Arlington Heights Attorneys for Nursing Home Residents Injured in Falls 

Injury Lawyers in Cook County for Nursing Home Neglect

When you entrust the care of an elderly family member or loved one to a skilled nursing facility or a long-term care center, you assume that your loved one will be treated with dignity, compassion, and a high level of professionalism. After all, that is the intended purpose of nursing homes and similar facilities. Sadly, the healthcare industry throughout the United States often fails to live up to expected standards, and incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect are alarmingly common. In order to increase profits, many nursing facilities have cut costs to the point where their ability to provide appropriate care for patients has been compromised.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that falls are among the leading causes of injuries for the elderly and that falls can happen anywhere. When a nursing home patient is injured in a fall, however, the cause could be related to negligence by the home or staff members. If your loved one has sustained an injury in a nursing home fall, our attorneys can help you explore your options for taking action.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls

As we get older, our risk of falling increases in just about every situation. Even walking around our own homes becomes more dangerous. In addition, an aging body is also less equipped to endure a fall without being injured. Residents of nursing homes, in particular, are often even more prone to falling than the average individual is, and it is the responsibility of the facility and its staff to take appropriate precautions to prevent falls.

A patient in a nursing home could be injured in falls caused by:

• Slippery or wet floors;
• Lighting that creates confusing shadows or glare;
• Equipment or objects on floors;
• Being dropped by staff while moving from a bed to a chair or vice versa;
• Side effects of necessary medications;
• Canes, walkers, or walking aids that are improperly maintained;
• Bathing or showering without supervision; and
• Overexertion.

A patient who has been left alone for too long could also be at risk for a fall. If your loved one needs help getting in or out of bed, for example, he or she may be unable to wait for a staff member if he or she has to use the bathroom. Your loved one could try to get out of bed without assistance, which could lead to a fall in which your loved one is seriously injured. Depending on the situation, it could be hours before a staff member realizes that your loved one has fallen, by which time the injuries could have become even worse or possibly fatal.

Trusted Counsel for Injury-Causing Falls in Lake County and DuPage County

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we understand that not every fall in a nursing home is caused by neglect by the facility or staff. When negligence is suspected, however, we know that the nursing home and staff members may become uncooperative in determining the true cause of the fall. If your loved one has fallen and suffered an injury while under the care of a nursing home, our attorneys will work hard to determine exactly what happened and who may be liable for his or her injuries. We will investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall and build a case designed to get you and your loved one just compensation.

To learn more about our firm and our proven approach to nursing home fall cases, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation and case review today. Our experienced lawyers serve clients in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Cook County, and throughout Northern Illinois.