Around 14 million people over the age of 64 fall each year in the United States, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for this demographic. This is a significant concern for nursing home residents, which is why facility staff and caregivers should take every necessary precaution to prevent falls from harming patients. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents are injured by falls, some of which are caused by negligence and abuse from caregivers.

If your loved one has been injured by a fall caused by their nursing home, the Waterbury attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you hold the facility accountable for their role in the injury. We have over a century of combined experience helping nursing home residents seek justice and compensation for injuries caused by abuse and neglect.

What Causes Falls in Waterbury Nursing Homes?

Aging adults can fall for a variety of reasons, many of which could have been prevented by the staff in charge of protecting and caring for them. The most common causes of falls in nursing homes are:

  • Understaffed facilities: Connecticut has staff-to-resident ratios that must be maintained to ensure each patient receives the appropriate level of care. Nursing homes who violate these policies are endangering their residents and could be held liable for injuries.
  • Inadequate supervision: nursing homes are responsible for providing appropriate levels of supervision to each resident. The necessary amount of supervision will vary from patient to patient, with higher levels required for any residents who are at an increased risk of falling.
  • Lack of proper mobility aids: when residents who require mobility aids do not have access to appropriate assistive tools, their risk of falls increases. Devices like walkers, canes, wheelchairs, braces, appropriate footwear, and other items are essential to prevent falls.
  • A failure to properly care plan for fall risks
  • A failure to determine the root cause of a prior fall and implement proper fall prevention measures to prevent future falls

Other causes of falls in nursing homes are:

  • Unsafe conditions, such as slippery floors or debris in hallways
  • Medication mistakes
  • Missing individualized fall prevention strategies

Reasons to Contact a Nursing Home Fall Lawyer in Waterbury, CT

Elderly nursing home residents can experience severe and life-threatening injuries from falling, including:

  • Broken bones
  • Hip fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Brain bleeds
  • Bruising
  • Lacerations
  • Spine injuries
  • Complications of existing conditions
  • Death

If your aging loved one has fallen in a Waterbury nursing home, they may benefit from having an attorney help them hold the facility liable for their injuries. A nursing home negligence and abuse lawyer can provide invaluable assistance by:

  • Investigating the nursing home
  • Gathering and preserving evidence
  • Determining liability for the fall
  • Filing an injury claim
  • Negotiating to reach a settlement
  • Preparing your case for litigation
  • Presenting your case in court if necessary

The nursing home falls attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have over a century of combined experience helping clients in Waterbury fight for justice after suffering neglect and abuse. We have in-depth knowledge and understanding of Connecticut’s laws and regulations that govern nursing homes and their treatment of residents, making us powerful allies for the aging population in Waterbury. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our nursing home neglect attorneys.