Nursing Home Falls Can Cause Severe Head Injuries

Falls by nursing home residents are, unfortunately, not uncommon. Injuries from falls by nursing home residents include fractures and bruising, while more serious injuries include head and brain trauma.

The average nursing home resident will suffer 2.6 falls per year. Between 10% and 20% of nursing home falls result in serious injuries, including head and brain injuries. According to the CDC, approximately 1,800 nursing home residents die every year as a result of falls.

Nursing home residents may fall while:

• Being transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or other assistive device
• Going to the bathroom
• Navigating public or private areas of the facility
• Getting into or out of a bath or shower
• Attempting to reach items on a shelf
• Walking or grass or sidewalks at the facility

A fall in a nursing home can be a sign of abuse or neglect, and should be reported as soon as it is discovered. If the nursing home resident suffered a head injury, the injury should be reported to nursing staff and close relatives.

Many falls can be prevented through adequate supervision and the use of assistive devices like walkers, wheelchairs, and lifts when transferring patients. Using proper equipment can mean the difference between a smooth patient transfer and an injured patient.

Unfortunately, when elderly nursing home patients suffer head injuries, they may lead to brain injuries, disability, and even death.

Head injuries are one of the most severe consequences of a fall by an elderly person. When nursing home residents fall, their head may hit hard tile or linoleum flooring, resulting in injuries to the head and neck, as well as a concussion and traumatic brain injury.

Symptoms of Head Injuries Among Nursing Home Residents

Head injuries can be difficult to recognize. This is even more the case with elderly patients, as symptoms of a traumatic head injury could be similar to other symptoms.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, your family member may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, and you should seek additional medical care immediately:

• Loss of consciousness
• Cuts, bruising, or other wounds, especially on the head
• Short-term memory loss
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Neck pain
• Vomiting or nausea
• Slowed reaction time
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Difficulty speaking
• Emotional changes
• Disrupted sleep patterns

Traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term health consequences, including post-concussive syndrome, epilepsy, and cognitive impairment.

Did a Loved One Suffer a Head Injury After a Fall? A Lawyer Can Help

In many cases, a fall by a nursing home resident indicates that there are deeper, systemic problems at the nursing home facility. An experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can investigate and analyze the circumstances surrounding the fall and use federal and state statutes and regulations to hold the nursing home accountable.

If a nursing home resident suffers a head injury as a result of a fall, the nursing home may be responsible for paying:

• For emergency medical care and ambulance transportation
• Surgeries, pain medication, and other on-going medical needs
• Adaptive mobility equipment to reduce the risk of future falls
• Cognitive and behavioral therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disability
• Costs associated with wrongful death

If you believe someone you care about suffered a head injury as a result of a fall in a nursing home, contact an experienced Ohio nursing home negligence attorney as soon as possible.

At Robenalt Law, our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers have the experience, resources, and expertise to hold nursing homes accountable.

Contact Robenalt Law today by calling 216-233-7573, email trobenalt@rbenaltlaw.com, or complete our online form.

Tom Robenalt started his litigation career representing nursing homes at a large firm in Cleveland. For the past 25 years, he has used that experience to help victims and the families of those injured by negligent health care providers.