Get the Legal Representation You Need from a Sarasota Nursing Home Law Firm
If your relative has fallen in a nursing home, a Sarasota nursing home law firm understands that sometimes the home can be liable for damages. The most common cause of injury in people 65 and older are falls. Surprisingly, that percentage increases in nursing homes. Only five percent of adults 65 years of age and older live in nursing homes, but 20 percent of all fall deaths occur to residents of nursing homes. Shockingly, 50 to 75 percent of all nursing home residents will fall each year. Some will fall multiple times. Nearly 2,000 seniors die each year from injuries sustained in nursing home falls, and many others will suffer serious injuries to the head or hip.
Age-Related Reasons for Falls
Falls are unfortunately a natural part of growing older, as our bodies predictably deteriorate. The following are common occurrences due to aging that affect falls:
- Brittle bones
- Muscles losing strength
- Worsening eyesight
Because of this risk, nursing homes need to take extra precautions.
Environmental Factors
That said, a Sarasota nursing home law firm knows that roughly 25 percent of these falls are caused by environmental hazards at the home:
- Poor lighting
- Wet floors
- Improperly adjusted beds
Nursing homes often fail to take the following preventative measures which can cause falls:
- Installing grab bars and handrails in hallways
- Installing non-slip floor mats in showers and bathtubs
- Repairing and maintaining uneven or cracked walkways
- Fastening rugs to floors so they don’t slip
- Making sure stair edges are brightly colored
- Making sure walkways are well lit
- Placing furniture and electrical cords out of way to prevent tripping hazards
One method commonly used by nursing homes, restraints, is actually one of the least effective. Using restraints to prevent falls encourages muscle weakness, which is a major contributor to falls. Nursing home patients should be encouraged to continue developing and maintaining muscle tone, not allowing their muscles to atrophy further.
Get Legal Assistance Now
If your family member was injured in a nursing home fall, contact Sarasota nursing home law firm Giroux & Associates Inc at (727) 895-5399 and see if the accident was preventable, and if you or your family member is entitled to compensation.