For Connecticut residents who are older or who have certain medical conditions, any fall can lead to a serious injuries, including hip, leg, arm and other bone fractures. For example, among those over 65, falling is the most common cause of spinal cord injuries.
In nursing homes, the problem is even more serious than in the community at large. Of these falls, up to 1 out of 5 cause injuries the Society of Trauma Nurses describes as serious. The society reported 1,800 nursing home deaths connected with a fall each year.
Many nursing home falls are preventable
Nursing homes have an obligation to be on the lookout for signs a person could fall suddenly, especially if they have a history of falling and are considered a fall risk. The whole concept of a nursing home is that it is supposed to be a place where elders can live in comfort and safety. This means making necessary and reasonable efforts to eliminate any and all hazards, including the chance of slipping and falling.
Nursing home falls quite frankly should not happen if the nursing home’s personnel are being careful and keeping up with the property. Up to 27% of all falls happen because of improper assistance with a resident, wet floors, mechanical problems or some other error or oversight that a careful nursing home would catch and correct before it is too late.
A family whose loved one suffers a broken bones or other serious injuries in addition to fractures after a fall at a nursing home has every right to be concerned. Nursing homes in Connecticut have an obligation to keep their residents safe. If they fail to do so, the family could have legal claims against the home.