their obligation to provide the highest standard of care. Contact New Jersey nursing home slip and fall lawyers at Davis & Brusca, LLC if necessary, for they are experienced advocates who can help you lead the charge for protecting your aged loved one.