Northern California Nursing Home Slip and Fall Lawyers
Nursing Home Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
The leading type of accident in a nursing home, slip and fall accidents account for more than 100 reported falls each year in a typical 100-bed home, and account for more than 10 percent of serious injuries for residents, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The elderly are at high-risk for serious slip and fall accident injuries because of age-related factors such as limited mobility, reduced visibility and depth perception. State regulations obligate nursing homes and their caregivers to provide adequate supervision and devices that assist residents in getting around to prevent a serious injury. Unfortunately, this duty is frequently neglected. A northern California slip and fall accident lawyer at the law firm of Estey Bomberger will work diligently for residents who have been a victim of negligence or recklessness by a nursing home. Our nursing home abuse attorneys are sensitive to the needs of the nursing home resident, some of who may not have the physical or mental ability to defend their legal rights. One of our skilled attorneys may be able to recover health care costs for residents who have suffered a slip and fall accident injury or funeral expenses for family members who have lost a loved one in a preventable slip and fall accident.
Causes of Nursing Home Slip and Fall AccidentsÂ
The causes of a nursing home slip and fall accident include:
Environmental factors - broken tiles, torn or loose carpeting, slippery or wet surfaces, food spills, non-uniform steps, slopes or elevation changes, obstructed pathways, inadequate handrails, and poorly lit walkways.
Age-related factors - reduced vision and depth perception, foot disorders, limited mobility and range of motion, incontinence, mental disorders (dementia, Alzheimer’s and depression) and loss of alertness.
Medication factors - residents require new medication, sometimes multiple medications, with varying doses and side effects that are individual specific. Antihypersensitive, antidepressants, antipsychotic and antidiabetic drugs may impair motor activities, and lead to dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.
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Types of Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
When an elderly person falls, they are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 8 times more likely to die as a result, shows a study published by American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Head trauma is the most common cause of slip and fall traumatic injuries and of these, 46 percent are to blame for the deaths of older Americans. Hip fractures are a serious concern for elderly residents, who may not always handle the extensive surgery and hospital stays well. In fact, one-fourth of elderly residents who sustain a hip fracture die within 6 months of the injury, reports the AAFP. Slip and fall accidents in nursing homes can also cause the following injuries:
- Spinal cord injury
- Scrapes/cuts
- Lacerations
- Sprains
- Soft tissue damage
- Dislocation
- Fractures/broken bones
- Wrongful death.
Free Consultation with a Nursing Home Slip and Fall Attorney
If you suspect that your loved one’s injuries were caused by the careless or negligent acts of a nursing home or nursing home employee, you should consult a northern California nursing home abuse attorney at Estey Bomberger. We want to speak with you about the circumstances regarding the injury and determine if we can assist you in protecting the legal rights of your family member. Our consultations are free and we will not charge you any hidden fees. Call our firm at (800) 890-6722, before it is too late to see justice served.